The IRS is your first call for federal refunds, but the number and wait time depend on what you need

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) handles federal tax refunds. You can reach them at 1-800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are longest in the morning and during tax season (January through April), so calling in the afternoon or after April usually means a shorter hold.

Before you call, have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return ready. The IRS phone line can tell you whether your refund has been processed, when it will arrive, and what method it will use (direct deposit, check, or debit card). If your refund is delayed or missing, they can also flag your account for investigation.

The IRS also offers Where's My Refund?, a free online tool at irs.gov that updates once per day. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount, and it shows your refund status without waiting on hold. This tool is faster than calling if you just need a status update.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for federal refunds; use Where's My Refund? online first if you only need a status check.
  • State tax refunds go through your state revenue or taxation department, not the IRS — find the number on your state's tax website.
  • If the IRS says your refund was sent but you never received it, contact your bank or the U.S. Postal Service depending on your delivery method.
  • The Taxpayer Advocate Service is free and can escalate your case if the IRS is not responding or you believe an error was made.
  • Keep your tax return copy and any IRS letters; they prove what you reported and help resolve disputes faster.

State tax refunds require calling your state revenue department, not the IRS

Each state runs its own tax refund system. The IRS does not handle state refunds, so calling the federal number will not help. You need to contact your state's revenue, taxation, or department of finance office — the name varies by state.

Find your state's tax refund phone number on your state's official tax website. For example, California uses the Franchise Tax Board (ftb.ca.gov), New York uses the Department of Taxation and Finance (tax.ny.gov), and Texas has no state income tax. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to land on the official site quickly. State offices also offer online status tools similar to the IRS's Where's My Refund?

State refunds often move on a different timeline than federal refunds. Some states process refunds faster; others take longer. If you filed both federal and state returns, your federal refund may arrive weeks before or after your state refund.

What to do if your refund was sent but never arrived

If the IRS or your state confirms your refund was sent but you did not receive it, the next step depends on how it was delivered. Direct deposit refunds go to the bank account you listed on your return. Call your bank and ask whether the deposit arrived and posted to your account. If the bank shows no record of the deposit, ask them to trace it — they can contact the IRS or state on your behalf and request a replacement check or a second deposit attempt.

For check refunds, contact the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 or file a claim at usps.com if the check was lost in the mail. The IRS or state can also issue a replacement check if you report it missing. This usually takes two to four weeks.

For debit card refunds (some states and the IRS use prepaid cards), contact the card issuer's customer service number on the back of the card or on your refund notice. They can confirm whether the funds were loaded and help you access them if there was a technical issue.

When to contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is a free IRS office that helps when you are stuck or believe the IRS made an error. You do not need a lawyer or tax professional to use it. Contact TAS if:

  • The IRS has not processed your refund after the normal timeline (21 days for direct deposit, up to 28 days for checks).
  • You called the IRS multiple times and received conflicting information.
  • The IRS says your refund was sent, but your bank or the postal service found no record of it.
  • You believe the IRS made a calculation error on your return.

Reach TAS at 1-877-777-4778, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. You can also visit taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov to request help online. TAS will assign a case worker to investigate and can often resolve issues faster than the main IRS line because they have direct access to your account and can escalate within the agency.

What information to have ready before you call

Gather these documents before calling the IRS, your state, or TAS:

  • Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
  • Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.).
  • The exact refund amount shown on your tax return.
  • A copy of your filed tax return (Form 1040 and any schedules you attached).
  • Any IRS or state letters you received about your return.
  • Your bank account number and routing number if you chose direct deposit.

Having this information ready shortens your call and helps the representative locate your account and refund status immediately. If you do not have your return copy, you can order a transcript from the IRS at irs.gov/transcripts or by calling 1-800-908-9946.

How long refunds typically take and when to worry

The IRS aims to issue refunds within 21 days of receiving your return if you chose direct deposit. Checks take up to 28 days. State refunds vary: some states process within two weeks, others take four to six weeks. These timelines assume your return was filed correctly and no issues were found.

Refunds take longer if the IRS or state needs to verify information, if you claimed certain credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit), or if there was a discrepancy between your return and your employer's W-2 or 1099 forms. The IRS will send you a letter if they need more information.

If your refund has not arrived after the stated timeline, use Where's My Refund? or your state's status tool to check whether it is still processing. If the tool says it was sent but you did not receive it, that is when you call the IRS, your state, or TAS to trace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call the IRS to speed up my refund?

No. The IRS processes refunds in the order they were received, and calling does not move you ahead in the queue. Calling is useful only if your refund is delayed beyond the normal timeline, if you need to report a missing refund, or if you believe an error was made on your return.

What if I filed my return through a tax preparation company like TurboTax or H&R Block?

The tax company files your return with the IRS or state on your behalf, but they do not process the refund. You still contact the IRS or your state directly to check refund status. The tax company can help you understand your return, but they cannot speed up or retrieve your refund.

Do I need to pay to call the IRS or TAS?

No. The IRS phone line (1-800-829-1040) and the Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778) are both free. Be cautious of third-party services that charge fees to help you contact the IRS — you can always call directly at no cost.

What if I moved after filing and the IRS sent my check to my old address?

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your address changed. They can issue a replacement check or redirect your refund if it has not been cashed yet. You can also file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, which may forward the check to your new address, though this is not may provide for government checks.

Can I call about a refund from a previous year?

Yes. Use Where's My Refund? or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide the year you filed. The IRS keeps records for seven years. If your refund was issued more than a year ago and you never received it, the IRS can investigate whether it was cashed or lost.