Check the IRS tracking tool first, then contact the IRS if it's overdue

If you filed your tax return and expected a refund but haven't received it, start by checking the status through the IRS's Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. This tool shows you whether the IRS has processed your return, approved your refund, and sent it out. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If it shows your refund was approved and sent more than 21 days ago (or more than 28 days if you filed by mail), contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Have your return in front of you when you call. The IRS can tell you whether the money was sent by check or direct deposit, and if it was sent, where it went.

If the tool shows no information about your return at all, and you filed more than 21 days ago, your return may not have been received or processed yet. This happens most often with paper returns or returns filed by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov is the fastest way to find out whether your refund was processed and sent.
  • If the tool shows your refund was sent more than 21 days ago and you haven't received it, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to trace the payment.
  • A lost or stolen check can be replaced by the IRS, but you must report it within one year of the refund date.
  • If your refund was offset to pay a debt (child support, student loans, or back taxes), the IRS will have notified you by mail before taking the money.
  • Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within three to five business days of approval, but delays can happen if your bank information was incorrect on your return.

Why your refund might be delayed

The IRS processes most returns within 21 days of receipt. However, several things can slow this down. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until mid-February, even if your return is processed earlier. This applies whether you filed in January or in April.

Your return can also be delayed if the IRS needs to verify information on it. This happens when your income doesn't match what employers or banks reported to the IRS, when you claim dependents the IRS can't match to Social Security numbers, or when there are math errors. The IRS will mail you a notice if this happens—it doesn't contact you by phone or email first.

If you filed a paper return by mail, processing takes longer than e-filed returns. The IRS currently has a backlog of paper returns, and some are taking several months to process. If you mailed your return, check the Where's My Refund tool; if it shows nothing after 21 days, your return may still be in the mail sorting queue.

What to do if your check was lost or stolen

If the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was sent by check more than 21 days ago and you never received it, the check may have been lost in the mail or stolen. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your return information. The IRS can issue a replacement check, but you must report the missing check within one year of the refund date.

The IRS will ask you to wait 60 days from the original refund date before issuing a replacement, to give the original check time to arrive. If you cannot wait, you can request a replacement sooner, but you may be asked to sign a form stating you have not received the original check.

Once you report the missing check, the IRS will mail you a replacement. This replacement check typically arrives within two to four weeks. Write down the date you called and the name of the IRS representative you spoke with, in case you need to follow up.

Direct deposit refunds that don't arrive

If you chose direct deposit and the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was sent, but the money never appeared in your bank account, the problem is usually incorrect bank information on your return. The most common mistakes are transposed account numbers, routing numbers that don't match the account type (checking versus savings), or routing numbers for a bank branch that no longer exists.

Call your bank first and ask whether they received a deposit attempt from the IRS. If they did, they can tell you what happened—whether the account number was wrong, whether the account was closed, or whether the deposit was rejected for another reason. Banks keep records of rejected deposits for a limited time, so call within a few weeks of your expected refund date.

If your bank confirms they rejected the deposit, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS can reissue your refund by check instead, or in some cases by a new direct deposit if you can provide corrected bank information. A replacement refund by check takes two to four weeks to arrive.

Offsets and other reasons your refund was reduced or withheld

If the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was approved but for less than you expected, or if you received no refund at all, your money may have been offset—taken to pay a debt. The IRS offsets refunds to cover unpaid federal income taxes, child support arrears, student loan defaults, or state income tax debt. Other federal agencies can also request an offset for debts like overpaid unemployment benefits.

The IRS is required to notify you by mail before offsetting your refund. This notice, called a "Notice of Offset," arrives before your refund is sent. If you did not receive this notice, check your mail carefully—it may have arrived weeks before your refund was processed. The notice explains what debt was offset and which agency is holding the money.

If you believe the offset was wrong—for example, if you already paid the debt, or if the debt belongs to someone else—you must contact the agency that holds the debt, not the IRS. For child support, contact your state's child support enforcement office. For student loans, contact your loan servicer. For state taxes, contact your state tax authority. The IRS cannot reverse an offset; only the creditor agency can.

If the IRS says they never received your return

If you filed by mail and the Where's My Refund tool shows no record of your return after 21 days, the IRS may not have received it. Mail delays happen, especially during tax season. Wait until day 21 has passed, then call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm.

If the IRS confirms they have no record of your return, you have two options. You can file an amended return electronically (Form 1040-X), which will be processed much faster than mailing another paper return. Or you can file a new return by mail, but include a cover letter explaining that this is a duplicate filing and that the original may still be in transit. Keep a copy of everything you send.

If you originally mailed your return with a check for taxes owed, and the IRS never received it, that check may have been lost too. Do not send another check in the mail. Instead, file electronically and pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer through the IRS payment system at irs.gov/payments.

State income tax refunds that are delayed

If you're waiting for a state income tax refund, not a federal one, the process is different. Each state runs its own tax system and has its own timeline. Most states process refunds within 30 to 60 days, but some take longer. Check your state tax authority's website for a refund tracking tool—most states have one similar to the IRS's Where's My Refund.

State refunds are sometimes delayed because the state is waiting for federal processing to finish, especially if you claimed credits that depend on federal information. If your federal refund was delayed, your state refund may be delayed too. Once your federal refund is processed, your state refund usually follows within one to two weeks.

If your state refund is overdue, contact your state tax authority directly. The phone number and website are on your state tax return or on the state's tax agency website. Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait before calling the IRS about a missing refund?

Wait at least 21 days after you filed your return before calling. The IRS Where's My Refund tool updates daily and will tell you if your refund is still being processed. If the tool shows your refund was sent more than 21 days ago, call 1-800-829-1040 immediately.

Can the IRS send my refund to a different bank account if the original deposit was rejected?

Yes, but only if you provide corrected account information. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your correct routing and account numbers. The IRS can reissue your refund by direct deposit to the new account, though a check is often faster. A replacement refund typically takes two to four weeks to arrive.

What if I filed my return but the IRS says they have no record of it?

If you filed by mail, your return may still be in the processing queue—the IRS has a backlog of paper returns. Wait until day 21 has passed, then call 1-800-829-1040 to confirm. If the IRS has no record, file an amended return electronically instead, which processes much faster than mailing another paper return.

Why did my refund get smaller than I expected?

Your refund was likely offset to pay a debt—unpaid taxes, child support, student loans, or unemployment overpayment. The IRS mails a notice before offsetting your refund. If you believe the offset was wrong, contact the agency holding the debt directly, not the IRS. The IRS cannot reverse an offset.

Is there a phone number I can call that's faster than 1-800-829-1040?

No. The main IRS line at 1-800-829-1040 is the only number for refund status questions. Wait times are longest in February and March. Call early in the morning or later in the afternoon to reach someone faster. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready before you call.