Start by checking the IRS Where's My Refund tool

The first step is to find out whether the IRS actually sent your refund or whether it is still processing. Go to irs.gov/refunds and use the Where's My Refund tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return.

The tool shows one of four statuses: your return is still being processed, your refund has been approved and a payment date has been set, your refund was sent on a specific date, or there is a problem with your return. If the tool says your refund was sent more than 21 days ago and you have not received it, move to the next step. If it says your return is still processing, wait — the IRS processes most returns within 21 days of receipt, though some take longer.

Write down the date the tool says your refund was sent and the payment method (direct deposit or check). You will need this information if you have to contact the IRS.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool tells you whether your refund was sent and when; check it before contacting anyone.
  • If your refund was sent by direct deposit more than five business days ago, contact your bank to see if it was rejected or sent to the wrong account.
  • If your refund was sent by check more than 21 days ago, request a replacement check through the IRS or your state tax authority.
  • If the Where's My Refund tool shows a problem with your return, the IRS will mail you a notice explaining what is wrong and what to do next.
  • Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 only after you have checked the tool and confirmed the refund was sent; wait times are long and the tool answers most questions faster.

If your refund was sent by direct deposit, check with your bank

Direct deposit refunds usually land in your account within three to five business days after the IRS sends them. If the Where's My Refund tool says your refund was sent by direct deposit more than five business days ago and you do not see it in your account, contact your bank.

Tell the bank the date the IRS says it sent the refund and ask whether the deposit was rejected or sent to the wrong account. Banks reject direct deposits for several reasons: the account number or routing number on your tax return was wrong, the account was closed, or the account holder's name did not match the name on the return. If the bank says the deposit was rejected, ask them to tell you why. Write down the reason and the bank's reference number.

If your bank confirms the deposit was rejected, you will need to request a replacement check from the IRS. See the section below on replacement checks.

If your refund was sent by check, file a claim with the IRS

Paper checks take longer than direct deposit — usually 21 days or more from the date the IRS sends them. If the Where's My Refund tool says your check was sent more than 21 days ago and you have not received it, the check may have been lost, stolen, or sent to the wrong address.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your refund check never arrived. Have ready the date the tool said the check was sent and the amount. The IRS will file a claim and issue a replacement check, which usually takes four to six weeks. You can also request a replacement check by mail: fill out Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) and send it to the IRS address for your state, which is listed on the form itself.

Do not cash the original check if it arrives after you have requested a replacement. If both arrive, you must return one to the IRS or you may face a penalty.

If the Where's My Refund tool shows a problem with your return

Sometimes the tool will not show a refund status at all, or it will say there is an issue with your return. In these cases, the IRS has likely mailed you a notice explaining the problem. Check your mail for a letter from the IRS — it usually arrives within two weeks of when you filed.

Common problems include a mismatch between the name or Social Security number on your return and IRS records, a missing or incorrect bank account number for direct deposit, or a claim that conflicts with another return (for example, if two people claim the same dependent). The notice will tell you what the problem is and how to fix it. Follow the instructions in the notice exactly.

If you do not receive a notice within three weeks and the tool still shows no refund status, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your return and the tool's message ready.

If you filed a state tax return, check your state refund separately

Your federal refund and your state refund are separate. If your federal refund arrived but your state refund did not, you need to track your state refund through your state's tax authority, not the IRS.

Most states have their own refund tracking tool on their tax department website. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find it. State refunds sometimes take longer than federal refunds — some states take four to eight weeks. If your state refund was sent more than that time ago, contact your state tax department directly. The phone number is on your state tax return or on the state's website.

What to do if the IRS says your refund was sent but your bank says it never arrived

This situation usually means the direct deposit was rejected by your bank. Ask your bank for the rejection reason in writing — they can provide this as a letter or email. Once you have the reason, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and explain what happened. The IRS will issue a replacement check instead.

If your bank cannot find any record of a rejected deposit, the refund may have been sent to a different account. This can happen if you changed banks between filing and receiving the refund, or if you gave the IRS the wrong account number. The IRS can sometimes trace where the deposit went. Call 1-800-829-1040 with the date the refund was sent and ask them to investigate.

How to avoid this problem next year

Double-check your bank account number and routing number before you file. A single wrong digit sends the refund to the wrong account or causes a rejection. If you change banks during tax season, update your direct deposit information with your new bank and consider requesting a check instead of direct deposit to avoid delays.

Keep a copy of your filed return and the confirmation that the IRS received it. If something goes wrong, you will need to prove what you filed and when.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait before I assume my refund is lost?

If the Where's My Refund tool says your refund was sent by direct deposit, wait five business days. If it says your refund was sent by check, wait 21 days. After that, contact your bank (for direct deposit) or the IRS (for a check).

Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS instead of waiting?

No. The Where's My Refund tool gives you the same information the IRS phone line does, and it is faster. Call only if the tool shows a problem or if your refund was sent more than the expected time ago and you need to file a claim.

What if I moved after I filed my tax return?

If you filed electronically with direct deposit, your address does not matter — the refund goes to your bank account. If you filed by mail or requested a check, the IRS will send it to the address on your return. If you moved, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your new address and ask them to reissue the check to the correct location.

Will I get interest if the IRS is late sending my refund?

Yes, but only if the IRS is significantly late. The IRS must send your refund within 45 days of receiving your return. If it does not, you are owed interest at a rate set by the IRS each quarter. The interest is added to your refund automatically — you do not have to request it.

What if someone else cashed my refund check?

Contact your bank immediately and report the check as stolen or fraudulent. Your bank can investigate and may reverse the charge. Also file a report with the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040. The IRS can issue a replacement check once the fraud is documented.