Start with the IRS Where's My Refund tool

Before you call anyone, check the status of your refund using the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. This tool tells you whether the IRS has processed your return, approved your refund, and sent it out. You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return to use it.

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If it says your refund is still being processed, wait — most refunds take 21 days from the date you filed, though some take longer if the IRS needs to verify information on your return. If it says your refund was sent but you haven't received it, the next step depends on how the IRS sent it.

Key Takeaways

  • Check Where's My Refund at irs.gov first to see whether the IRS has sent your refund and how it was sent.
  • If the IRS sent your refund by direct deposit, contact your bank to confirm they received it; if they did, the money is yours even if you don't see it yet.
  • If the IRS mailed a paper check and you haven't received it after 21 days from the sent date, request a replacement check by calling the IRS or filing Form 3911.
  • The IRS phone line is 800-829-1040; wait times are longest in April and May, so call early in the day or in the afternoon on weekdays.
  • If your refund was offset to pay a debt or back taxes, the IRS will have noted this in Where's My Refund or in a notice mailed to you.

What to do if your refund was sent by direct deposit

If Where's My Refund says your refund was sent by direct deposit, call your bank's customer service line — the number is on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell them you're waiting for a tax refund and give them the refund amount. Ask whether the deposit arrived in your account.

Banks sometimes hold deposits for a day or two, especially if the account is new or if the deposit is large. If your bank received the deposit, it's yours — the hold will lift automatically. If your bank says they never received it, ask them to check the routing number and account number on file. If those are wrong, the IRS sent the money to the wrong bank, and you'll need to contact the IRS to request a replacement check.

Write down the date your bank says they received the deposit (or didn't). You'll need this when you call the IRS if the money didn't arrive.

What to do if the IRS mailed a paper check

If Where's My Refund says your refund was mailed as a check, wait at least 21 days from the date it says "sent" before contacting anyone. Checks take time to arrive, especially during tax season when the volume is high.

After 21 days, if you haven't received the check, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. Tell them the check never arrived. They can issue a replacement check, which usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to arrive by mail.

Alternatively, you can file Form 3911 (Application for IRS Transcript) and mail it to the IRS address for your state. The form asks for your information and the date the check was supposed to arrive. Mail it certified, return receipt requested, so you have proof the IRS received it. This route takes longer than calling but creates a paper trail.

How to reach the IRS by phone

The main IRS customer service line is 800-829-1040. This line handles refund status questions, missing refunds, and replacement checks. Wait times are longest in April and May; if you call then, expect to wait 30 minutes to over an hour. Call early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) or in the afternoon (after 2 p.m.) on weekdays to avoid peak times.

Have these documents ready before you call: your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), the exact refund amount, and the date you filed your return. If you're calling about a check that didn't arrive, also have the date Where's My Refund said it was sent.

The IRS also offers a callback feature on irs.gov. Instead of waiting on hold, you can request a call back at a time that works for you. This is faster than sitting on the phone, though the callback may come during a window of several hours rather than at an exact time.

When the IRS offset your refund

Sometimes the IRS keeps your refund to pay a debt you owe to the federal government — back taxes, unpaid student loans, or child support. This is called an offset. If this happened, Where's My Refund will say "Your refund has been applied to other federal obligations" or similar language.

You'll also receive a notice in the mail (usually within 2 to 3 weeks of filing) that explains which debt the refund went toward. The notice will tell you which agency received the money — the IRS itself, the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, or another federal body.

If you believe the offset was wrong — for example, if you've already paid the debt or if the debt belongs to someone else — contact the agency listed in the notice. They can review whether the offset was correct. This process takes weeks or months.

State tax refunds that don't arrive

If you filed a state return and your state refund hasn't arrived, use your state's tax agency website to check status. Most states have a "Where's My Refund" tool similar to the IRS version. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find it.

State refunds usually take longer than federal refunds — often 4 to 8 weeks. If your state tool says the refund was sent and you haven't received it after that time, call your state's tax department. The phone number is on your state's tax agency website. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready, just as you would for the IRS.

What to do if you can't reach anyone

During peak tax season (April and May), the IRS phone lines are overwhelmed and many calls don't go through. If you can't get through after several tries, use the IRS callback feature on irs.gov, or file Form 3911 by mail. Form 3911 takes longer but doesn't require you to wait on the phone.

You can also visit an IRS office in person if one is near you. Search "IRS office near me" on irs.gov to find locations and hours. Bring your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. Walk-in hours vary by location, so call ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Wait at least 21 days from the date Where's My Refund says your refund was sent. If it was sent by direct deposit, your bank should have received it within 1 to 2 business days after that date. If it was mailed as a check, allow 21 days for postal delivery before calling the IRS.

What if the IRS says they sent my refund but my bank says they never got it?

This usually means the routing number or account number on your tax return was wrong. The IRS sent the money to the wrong bank. Call the IRS and tell them the deposit never arrived at your bank. They will issue a replacement check instead, which takes 4 to 6 weeks.

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

No. Calling the IRS doesn't speed up processing or delivery. If your refund is still being processed, they'll tell you to wait. If it's been sent, calling won't make it arrive sooner. Call only if it's been more than 21 days since the sent date and you haven't received it.

What if I filed my return by mail instead of electronically?

Paper returns take longer to process — usually 4 to 6 weeks instead of 21 days. Use Where's My Refund to check status. If it still shows "processing" after 6 weeks, call the IRS. Don't call before then; they won't have processed it yet.

Do I need to file a police report if my check was stolen?

If you believe your refund check was stolen from your mailbox, you can file a report with local police, but it's not required to get a replacement from the IRS. Call the IRS and tell them the check never arrived. They'll issue a new one. If you want a police report for your records, contact your local police department's non-emergency line.