Where to check the status of a 2017 refund

The IRS stopped accepting 2017 tax returns in 2018, so if you filed that year, your refund was either issued or the return was closed. You can check what happened to it using the IRS Where's My Refund tool, though the tool only shows returns filed within the last three years. Since 2017 is now outside that window, you will need to contact the IRS directly by phone or mail.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return ready. The IRS can tell you whether the refund was issued, sent to a different address, or never processed.

If you prefer not to call, you can send Form 3911 (process for IRS Transcript of Account) to your local IRS office. This takes longer—typically four to six weeks—but creates a written record. You can also visit an IRS office in person if one is near you, though wait times vary widely.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool does not show 2017 returns, so you must call 1-800-829-1040 or mail Form 3911 to find out what happened.
  • Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your 2017 return when you call.
  • If the refund was issued but you never received it, the IRS can tell you the payment method (check or direct deposit) and the date it was sent.
  • If your address has changed since 2017, a check may have been returned to the IRS, and you will need to provide your current address to have it reissued.
  • Refunds older than three years are generally not reissued; you may need to file an amended return or claim the amount on a future return instead.

What the IRS can tell you on the phone

When you call, the IRS representative will look up your account and tell you one of three things: the refund was issued (and when), the return was never processed, or the return was rejected. Each outcome has a different next step.

If the refund was issued, they will tell you the method—direct deposit to a bank account or a check mailed to an address. They will also give you the exact date it was sent. If you moved between 2017 and now, a check may have been returned to the IRS as undeliverable. In that case, you can ask the IRS to reissue it to your current address, though this can take several weeks.

If the return was never processed or was rejected, the IRS will explain why. Common reasons include a missing signature, an incorrect Social Security number, or a math error on the form. The representative can tell you whether you need to file an amended return or if the IRS has already corrected the issue on their end.

If your check was never cashed

If the IRS issued a check but you never received it, the check may have been lost in the mail, returned as undeliverable, or deposited into the wrong account (if it was direct deposit). The IRS can reissue a check, but there is a process.

First, wait 60 days from the date the IRS says the check was mailed before requesting a replacement. This gives the postal service time to deliver it or return it to the IRS. After 60 days, you can call 1-800-829-1040 and ask for a replacement check. The IRS will mail it to your current address.

If the check was issued by direct deposit and went to the wrong account, contact your bank first to see if it was deposited and can be traced. If your bank has no record, the IRS can issue a replacement, but this also takes several weeks.

When the IRS says the refund is too old to reissue

Federal law allows the IRS to hold unclaimed refunds for three years. After that, the money goes to the U.S. Treasury and cannot be reissued as a refund. Since 2017 is now more than three years in the past, your refund may fall into this category.

If the IRS tells you the refund is too old to reissue, you have one option: file an amended return for 2017 (Form 1040-X) and claim the refund amount as a credit against taxes you owe, or request it as a refund on that amended return. The IRS will then review the amended return and process it according to current rules. This can take several months.

Alternatively, if you owe federal taxes in a later year, the IRS may automatically explore the old refund to that debt. You can ask the IRS whether this has happened or is likely to happen.

What to do if the IRS has no record of your return

If you call and the IRS says they have no record of a 2017 return under your name and Social Security number, the return may not have been filed or may have been filed under a different name or number. Ask the IRS to search under any variations of your name you may have used (maiden name, nickname, etc.).

If the IRS still finds nothing, you will need to file the 2017 return now, even though it is late. File Form 1040 for 2017 with all the income and deduction information you can gather. Include a note explaining that this is a late filing. The IRS will process it and issue any refund owed, minus any penalties for filing late. Penalties for late filing are usually small if you are owed a refund rather than owing taxes.

Keep copies of any documents you used to file (W-2s, 1099s, receipts for deductions) in case the IRS asks questions about the return.

How to prepare for your call to the IRS

Before you call 1-800-829-1040, gather these documents: your 2017 tax return (or a copy if you have one), your Social Security number, your filing status from that year, and the refund amount you expected. If you filed electronically, you may have a confirmation email or receipt number. If you filed by mail, you may have a certified mail receipt showing the IRS received it.

Call during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Have a pen and paper ready to write down the representative's name, the date of the call, and any information they give you about your refund status.

If you reach a representative who cannot find your return, ask to speak to a supervisor or ask for a case number so you can follow up. Do not accept "we don't have it" as a final answer without getting a reference number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get my 2017 refund if it has been more than three years?

If the IRS issued the refund and you never received it, you can request a replacement within a reasonable time. If the refund was never issued and is now more than three years old, the IRS generally cannot reissue it. Your option is to file an amended 2017 return and claim the refund amount as a credit or request it on that amended return.

What if I filed my 2017 return but never got a refund and the IRS has no record of it?

The return may not have been received or may have been rejected. File the 2017 return again now, including all income and deduction information. The IRS will process it as a late filing and issue any refund owed. Late-filing penalties are usually small if you are owed money rather than owing taxes.

How long does it take to get a replacement check if the original was lost?

The IRS typically mails a replacement check within two to four weeks of your request. Wait at least 60 days from the date the original check was mailed before requesting a replacement, to give the postal service time to deliver or return it.

What if I moved since 2017 and the check was sent to my old address?

Call the IRS and tell them your current address. They can reissue the check to your new address. This usually takes two to four weeks. If the check was returned to the IRS as undeliverable, they will have a record of it and can process the replacement right away.

Do I need a lawyer to recover a lost 2017 refund?

No. You can handle this yourself by calling the IRS or filing an amended return. The IRS has no fee for reissuing a check or processing an amended return. A tax professional can help if you are unsure how to file the amended return, but it is not required.