Where to look first if your refund is missing
If you expected a federal income tax refund and it has not arrived, start by checking the status through the IRS directly rather than waiting or assuming something went wrong. The IRS has a free tool called Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov that shows you the exact status of your refund in real time — whether it is still being processed, approved and on its way, or if there is a problem holding it up.
To use Where's My Refund?, you will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If the tool says your refund is approved and on the way, it will also tell you the expected deposit date. Most refunds arrive within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, but some take longer.
If Where's My Refund? shows no record of your return at all, your return may not have been received or processed yet. Check that you filed correctly and that the IRS has your current mailing address on file.
Key Takeaways
- Check Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov first — it shows the real status of your refund and updates daily.
- If the tool shows your refund was approved and deposited, but you did not receive it, contact your bank to see if the deposit was rejected.
- If the IRS says your refund was issued but you never got it, you can request a trace through the IRS or file Form 3911.
- If the IRS says there is a problem with your return, you may need to respond to a notice or contact the IRS to resolve it.
- The IRS phone line is free and can often resolve missing refund issues faster than waiting for mail.
Your bank rejected the deposit — what happened and what to do
Sometimes the IRS approves and sends your refund, but your bank rejects the deposit before it reaches your account. This happens most often when the account number or routing number on your return was wrong, when your account was closed, or when your bank flagged the deposit as suspicious.
Where's My Refund? may still show your refund as "deposited" even if your bank rejected it. The next step is to contact your bank directly and ask whether a deposit from the IRS was rejected and why. Have your routing number and account number ready. Your bank can tell you the exact reason and whether the money was sent back to the IRS.
If your bank rejected the deposit, the IRS will eventually re-issue your refund — but this can take several weeks. You can speed this up by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (free) and asking them to reissue your refund by check instead of electronic deposit. Provide your correct mailing address and ask for a check to be sent to you.
The IRS says your refund was issued but you never received it
If Where's My Refund? shows your refund was issued and deposited on a certain date, but you checked your bank account and the money is not there, the deposit may have been lost in transit. This is rare but does happen.
First, wait at least five business days after the date shown in Where's My Refund?. Bank deposits sometimes take longer than expected, especially if the deposit was sent on a Friday or before a holiday. If five business days have passed and the money is still not there, contact the IRS.
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your refund shows as issued but never arrived. They can file a refund trace — an investigation into where the money went. You can also file this yourself by completing Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) and mailing it to the IRS address shown on the form. The trace usually takes four to eight weeks.
The IRS says there is a problem with your return
If Where's My Refund? shows a message like "we need more information" or "there is an issue with your return," the IRS is holding your refund until you respond. This usually means the IRS needs you to verify something — your identity, your income, a dependent you claimed, or a credit you took.
Check your mail for an IRS notice. The notice will explain what information is needed and how to respond. Most notices give you 30 days to reply. You can respond by mail (the notice tells you where to send it), by phone, or sometimes online through IRS.gov.
If you do not receive a notice in the mail within two weeks of checking Where's My Refund?, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask what information they need. Have your Social Security number and a copy of your tax return ready. Responding quickly will get your refund released faster.
Your return was rejected and never processed
If Where's My Refund? shows no record of your return, or if you received a notice saying your return was rejected, your return did not make it into the IRS system. This usually happens because of a mistake on the return itself — a missing signature, a mismatched Social Security number, or a math error.
If you filed electronically, the IRS will send you an email or letter explaining why the return was rejected. Check your email (including spam folders) and your mail. The notice will tell you exactly what needs to be fixed.
Once you know what the problem is, you have two options: file an amended return using Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) with the correction, or file a brand new return if the original was too damaged to fix. If you file a new return, make sure to note on it that this is a replacement for the rejected return. File as soon as you can — the longer you wait, the longer your refund is delayed.
How long to wait before taking action
The IRS says most refunds arrive within 21 days of accepting your return. However, some refunds legitimately take longer — up to 120 days in cases where the IRS needs to verify information or investigate fraud.
Check Where's My Refund? when ready if you are past the 21-day mark. If the tool shows your refund is still being processed and you are within 120 days of filing, you can wait a bit longer. If you are past 120 days, or if the tool shows a problem, contact the IRS.
Do not wait more than 30 days if Where's My Refund? shows your refund was issued but you did not receive it. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to trace the money.
What to have ready when you contact the IRS
Whether you call or write, the IRS will ask for the same information. Have these items in front of you before you reach out: your Social Security number, your filing status, the tax year you are asking about, and the refund amount shown on your return.
If you are calling, use the IRS phone line at 1-800-829-1040. Wait times are shortest early in the morning and mid-week. You can also visit an IRS office in person if you prefer to speak face-to-face — find the nearest one at IRS.gov.
If you are writing, send your letter to the IRS address shown in any notice you received, or to the address for your state on IRS.gov. Include your name, Social Security number, the tax year, and a clear explanation of the problem. Keep a copy for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a refund trace take?
A refund trace usually takes four to eight weeks. The IRS will contact you by mail with the results. If they find that your bank rejected the deposit, they will reissue your refund by check.
Can I get my refund by check instead of direct deposit?
Yes. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to reissue your refund by check. Provide your correct mailing address. A check usually arrives within two to three weeks.
What if I filed my return more than a year ago and still have not received my refund?
Contact the IRS when ready. Refunds older than three years may be forfeited under federal law. Call 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and filing year. The IRS can tell you whether your refund is still available.
Do I need to file an amended return if my original return was rejected?
Only if the IRS notice tells you to. If your return was rejected because of a straightforward error, you can usually file a corrected return without using Form 1040-X. The IRS notice will explain which option applies to you.
What if someone stole my refund?
If you believe your refund was stolen or fraudulently redirected, contact the IRS and your bank when ready. The IRS can investigate and reissue your refund. You may also want to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov if you suspect identity theft.