Check the IRS tracking tool first, then contact the IRS directly if it shows as sent

If your tax refund has not arrived, the first step is to check Where's My Refund? on the IRS website (irs.gov). This tool shows the real status of your refund in one of three states: received and being processed, approved and scheduled to be sent, or sent to your bank or address. If the tool says your refund was sent more than 21 days ago and you still have not received it, you have a real problem to solve.

The timeline matters. The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, though some returns take longer if they need manual review. If the tool shows "sent" but you have not received the money, the delay is happening after the IRS released it — either in transit to your bank, lost in the mail, or deposited to the wrong account.

Do not call the IRS when ready. First, check your bank account carefully. Look at your transaction history for the past 30 days, including pending deposits. If the money arrived but you missed it, you are done. If it truly has not arrived, then call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you whether the refund was actually sent and, if so, where it went.

Key Takeaways

  • Check Where's My Refund? on irs.gov before contacting anyone — it shows whether your refund was sent, approved, or still processing.
  • If the tool says your refund was sent more than 21 days ago and you have not received it, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to find out where it went.
  • If the IRS sent your refund to the wrong bank account, you will need to contact that bank to see if the deposit landed there instead.
  • If your refund was mailed as a check and never arrived, the IRS can issue a replacement check, which usually takes two to four weeks.
  • If the IRS says your refund was never sent, your return may still be under review or flagged for identity verification.

If the IRS says your refund was sent to your bank

When the IRS releases a refund by direct deposit, it sends the money to the bank account number you listed on your tax return. If Where's My Refund? shows "sent" but your bank says it never arrived, the deposit may have gone to the wrong account — usually because you entered the routing number or account number incorrectly on the return.

Call your bank's customer service and ask whether a deposit matching your refund amount arrived in the past 30 days. Give them the exact amount and the date range. If the deposit landed in a different account at that bank (for example, a savings account instead of checking), the bank can move it for you. If the deposit went to a completely different bank, that bank received the money and you will need to contact them to retrieve it.

If no bank received the deposit, call the IRS again and ask them to trace the refund. They can see which account number they sent it to and may be able to recall it if the receiving bank has not yet processed it. This process can take several weeks.

If the IRS mailed your refund as a check

Some refunds are issued as paper checks instead of direct deposits. If you requested a check or your return was processed before the IRS had your bank information, Where's My Refund? will show "sent" with a check date. Checks typically arrive within 10 business days of the send date, but mail delays happen.

Wait at least 15 business days after the send date before assuming the check is lost. If it does not arrive by then, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. They will verify that the check was mailed and can issue a replacement. The replacement check usually takes two to four weeks to arrive. Ask the IRS for the check number and amount so you can watch for it.

Do not deposit the original check if it arrives after you have received the replacement. If both checks arrive, you must return one to the IRS or contact them to report the duplicate. Depositing both is considered fraud.

If Where's My Refund? says your return is still being processed

If the tool shows your return is still under review, the IRS has not yet approved your refund. This happens when the return needs manual verification — usually because of math errors, missing information, or a mismatch between your return and IRS records (such as a discrepancy with your W-2 or 1099 forms).

The IRS will contact you by mail if they need additional information. Check your mailbox for a letter from the IRS. If you receive one, follow the instructions exactly and send back any documents they request. Do not ignore IRS mail. The letter will have a important date, usually 30 days from the date on the letter.

If you have not received a letter and Where's My Refund? still shows processing after 60 days, call the IRS. They can tell you what is holding up your return and what you need to do to move it forward.

If the IRS says your refund was never sent and your return is not processing

This situation usually means the IRS flagged your return for identity verification or fraud review. The IRS does this when something on your return looks unusual — a large refund, a new address, a claim you have not made before, or a mismatch with third-party documents like W-2s.

You will receive a letter from the IRS explaining what they need. This letter will include a phone number to call or instructions for submitting documents online through a find portal. Follow those instructions. Do not send documents to a generic IRS address unless the letter specifically tells you to.

Identity verification can take several weeks to several months, depending on how quickly you respond and how backed up the IRS verification team is. Once the IRS confirms your identity and approves your return, your refund will be issued. There is no way to speed this up, but responding quickly to IRS requests does matter.

If you filed your return but the IRS has no record of it

If Where's My Refund? says "we have no record of your return" and you definitely filed it, the return may not have been received or processed yet. This can happen if you filed very recently (within the past week) or if there was a problem with the filing system when you submitted it.

Wait five business days and check again. If the return still does not show up, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. They can search for your return by Social Security number and filing status. If they cannot find it, you may need to file again or file an amended return, depending on the situation. The IRS will tell you which option applies.

If you filed through a tax preparer or software company, contact them first. They can confirm whether the return was actually transmitted to the IRS and troubleshoot any filing errors on their end.

What to do while you wait for the IRS to respond

If the IRS is reviewing your return or verifying your identity, you cannot force them to move faster. However, you can protect yourself by keeping records. Save copies of any letters the IRS sends you, the dates you called them, and the names of any representatives you spoke with. Write down what they told you about the timeline.

If you need the money urgently, explore whether you have other options — a personal loan, a line of credit, or help from family. Do not pay anyone claiming they can speed up your refund. The IRS does not work with third-party services to release refunds faster, and anyone offering to do so is running a scam.

Check Where's My Refund? once a week while you wait. The status updates as your return moves through the system, and you will see when it is approved and sent.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If Where's My Refund? shows your refund was sent more than 21 days ago, it is safe to assume something went wrong. For direct deposits, wait at least 21 days from the send date. For checks, wait at least 15 business days. After that, contact the IRS.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS multiple times?

No. Calling repeatedly does not speed up processing. The IRS system does not prioritize based on call volume. One call to report the problem is enough. After that, wait for the IRS to respond to your inquiry or for the status to update in Where's My Refund?

What if I think someone stole my refund?

If the IRS says your refund was sent to a bank account you do not recognize, contact the IRS when ready and file a report. They can investigate whether your identity was used fraudulently. Also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report with one of the three major credit bureaus.

Do I have to pay taxes on a refund I receive late?

No. A tax refund is your own money being returned to you. It is not income, and you do not owe taxes on it, regardless of when it arrives.

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

Ask your bank to search their records for a deposit matching your refund amount. If they find it in a different account at the same bank, they can move it. If they find nothing, the deposit may have been rejected by the bank's system. Call the IRS and ask them to reissue the refund, this time by check instead of direct deposit.