Check the IRS tracking tool first, before you assume anything is wrong
The IRS has a free tool called Where's My Refund? that tells you the exact status of your return and refund. You can access it on IRS.gov without logging in — you only need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount you expect. This tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so check it before contacting anyone.
If the tool shows your refund is still being processed, wait. Most refunds arrive within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, though some take longer. If it shows your refund was issued but you haven't received it, the next step depends on how you chose to receive it — direct deposit or check.
If Where's My Refund? shows an error message or won't load your information at all, your return may have a problem that needs manual review. Write down the exact message and move to the section below.
Key Takeaways
- Check Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov first — it shows the real status and updates daily, and most delays resolve on their own.
- If your refund was issued but you haven't received it, the timeline depends on whether you chose direct deposit (3 to 5 business days) or a check (up to two weeks by mail).
- If the IRS rejected your return or flagged it for review, you will need to contact the IRS by phone or mail — the tool will tell you which.
- If someone filed a return using your Social Security number before you did, the IRS will hold your legitimate return and you must report identity theft to both the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission.
- The IRS phone line has long wait times; calling early in the week and early in the day reduces your wait, and you can request a callback instead of holding.
What to do if your refund was issued but hasn't arrived
The IRS shows your refund as issued when it has sent the money out. Where it goes next depends on your method. If you chose direct deposit, the money should land in your bank account within 3 to 5 business days after the IRS issues it. If you chose a paper check, it can take up to two weeks to arrive by mail, depending on postal service delays.
Check your bank account first. Sometimes direct deposits land before the IRS updates Where's My Refund? to show "deposited." If the money is there, you're done. If it's not there and more than five business days have passed since the IRS issued it, contact your bank and ask them to trace the deposit. Provide them with the date the IRS issued the refund (from Where's My Refund?) and the amount.
If you chose a check and more than two weeks have passed, the check may have been lost or stolen in the mail. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your check hasn't arrived. They can issue a replacement check or, in some cases, a direct deposit instead. Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready.
How to contact the IRS when you need to speak to someone
The IRS phone line is 1-800-829-1040. Wait times are long, especially during tax season (January through April). Call early in the week (Tuesday through Thursday) and early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) to reduce your wait. You can also request a callback — tell the automated system you want to hold your place in the queue and receive a call back instead of waiting on the line.
Have these documents ready before you call: your Social Security number, filing status, the date you filed, and the refund amount you expect. If you filed electronically, also have your PIN or the confirmation number from your tax software. If you filed by mail, have a copy of your return.
If you cannot reach the IRS by phone, you can also mail a letter to the IRS office that serves your state. The address is on IRS.gov under "Contact Us." Include your name, Social Security number, filing status, the tax year in question, and a clear explanation of the problem. Mail takes longer — expect a response in 4 to 6 weeks — but it creates a paper record of your inquiry.
What happens if the IRS rejected your return or flagged it for review
If Where's My Refund? shows your return was rejected or is under review, the tool usually displays a message telling you why. Common reasons include a missing signature, a math error, a mismatched Social Security number, or income that doesn't match what employers reported to the IRS.
The IRS will send you a letter explaining the problem and what you need to do. This letter arrives by mail, not email. Check your mailbox for a notice from the IRS — it will have a number like "CP2000" or "CP2501" on it. The letter tells you exactly what to fix and the important date to respond.
If you received a letter, follow the instructions in it. Most require you to either mail back a signed form or call the number on the letter to resolve the issue by phone. Do not ignore the letter — if you miss the important date, the IRS may deny your refund or assess additional tax.
If someone else filed a return using your Social Security number
If Where's My Refund? shows a return you didn't file, or if the IRS tells you a return was already filed under your number, you may be a victim of tax identity theft. This happens when someone uses your Social Security number to file a fraudulent return and claim a refund.
Report this to the IRS when ready by calling 1-800-829-0582 or by mailing Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) to the IRS office that serves your state. You also need to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC will create a record and send you a recovery plan.
Once you report identity theft, the IRS will flag your account and require additional verification before processing any future returns. Your legitimate return will be held while the IRS investigates. This process can take several months. You will not receive your refund until the IRS confirms that you — not the person who filed the fraudulent return — are may have access to to it.
Timelines for different types of delays
| Situation | Typical Wait Time | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Return still being processed (Where's My Refund? shows "processing") | Up to 21 days from acceptance | Check again in a few days; most resolve on their own |
| Direct deposit issued but not received | 3 to 5 business days after issue date | Contact your bank to trace the deposit |
| Check issued but not received | Up to 2 weeks by mail | Contact IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request replacement |
| Return rejected or under review | Varies; IRS sends letter with important date | Follow instructions in the IRS letter |
| Identity theft reported | Several months for investigation | File Form 14039 with IRS and report to FTC |
What you cannot do, and what won't help
Do not file a second return for the same tax year. Filing twice will delay both returns and create confusion at the IRS. If you made a mistake on your original return, you can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) after your original return is processed, but only if you need to claim a larger refund or correct income information.
Do not pay a third party to "recover" your refund or to contact the IRS on your behalf. The IRS does not charge for help, and scammers often pose as IRS agents or tax recovery services. If someone contacts you claiming they can get your refund faster for a fee, hang up. The IRS will never call you first — they always send a letter.
Do not assume your refund is lost if it has not arrived within 21 days. The IRS publishes average timelines, but some returns take longer due to volume or complexity. Where's My Refund? is the only reliable source for your specific status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS multiple times?
No. Calling repeatedly does not speed up processing and wastes your time in the queue. The IRS processes returns in the order they were received. If your return is still being processed, calling will not change that. Call only if Where's My Refund? shows an error, a rejection, or if your refund was issued but you haven't received it after the expected timeline.
What if the IRS says my refund was issued but my bank says they never received it?
Ask your bank to research the deposit using the issue date and amount from Where's My Refund?. Banks can trace deposits that were sent but never credited. If the bank confirms the IRS sent it but they cannot locate it, the IRS can issue a replacement check or reissue the direct deposit to a different account.
Do I need to file a police report if my tax refund check was stolen?
You can file a police report, but it is not required to get a replacement from the IRS. The IRS will reissue your refund without a police report. A police report is useful only if you want to document the theft for your own records or if you suspect ongoing mail theft in your area.
What happens if I moved and the IRS sent my check to my old address?
Contact the IRS and provide your new address. They can reissue the check to your current address or switch to direct deposit if you provide banking information. The post office can also forward mail, but tax refund checks sometimes do not may have access to for forwarding, so contact the IRS directly to be safe.
How long does it take to get a refund after I fix a rejected return?
Once you respond to the IRS with the correction, processing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. The IRS will send you a letter confirming receipt of your response, and then another letter when your refund is approved. You can track progress using Where's My Refund? after the IRS reprocesses your return.