Check the IRS tracking tool first, before you assume anything is wrong
The IRS has a 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 need only your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. This tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will not give you new information.
The tool shows three possible statuses: your return is being processed, your refund has been approved and a payment date has been set, or your refund has been sent. If it says your refund was sent but you have not received it, the next step depends on how you chose to receive the money — by direct deposit or by check.
If the tool shows your return is still being processed and you filed more than 21 days ago, move to the next section. If it shows an error or will not load, you may need to contact the IRS directly by phone at 1-800-829-1040.
Key Takeaways
- Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov shows you the real status of your return and tells you whether the IRS has sent your money yet.
- Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within one to two business days of the IRS sending them; checks take two to three weeks by mail.
- If your refund was sent but never arrived, the cause depends on whether you chose direct deposit or a paper check.
- The IRS can issue a replacement refund, but you must first confirm the original payment was actually sent and then wait the full delivery window before requesting one.
- If your return shows an error or the IRS rejected it, you will need to file an amended return or contact the IRS to correct the problem.
If your refund was sent by direct deposit but did not arrive
Direct deposit refunds are sent from the IRS to your bank in batches, usually on a Friday. Your bank then has one to two business days to post the money to your account. If the IRS says your refund was sent by direct deposit and more than three business days have passed, the money may be stuck in your bank's system rather than lost in transit.
Contact your bank directly and give them the refund amount and the date the IRS says it was sent. Ask them to search for incoming ACH transfers (the electronic transfer method the IRS uses) from the U.S. Department of Treasury. If your bank finds the transfer but has not posted it, they can usually release it when ready. If they find nothing, ask them whether your account has any blocks or holds that might prevent deposits from posting.
If your bank has no record of the transfer and more than five business days have passed since the IRS said it was sent, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a refund trace. The IRS will investigate whether the transfer actually left their system and, if it did, where it went. A refund trace takes about four weeks.
If your refund was sent by check but did not arrive
Paper checks sent by the IRS take two to three weeks to arrive by mail, depending on where you live and the current mail volume. If the IRS says your check was sent more than three weeks ago and you have not received it, the check may have been lost, stolen, or sent to the wrong address.
Do not cash the original check if it arrives after you have requested a replacement — cashing both is fraud and the IRS will pursue it. Instead, wait the full three-week window before taking action. If three weeks have passed, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your check did not arrive. They will issue a replacement check, which takes about four weeks to arrive.
If you moved recently, the check may have been sent to an old address. You can file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, and they will forward mail for up to 12 months. However, the IRS check may have already been returned to them as undeliverable. In that case, contact the IRS and provide your current address so they can reissue the check to the correct location.
If your return is still being processed after 21 days
Most returns are processed within 21 days of filing. If Where's My Refund? still shows your return is being processed after 21 days, the IRS is likely reviewing your return for errors or requesting additional information from you.
Check your mail for a letter from the IRS. These letters are sent to the address on your return and explain what information is missing or what the IRS needs you to clarify. If you received a letter, follow the instructions exactly — the letter will tell you whether to mail documents back, call a phone number, or respond online. Do not ignore IRS letters; failing to respond can result in your refund being denied or reduced.
If you have not received a letter and it has been more than 60 days since you filed, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your return and Social Security number ready. The IRS can tell you whether they are waiting for information from you or whether your return is in a queue for review.
If your return was rejected or shows an error
Some returns are rejected by the IRS before processing begins. This usually happens because the return contains conflicting information — for example, a dependent claimed on your return is also claimed on someone else's return, or your income does not match what employers reported to the IRS.
If your return was rejected, the IRS will send you a letter explaining why. You will need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X to correct the error. You can file Form 1040-X by mail or through tax software that supports amended returns. The amended return goes through the same processing queue as an original return, so it typically takes 21 days or longer.
If you are unsure why your return was rejected or what to correct, contact a tax professional or the IRS directly. The IRS has a free tax clinic locator on IRS.gov that shows low-income tax help in your area.
If you filed jointly and your spouse received their portion of the refund
Joint refunds are sent as a single payment to the address on the return. If you and your spouse filed jointly but separated or divorced, the refund may have been sent to one person's address or split between two accounts if you provided separate direct deposit information.
If the refund was sent to an address where you no longer live, contact your ex-spouse and ask them to forward your portion or contact the IRS to request a replacement check sent to your current address. If you provided separate direct deposit accounts on the return and one account received the full refund, contact the IRS to request a split payment or correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before I assume my refund is lost?
For direct deposit, wait at least five business days after the IRS says it was sent. For a check, wait the full three weeks. If you have waited those periods and the money has not arrived, contact your bank or the IRS to request a trace or replacement.
Can the IRS issue a replacement refund if I lost the check?
Yes. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your check did not arrive. They will issue a replacement, which takes about four weeks. Do not cash the original check if it arrives after you request a replacement.
What if the IRS says my refund was sent but my bank says they never received it?
This usually means the transfer was rejected by your bank or lost in the banking system. Ask your bank to search for incoming transfers from the U.S. Department of Treasury. If they find nothing, request a refund trace from the IRS, which takes about four weeks to complete.
Do I need to file an amended return if my original return had an error?
Yes, if the IRS rejected your return or sent you a letter about an error, you will need to file Form 1040-X to correct it. The amended return goes through processing again, so allow 21 days or longer for a new refund.
What should I do if I received a letter from the IRS about my return?
Follow the instructions in the letter exactly. The letter will tell you what information is missing or what needs to be corrected, and how to respond — usually by mail, phone, or online. Ignoring an IRS letter can result in your refund being denied.