Your refund may not be working because of a mismatch between your bank details, tax return data, or the account you're trying to deposit into

A refund that isn't working usually means one of three things: the IRS or your state tax authority hasn't processed it yet, the bank details you provided don't match your actual account, or there's a hold on the account itself. The most common cause is a typo in your routing number or account number when you filed. The second most common is that you're checking too early — most refunds take 21 days from the date you filed, and some take longer if the return needs review.

Before you contact anyone, you need to know what "not working" means in your situation. Are you seeing a refund status in the IRS system but the money hasn't landed? Are you getting an error message when you try to enter your bank details? Did you file weeks ago and still see no deposit? The answer changes what you check next.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS processes most refunds within 21 days of filing, but this clock starts from the date you actually submitted your return, not the date you prepared it.
  • A refund that shows as approved but hasn't deposited usually means your routing number or account number has a typo, or the account is closed or frozen.
  • You can check your refund status for free using the IRS Where's My Refund tool (irs.gov/refunds) or your state tax authority's equivalent tool.
  • If your bank rejected the deposit, the IRS will mail you a check instead, which takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks after the rejection.
  • A refund held for offset — because you owe child support, student loans, or back taxes — will not deposit to your account and requires action with the agency holding it.

Check your refund status before assuming it's broken

The first step is to see what the IRS actually knows about your refund. Go to irs.gov/refunds and use the Where's My Refund tool. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. This tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day won't show you new information.

The tool will show you one of four statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has it but hasn't processed it yet), "Refund Approved" (the IRS has approved the refund and sent it to your bank), "Refund Sent" (the money left the IRS), or "Refund Delivered" (your bank received it). If you see "Refund Approved" or "Refund Sent" but the money hasn't hit your account, the problem is almost always on the banking side, not the IRS side.

If you filed a state return as well, check your state tax authority's refund status tool too. State refunds process on their own timeline and can be delayed independently of your federal refund. Most states have a similar tool on their tax department website.

Verify the bank details you provided when you filed

If the IRS shows your refund as approved or sent but you haven't received it, pull up a copy of the tax return you filed and check the routing number and account number you entered. A single digit wrong in either field will send your refund to the wrong account, and the IRS has no way to recover it — the money goes to whatever account that number belongs to.

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. Your account number is the number of the specific account at that bank. Both must be exactly correct. If you're not sure which account you used, log into your bank and confirm the account number matches what you filed. If it doesn't match, your refund went to the wrong place.

If you discover a mistake in your bank details, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. They cannot redirect a refund that's already been sent, but they can tell you which account received it and advise you on next steps. If the money went to someone else's account, you may need to file a report with your bank and the IRS.

Understand why banks reject IRS deposits

Sometimes the IRS tries to deposit your refund but your bank rejects it. This happens when the account is closed, the account has been frozen due to fraud or a legal hold, or the account type doesn't match what you told the IRS (for example, you said it was a checking account but it's actually a savings account). When a bank rejects a deposit, the IRS doesn't try again — it stops and mails you a check instead.

If your bank rejected the deposit, you won't see an error message in the Where's My Refund tool. Instead, the status will change from "Refund Sent" to "Refund Delivered" even though you never received the money. The IRS will then mail a paper check, which takes 2 to 3 weeks from the rejection date. You should receive a notice in the mail explaining the rejection.

To prevent this, make sure the account you list is active and in your name. If you recently closed an account or changed banks, use your current account number. If your account has been frozen, contact your bank to unfreeze it before filing, or use a different account.

Check for offsets and holds on your refund

A refund can be held or reduced if you owe money to a federal or state agency. The most common reasons are unpaid child support, defaulted student loans, unpaid taxes from a previous year, or unemployment benefits you were overpaid. When this happens, the IRS intercepts your refund and sends it to the agency you owe, not to your bank account.

If your refund has been offset, the Where's My Refund tool will not show a normal status. Instead, you'll see a notice that your refund has been applied to a debt. The IRS will send you a notice in the mail explaining which agency took the money and how much. You can also call the Treasury Offset Program at 1-800-304-3107 to learn about your refund was offset and by whom.

If you believe the offset was wrong — for example, you already paid the debt or the debt belongs to someone else — you need to contact the agency holding the money, not the IRS. Each agency has its own process for disputing an offset.

What to do if your refund is delayed past 21 days

If you filed more than 21 days ago and the Where's My Refund tool still shows "Return Received" or "Refund Approved," your return is likely under review. This happens when something on your return doesn't match IRS records — a name mismatch, a Social Security number discrepancy, income that doesn't match what your employer reported, or a claim the IRS wants to verify. The review can take anywhere from a few days to several months depending on what triggered it.

You cannot speed up a review by calling the IRS, but you can call 1-800-829-1040 to confirm your return is under review and ask what information the IRS needs from you. If the IRS needs documents from you, they will send a letter explaining what to send and where to send it. Do not ignore these letters — responding quickly is the fastest way to get your refund released.

If you filed electronically and your return was rejected before it was even accepted, you'll see an error message in the tax software you used. In that case, you need to correct the error and refile. Common rejection reasons include a mismatched name or Social Security number, a duplicate return (you filed twice by accident), or a return filed under your name that conflicts with another return already filed.

Understand the timeline for paper checks

If the IRS is mailing you a check instead of depositing directly, the timeline is longer. The IRS prints and mails checks in batches, so even after your refund is approved, you may wait 2 to 3 weeks for the check to arrive. Once mailed, a check takes another 5 to 7 business days to reach you, depending on where you live and mail speed.

If you filed late in the tax season (after April 15), your check may take even longer because the IRS processes a much higher volume. If you haven't received a check 4 weeks after the Where's My Refund tool showed it was sent, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to issue a replacement check or investigate whether it was lost in the mail.

You can also request a refund by check instead of direct deposit when you file, though this is slower. If you're expecting a direct deposit and want to switch to a check, you cannot change it after filing — you have to wait for the IRS to attempt the deposit, have it rejected, and then receive the check.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it actually take to get a refund?

Most refunds arrive within 21 days of filing if you chose direct deposit and your bank details are correct. If the IRS is mailing a check, add 2 to 3 weeks for printing and mailing, plus 5 to 7 business days for mail delivery. Returns under review can take much longer — sometimes 60 days or more.

What if I filed with the wrong bank account on purpose because I don't have access to it anymore?

Contact your bank and ask if you can add yourself back to the account or regain access. If the account is closed, the IRS will eventually mail you a check instead. If the account is open but you can't access it, the bank may be able to help you regain access before the refund arrives.

Can the IRS send my refund to a different account if I made a mistake?

No. Once the refund is sent, the IRS cannot redirect it. If it went to the wrong account, you'll need to contact that bank and explain the situation. If the account is closed or belongs to someone else, you may need to file a report with your bank and the IRS.

What does it mean if the Where's My Refund tool says my refund was delivered but I never got it?

It usually means your bank rejected the deposit and the IRS is mailing you a check instead. Check your mail for an IRS notice explaining the rejection. If you don't receive a check within 4 weeks, call the IRS to request a replacement.

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparation company extra?

No. The IRS processes refunds on its own timeline regardless of who prepared your return or how much you paid. Some tax preparation companies offer "refund advances" or loans against your expected refund, but these cost money and don't actually speed up the IRS process.