Start with the IRS, not your bank
If you are waiting for a tax refund that has not arrived, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the first place to contact. The IRS processes refunds and can tell you whether yours was issued, where it is in the system, and why it might be delayed. Your bank or tax software company cannot access this information — only the IRS can.
You have three ways to reach the IRS about a missing refund. The fastest is the IRS website tool called Where's My Refund?, which you can access at irs.gov without calling. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. This tool updates once per day and tells you the status in real time.
If you prefer to speak to someone, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Wait times are longest during tax season (January through April), so calling in the morning or on weekdays other than Monday usually means a shorter hold. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and tax return handy when you call.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS tool "Where's My Refund?" on irs.gov is the fastest way to check your refund status without waiting on hold.
- If you need to speak to someone, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours, and have your Social Security number and filing status ready.
- A refund typically takes 21 days from the date the IRS accepts your return, but can take longer if there are errors or missing information on your return.
- If the IRS says your refund was issued but you never received it, contact your bank to report it as a missing deposit.
- If you filed by mail instead of electronically, add an extra 2 to 4 weeks to the processing time.
What the IRS tool will tell you
When you use Where's My Refund?, you will see one of three statuses. "Refund approved" means the IRS has processed your return and your refund is on the way. The tool will show you the date it was sent and the method (direct deposit to your bank account or a check by mail). "Still processing" means the IRS is still reviewing your return and has not yet issued the refund. "There is an issue with your return" means the IRS found a problem — usually a missing form, a math error, or a mismatch between your return and IRS records — and needs more information from you before it can process your refund.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. Checking it multiple times in the same day will not give you new information. If the tool says your refund was approved and sent more than a week ago, move to the next step.
If the IRS says your refund was sent but you did not receive it
When the IRS issues a refund by direct deposit, it sends the money to the bank account number you listed on your tax return. If that account is closed, the money may have been returned to the IRS. If you changed banks or made a typo on your return, the deposit may have gone to the wrong account.
Contact your bank first and ask whether a deposit from the IRS arrived in the last 30 days. Give them the exact amount and the date the IRS said it was sent. If your bank has no record of it, ask them to check whether it was rejected or returned. If it was returned, the IRS will reissue it, usually within two weeks.
If your bank confirms the deposit arrived but you cannot find it, check whether someone else on the account moved the money or whether it was deposited to a different account you own. If you still cannot locate it after checking with your bank, call the IRS again and ask them to investigate the deposit.
If the IRS says there is an issue with your return
When the tool shows "There is an issue with your return," the IRS will also send you a letter explaining what is wrong. This letter arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days. Do not ignore it — you must respond to the IRS within the important date shown in the letter, or your refund will be delayed or denied.
Common issues include a missing Schedule C (if you reported self-employment income), a mismatch between your Social Security number and the name on your return, or a dependent claimed on your return that the IRS does not recognize. The letter will tell you exactly what documents or information the IRS needs.
Follow the instructions in the letter. Most of the time you can respond by mail, but some issues require you to call the IRS or visit a local IRS office. If you are unsure what the letter is asking for, call 1-800-829-1040 and read the letter to the representative — they can explain it in plain language.
How long refunds actually take
The IRS says most refunds take 21 days from the date it accepts your return. If you filed electronically, the IRS usually accepts your return within 24 hours. If you filed by mail, add 2 to 4 weeks before the 21-day clock starts.
Some refunds take longer. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until mid-February, even if your return is accepted in January. This is called the PATH Act delay, and it applies every year.
Refunds also take longer if the IRS needs to verify information on your return, if there are math errors, or if your return was flagged for review. In these cases, the tool will show "Still processing" for several weeks or months.
When to contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service
If you have been waiting longer than the normal timeframe and the IRS cannot explain why, or if you have called multiple times and received different answers, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). This is a free service within the IRS that helps people who are having trouble getting their refunds.
You can reach TAS by calling 1-877-777-4778 or by visiting taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov. TAS can investigate your case and push it through the system faster than a regular IRS call. You do not need a lawyer or tax professional to contact TAS — you can do it yourself.
TAS is most useful if your refund is more than 60 days late, if the IRS has lost or misplaced your documents, or if you have been unable to reach the IRS despite multiple attempts. Have your tax return and Social Security number ready when you contact them.
If you filed through a tax software company or tax preparer
If you used tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, or if you paid someone to prepare your return, that company or person cannot speed up your refund or change its status. They can only tell you to check Where's My Refund? or call the IRS.
However, if you used a tax preparer and you suspect they made an error on your return, contact them to ask whether they will file an amended return. If you used tax software and you think you made a mistake, you can file an amended return yourself using Form 1040-X, though this will delay your refund further.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my refund was direct deposited or mailed as a check?
The Where's My Refund? tool will tell you the method and the date it was sent. If it says "direct deposit," the money went to the bank account on your return. If it says "check," it was mailed to your address on file and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days of the date shown.
What if I moved and my refund check was mailed to my old address?
Contact the post office and ask them to forward mail from your old address to your new one. If the check has already been delivered to your old address, ask the current resident or the post office whether they have it. If you cannot locate it, call the IRS and ask them to issue a replacement check to your new address.
Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax company to find it?
No. Companies that claim to speed up refunds or recover missing refunds are scams. The IRS does not work with third parties to process refunds. Use the free Where's My Refund? tool or call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
What if the IRS says my refund was issued but my bank says they never received it?
Ask your bank to check whether the deposit was rejected because the account was closed or the account number was wrong. If it was rejected, the IRS will reissue the refund within two weeks. If your bank has no record of any attempt, call the IRS and ask them to investigate and reissue the refund.
Do I have to respond to the IRS letter about an issue with my return?
Yes. The letter will include a important date, usually 30 days from the date of the letter. If you do not respond by that date, the IRS may deny your refund or reduce it. If you need more time, call the IRS number on the letter and ask for an extension.