Start with the IRS, but know what information they need first

Call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 if your refund hasn't arrived by the date the IRS told you to expect it. The IRS tracks refunds by Social Security number and the exact amount you're owed, so have both ready when you call. Wait times are longest in February through April, so call early in the morning or later in the afternoon if you can.

Before you call, check the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool updates once per day and will tell you whether the IRS has processed your return, approved your refund, and sent it out. If the tool says your refund was sent but you haven't received it, that's when you call.

The IRS phone line can take 30 minutes to an hour to reach a person during peak season. If you reach an automated system first, it will ask you to enter your information by phone keypad. Have your return in front of you so you can answer quickly.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive returns, and the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows you exactly where yours is in that queue.
  • If the tool says your refund was sent but you haven't received it after 21 days, the money may have gone to the wrong bank account or been intercepted by a debt collector.
  • Call 1-800-829-1040 to speak to the IRS, but have your Social Security number and exact refund amount ready before you dial.
  • If you filed by mail, the IRS takes longer to process your return than if you filed electronically, and delays are common during tax season.
  • State refunds move through a separate system, so contact your state tax agency if your federal refund arrived but your state refund did not.

What the IRS will tell you when you call

The IRS representative will confirm whether your return has been processed and whether your refund has been sent. They can see the exact date the refund was issued and the method it was sent—direct deposit to your bank account or a check mailed to your address.

If the IRS says the refund was sent by direct deposit, they will give you the date it should have arrived at your bank. If it's been more than five business days since that date, the money may have gone to the wrong account. This happens when you entered an incorrect routing number or account number on your return. The IRS can tell you which account they sent it to, and you can check with your bank to see if the deposit landed in a different account you own.

If the IRS says the refund was sent by check, they will give you the date the check was mailed. Checks typically arrive within two weeks, but mail delays happen. The IRS can issue a replacement check if the original has been lost or if more than 60 days have passed since it was mailed.

When your bank account information was wrong

If you entered the wrong routing number or account number on your return, the IRS sent your refund to that account. Your bank will reject the deposit if the account doesn't exist or if the routing number doesn't match their system. When that happens, the IRS recalls the money and reissues it, but this process takes time—usually four to six weeks from the date the deposit was rejected.

You can ask the IRS to reissue your refund by phone when you call 1-800-829-1040. Have the correct routing number and account number ready. The IRS will issue a new refund by direct deposit to the correct account or by check, depending on what you request. If you choose direct deposit again, allow five to seven business days for the money to arrive.

If you're not sure whether your account information was correct, call your bank first. Give them the exact refund amount and the date the IRS said they sent it. Your bank can tell you whether a deposit attempt was made and whether it was rejected.

When a debt collector or government agency intercepted your refund

The IRS can explore your refund to unpaid federal taxes, student loans in default, or child support arrears before the money reaches you. This is called offset. The IRS will have notified you by mail before this happened, usually several weeks before tax season. If you received a notice saying your refund would be offset, that's what happened.

State tax agencies can also intercept your federal refund if you owe state income tax or other state debts. The IRS and state agencies coordinate through a program called the Treasury Offset Program. If your refund was offset, the IRS will tell you which agency took it when you call.

If you believe the offset was wrong—for example, if you've already paid the debt or if the debt belongs to someone else—you can dispute it. The agency that took the money will have sent you a notice with instructions. Follow those instructions to file a dispute with that specific agency, not with the IRS.

If the IRS says they never received your return

If you filed by mail and the IRS has no record of your return, it may still be in the mail or it may have been lost. The IRS processes paper returns more slowly than electronic returns, especially during peak season. If you filed by mail more than 21 days ago and the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows no record of your return, call the IRS.

The IRS can file a Form 911 (process for Taxpayer information Order) to investigate whether your return was received. This is a formal request to trace your return through the mail system. The IRS will give you a case number and timeline for the investigation. If your return is found, they will process it. If it's not found, you'll need to file an amended return or a duplicate return, depending on what the IRS recommends.

If you filed electronically and the IRS has no record of your return, contact the tax software company or tax professional you used to file. They can confirm whether the return was actually transmitted to the IRS. If it was transmitted, the IRS will investigate. If it wasn't, you'll need to file again.

State refunds are separate from federal refunds

Your state refund moves through your state's tax agency, not the IRS. Each state has its own processing timeline and its own "Where's My Refund?" tool. If you received your federal refund but not your state refund, contact your state tax agency directly.

Most states have a phone line and an online tool similar to the IRS system. Search "[your state] where's my refund" to find the tool, or search "[your state] tax agency" to find the phone number. Have your Social Security number and state refund amount ready when you call.

State refunds can be delayed for the same reasons federal refunds are delayed: incorrect bank account information, offset to state debts, or mail delays if you filed by paper. The state tax agency will tell you which one applies to your refund.

What to do if you filed jointly and only one refund arrived

If you filed a joint return with a spouse or partner and only one of you received a refund, the IRS may have applied part of the refund to a debt in one person's name. This happens when one spouse has unpaid taxes, student loans, or child support from before the marriage. The IRS offsets that person's share of the refund but sends the other person's share.

Call the IRS and ask whether an offset was applied to either spouse's portion of the refund. If so, the IRS will tell you which agency took the money and how much was taken. The spouse whose debt was offset can dispute the offset if they believe it was wrong.

If no offset was applied and one spouse still hasn't received their share, the money may have gone to the wrong account. Ask the IRS which account they sent each spouse's portion to, and check with both banks to see if the deposit landed in a different account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait before calling the IRS about my refund?

If the "Where's My Refund?" tool says your refund was sent by direct deposit, wait five business days after the date shown. If it was sent by check, wait 21 days after the date shown. If the money hasn't arrived by then, call 1-800-829-1040.

What if I can't reach the IRS by phone?

The IRS phone lines are extremely busy during tax season. Try calling early in the morning or after 4 p.m. You can also use the IRS online chat tool at irs.gov, though wait times are long there too. If you need help, a tax professional or local tax clinic can call on your behalf.

Can I get my refund faster if I call instead of waiting?

No. Calling the IRS doesn't speed up processing. The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive returns. If your return is still being processed, calling won't change that. If your refund has already been sent, calling can help you figure out where it is.

What if my refund was sent to the wrong bank account and I can't get it back?

If the bank account the IRS sent it to doesn't exist or isn't yours, your bank will reject the deposit and the IRS will recall it. The IRS will then reissue your refund to the correct account or by check. This takes four to six weeks. If the account does exist and belongs to someone else, contact that bank when ready to report the error.

Do I need to file a new return if the IRS lost my original return?

Not necessarily. The IRS will investigate whether your return was received. If they find it, they'll process it. If they don't find it after investigation, they'll tell you whether to file an amended return or a duplicate return. Follow their instructions.