Start with the IRS, but only after the right date
The IRS processes most refunds within 21 days of receiving your return. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, that clock starts when the IRS accepts your return, not when you submit it. If you filed by mail, it starts when the IRS receives and scans your return, which can take an additional two to three weeks.
Before you call anyone, check the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. This tool shows you the actual status — whether the IRS is still processing, has approved it, or has sent it to your bank. If the tool says your refund is on the way, calling will not speed it up.
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 only if the tool says your refund should have arrived but has not, or if the tool has not updated in more than 21 days from the date the IRS accepted your return. Have your return in front of you when you call.
Key Takeaways
- Check the IRS Where's My Refund tool first — it shows the real status and saves you a phone call if the refund is still being processed.
- The IRS processes most refunds within 21 days of accepting your return, but mail-filed returns take longer to reach that starting point.
- Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 only after 21 days have passed since acceptance, or if the tool shows a problem.
- If your bank received the refund but it did not appear in your account, contact your bank's customer service, not the IRS.
- If the IRS says your refund was sent but you never received it, you may need to file Form 3911 to request a trace.
What the IRS can tell you on the phone
When you call 1-800-829-1040, the IRS can confirm whether your return was received, whether it has been processed, and whether the refund has been sent to your bank. They can also tell you if there is a hold on your refund — which happens when the IRS needs to verify information on your return, when there is a discrepancy with your W-2s or 1099s, or when you owe money to a federal or state agency.
The IRS cannot speed up processing or override a hold. If there is a hold, they will tell you what information is missing or what the discrepancy is, and you may need to send additional documents or contact another agency. If the refund has already been sent to your bank, the IRS will give you the date it was sent and the amount, and you will need to contact your bank instead.
When your bank is the problem
If the IRS confirms the refund was sent to your bank but the money never appeared in your account, contact your bank's customer service. Refunds sent by direct deposit should land within one to two business days of the IRS sending them, though some banks take longer. Ask your bank to check whether the deposit arrived and was rejected, or whether it is still pending.
Banks occasionally reject direct deposits if the account number or routing number on your return is wrong, if the account has been closed, or if there is a fraud flag on the account. Your bank can tell you which of these happened and what to do next. If the deposit was rejected, the IRS will eventually send you a check instead, but this can add weeks to the process.
Filing Form 3911 if the refund vanished
If the IRS says the refund was sent to your bank on a specific date, your bank says they never received it, and more than a week has passed, you can file Form 3911, Request for Refund Trace. This form asks the IRS to investigate what happened to the money between their system and your bank.
You can file Form 3911 by mail or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and asking them to file it for you over the phone. The IRS will then contact your bank to trace the deposit. This process takes four to eight weeks. You do not need to wait for the trace to finish before filing your next return, but you should keep a copy of the form for your records.
State refunds and separate state systems
If you are waiting for a state tax refund, contact your state's tax department directly — they do not use the IRS system. Each state has its own processing timeline and its own tracking tool. Most state tax departments have a phone number on their website, and many have online refund trackers similar to the IRS tool.
State refunds often take longer than federal refunds, especially if you filed by mail or if your state is processing a high volume of returns. Some states take six to eight weeks to process returns. Check your state's website first to see what the current processing time is before calling.
What to do if you cannot reach the IRS by phone
The IRS phone lines are often busy, especially during tax season. If you cannot get through, try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon. You can also use the IRS website to send a message through your online account if you have one set up, though responses can take several weeks.
If you have a tax professional or CPA who prepared your return, they may be able to contact the IRS on your behalf using their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). This sometimes gets you through faster, though the IRS still cannot speed up processing.
Refunds held for unpaid debts or back taxes
If the IRS is holding your refund because you owe federal income tax from a previous year, owe child support, or owe a federal student loan, the IRS will offset your refund to pay that debt. The IRS will send you a notice explaining what the money was applied to. This is not a delay — it is a legal hold, and you cannot remove it by calling.
If you believe the hold is wrong, or if you owe but have a payment plan in place, you can call the IRS to discuss your situation. Bring documentation of any payment plan or proof that the debt has been paid. If the hold is for state debt or child support, contact the state agency that reported the debt instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before calling the IRS about a late refund?
Wait at least 21 days from the date the IRS accepted your return. If you filed by mail, add two to three weeks to account for processing time before that clock starts. Check the Where's My Refund tool first — if it shows your refund is still being processed, calling will not change anything.
What if the IRS says my refund was sent but my bank says they never got it?
File Form 3911 with the IRS to request a refund trace. This investigates what happened to the money between the IRS and your bank. The trace takes four to eight weeks. In the meantime, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number on your return were correct.
Can the IRS speed up my refund if I call?
No. The IRS cannot accelerate processing or override holds. Calling is only useful to find out the status or to report a problem like a missing deposit. If there is a hold, the IRS will explain why and what you need to do to resolve it.
My state refund is late — who do I call?
Contact your state's tax department directly. Each state has its own processing timeline and tracking system. Most state websites have a phone number and an online refund tracker. State refunds often take longer than federal refunds, sometimes six to eight weeks.
What if my refund was sent to the wrong bank account?
Contact your bank first to confirm the account number and routing number they have on file. If those do not match what you put on your return, the deposit may have been rejected. The IRS will eventually send a check instead, but this adds weeks. For future returns, verify your banking information before submitting.