Start with the IRS directly, not your tax preparer or bank

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal agency that processes your tax refund. If you filed a federal income tax return and are waiting for money back, the IRS is your first contact. Your tax preparer, accountant, or bank cannot release a refund — they can only tell you what they see in their own records.

The IRS has three main ways to reach them about a refund: their website, their phone line, and in person at a local office. Each route works best for different situations, and knowing which one fits your question saves you time.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS processes federal tax refunds, and you can check the status of yours on IRS.gov using "Where's My Refund?" without calling or visiting an office.
  • Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours if you need to speak to someone, though wait times are often long during tax season.
  • If your refund is delayed beyond the normal timeframe, the IRS can investigate, but you will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount.
  • State tax refunds are handled by your state's tax agency, not the IRS, so contact your state revenue department if your state return is the issue.
  • If you filed through a tax preparer and suspect fraud or an error on the return itself, contact that preparer first before calling the IRS.

Check your refund status online before calling

The fastest way to get an answer is the IRS website tool called "Where's My Refund?" at irs.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool tells you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, or has issued the refund.

This tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If your refund shows as issued, it tells you the deposit date or check mailing date. Most refunds arrive within 21 days of the IRS receiving your return, though some take longer if the return needs review.

If "Where's My Refund?" shows your refund as still processing and you filed more than 21 days ago, that is when calling the IRS makes sense — the tool will tell you that too, and suggest you call.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you need to speak with someone

The IRS phone line is 1-800-829-1040. It is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready before you call.

Wait times are longest during tax season (January through April) and can exceed an hour. If you reach an agent, they can see the same information "Where's My Refund?" shows, plus notes if your return is flagged for review or if there is a problem the IRS found.

If the agent tells you your refund is delayed because the IRS is reviewing your return, ask what they are reviewing and what documents they may need from you. Some returns are held for identity verification or because income reported on your return does not match what employers or banks reported to the IRS.

Visit an IRS office in person if you need to show documents

The IRS has local offices in most cities. You can find the nearest one at irs.gov by searching "IRS offices near me" or calling 1-800-829-1040 to ask for the address and hours.

Going in person makes sense if the IRS has asked you to provide documents (like proof of income or identity), if you suspect fraud on your account, or if you have already called multiple times and need escalation. Bring your Social Security card or other ID, your tax return, and any documents the IRS mentioned in a letter.

You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some require one. Call ahead or check the office website to confirm.

Contact your state tax agency for state refund questions

If you are asking about a state income tax refund rather than a federal one, the IRS cannot help you. Each state runs its own tax system and refund process. Search online for "[your state] tax refund status" or "[your state] department of revenue" to find the right agency.

Most states have their own "Where's My Refund?" tool similar to the IRS version. Some states process refunds faster than the federal government, and some slower — it depends on the state.

What to do if you think there is fraud on your account

If someone else filed a return using your Social Security number, or if you see a refund issued that you did not request, contact the IRS when ready. Call 1-800-829-1040 and tell the agent you suspect identity theft or fraud.

The IRS will flag your account and may issue you an Identity Protection PIN, a six-digit number only you know that you must enter on future returns. This prevents someone else from filing in your name. The process takes time, but it stops the fraud from happening again.

You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov, which creates an official record and may help if the fraud affected other accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to get a refund after I file?

Most refunds arrive within 21 days of the IRS receiving your return. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, it is usually faster than a paper check. Some returns take longer if the IRS needs to review them for errors or inconsistencies.

Can my tax preparer or bank tell me where my refund is?

Your tax preparer can see whether they submitted your return to the IRS, but they cannot see the refund status — only the IRS can. Your bank can see when a deposit arrives, but not whether it is coming. Use "Where's My Refund?" or call the IRS for the actual status.

What if the IRS says my refund was issued but I never received it?

If the refund was issued as a direct deposit, check with your bank to see if it arrived in a different account or was rejected. If it was mailed as a check, wait a few more days — mail takes time. If more than two weeks have passed since the issue date, call the IRS and they can investigate whether the check was lost.

Do I need to contact the IRS if my refund is smaller than I expected?

Not necessarily. Review your tax return to see what happened — common reasons include owing back taxes or student loan debt, which the government can take from your refund. If you think there is an error on the return itself, contact your tax preparer first. If you prepared it yourself and found a mistake, you can file an amended return.

What if I moved and the IRS mailed my check to my old address?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your new address. They can issue a replacement check to your current address. You can also file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, which may forward the check if it has not been delivered yet.