Yes, the IRS still mails refund checks, and it remains the slowest way to receive your money
The IRS does mail paper refund checks, but only if you request it or if you have no other way to receive your refund. A mailed check takes 3 to 4 weeks from the time the IRS approves your refund, sometimes longer if mail is delayed in your area. The IRS will not mail a check unless you specifically choose that option on your tax return or request it after filing.
Most people who file electronically can choose their refund method when they submit their return. If you filed on paper, the IRS assumes you want a mailed check unless you provide banking information for a direct deposit instead. Once the IRS processes your return and approves the refund, it prints the check, puts it in the mail, and you have to wait for it to arrive at your address on file.
Key Takeaways
- Mailed refund checks take 3 to 4 weeks after the IRS approves your return, not counting mail delays in your area.
- You must choose the mailed check option when you file your return; the IRS will not mail a check by default if you file electronically.
- The check is mailed to the address you listed on your tax return, so updating your address with the IRS before filing prevents it from going to the wrong place.
- If your check does not arrive within 4 weeks, you can use the IRS Where's My Refund tool to confirm the check was mailed, then contact the IRS if it was lost in the mail.
Why the IRS mails checks instead of using direct deposit
The IRS offers mailed checks as an option because not everyone has a bank account. For people without banking access, a paper check is the only way to receive a refund. The IRS also mails checks to people who specifically request them, even if they have a bank account, because some people prefer not to share their banking information with the government.
Direct deposit is faster and more find, but it requires you to provide your bank account and routing number. If you do not want to do that, or if you do not have a bank account, a mailed check is your alternative. The tradeoff is time: you wait longer, and the check can be lost or delayed in the mail.
How to request a mailed check when you file
If you file electronically using tax software or a tax preparer, you will see a refund method screen before you submit. Look for an option that says "paper check" or "mailed check" and select it. Do not enter any bank account information. When you submit your return, the IRS will know to mail your check instead of depositing it.
If you file a paper return by mail, the IRS assumes you want a mailed check unless you write your bank account and routing number on the return itself. You do not need to do anything special; just mail your completed return to the IRS address for your state, and a check will be mailed to you once your return is processed.
If you already filed and chose direct deposit but now want a mailed check instead, you cannot change it after you submit. You would have to wait for that refund to be deposited, then file an amended return if you need to make other changes to your taxes. For future years, you can choose the mailed check option when you file again.
The address the IRS mails your check to
The IRS mails your refund check to the address you listed on your tax return. This is usually your home address, but it can be a P.O. box, a business address, or any address you write on the form. If you moved after filing but before the check arrives, it will go to the old address and may be returned to the IRS or lost.
If you know you are moving before your refund arrives, contact the IRS as soon as possible and provide your new address. You can do this by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or by filing a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, which will forward mail to your new home for a limited time. The Postal Service forwarding service does not always catch tax refund checks, so calling the IRS directly is more reliable.
Tracking your mailed check
You can track the status of your mailed refund check using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on the IRS website. This tool tells you whether your return has been received, whether it is being processed, and whether your refund has been approved and mailed. You can check it as soon as you file your return, though the IRS usually does not have information available for a few days after filing.
The Where's My Refund tool will tell you the date your check was mailed, but it does not track the check like a package carrier does. Once the IRS says your check has been mailed, you have to wait for it to arrive in your mailbox. If the tool says your check was mailed more than 4 weeks ago and you still have not received it, the check may have been lost in the mail.
What to do if your mailed check does not arrive
If 4 weeks have passed since the IRS mailed your check and you have not received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, the amount of the refund, and the date the check was mailed ready. The IRS can tell you whether the check was cashed or is still outstanding, and it can issue a replacement check or deposit the refund directly to your bank account if you provide one.
If the check was cashed but you did not cash it, the IRS will investigate and may issue a new check. If the check is still outstanding and was never cashed, the IRS can stop payment on it and mail a new one. The process takes time, so be patient and keep records of your calls with the IRS in case you need to follow up.
Mailed checks versus other refund methods
Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a refund, usually 1 to 2 weeks after the IRS approves your return. A mailed check takes 3 to 4 weeks or longer. If you file a paper return, processing takes longer than an electronic return, which means your check arrives even later. Some people also choose to have their refund put on a prepaid card instead of mailed as a check, which is faster than mail but slower than direct deposit.
If you have a bank account and do not mind sharing your account number with the IRS, direct deposit is the better choice. If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to use one, a mailed check is your option, and you should plan for it to take a month or more to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my refund method from direct deposit to a mailed check after I file?
No, you cannot change your refund method after you submit your return. If you chose direct deposit and want a mailed check instead, you have to wait for the direct deposit to go through, then file an amended return if you need to make other changes. For your next tax year, you can choose the mailed check option when you file.
How long does it take for a mailed refund check to arrive?
The IRS says 3 to 4 weeks from the time your return is approved and the check is mailed. This does not include the time it takes the IRS to process your return in the first place. Mail delays in your area can add more time, so plan for up to 5 or 6 weeks total from when you file.
What if I file a paper return instead of electronically?
Paper returns take longer to process than electronic returns, sometimes 4 to 6 weeks just to be received and entered into the IRS system. Once processed, your mailed check will take another 3 to 4 weeks to arrive. Filing electronically and choosing a mailed check is faster than filing on paper.
Can the IRS mail my check to a different address than the one on my return?
The IRS will only mail to the address on your tax return. If you need it mailed somewhere else, you have to contact the IRS before the check is mailed and provide your new address. Once the check is mailed, you cannot redirect it unless you file a change of address with the Postal Service, though this does not always work for tax refunds.
What happens if my mailed check is lost or stolen?
Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the refund amount. The IRS can check whether the check was cashed. If it was not, they can stop payment and mail a new one. If it was cashed by someone else, the IRS will investigate and may issue a replacement check.