Start with the IRS, but know what they can and cannot tell you
The first person to contact about a delayed refund is the IRS itself, but the answer you get depends on how long you have been waiting. The IRS considers a refund delayed only after 21 days from the date you filed electronically or longer if you filed by mail. Before that point, they will tell you the refund is still processing normally.
You have three ways to reach the IRS about a refund delay. The fastest is the IRS website tool called Where's My Refund, which you access at irs.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. This tool updates once per day and will tell you the status — whether the IRS is still processing, has approved it, or has sent it. If the tool shows your refund was sent more than a week ago and you have not received it, that is when you move to the next step.
If Where's My Refund does not give you the answer you need, you can call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Wait times are long, especially during tax season, but the representative can see details about your specific return that the online tool cannot show. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready before you call. The IRS phone line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov is the fastest first step and updates once daily with your refund status.
- Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if your refund shows as sent but you have not received it after a week, or if Where's My Refund shows an error.
- If the IRS says your refund was sent to the wrong bank account, contact your bank when ready with the return date and amount.
- A tax professional or CPA who prepared your return can sometimes access information about delays faster than you can on your own.
- State tax refunds are handled separately — contact your state revenue department if your state refund is delayed.
What to do if the IRS says your refund was sent to the wrong account
Sometimes the IRS approves and sends a refund, but it lands in the wrong bank account. This happens most often when you changed banks between tax seasons or made a typo when entering your account number on the return. The IRS cannot reverse a deposit once it has left their system, but your bank can help recover it.
Call the bank where the refund was deposited — not your current bank, but the bank account number you listed on your return. Tell them the exact date the IRS says the deposit was sent and the amount. The bank can see whether the deposit arrived and, if it did, can often reverse it and send it back to the IRS. This process takes time, sometimes several weeks, but it is the standard way to fix a misdirected refund. Ask the bank for a reference number and timeline before you hang up.
While the bank works on reversing the deposit, contact the IRS again to report the error. You can do this by calling 1-800-829-1040 or by mailing Form 3911, process for IRS Transcript of Account, to the IRS address for your state. The form tells the IRS that the refund went to the wrong place so they can track what happens next. Keep copies of all correspondence with both the bank and the IRS.
When to contact a tax professional or the Taxpayer Advocate Service
If you filed your return through a tax professional — a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparation service — that person can sometimes see information about your refund faster than you can. They have a separate IRS line for tax professionals and can request expedited status checks. If your refund is significantly delayed and you have already waited the normal timeframe, calling the tax professional who prepared your return is worth doing.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is a free IRS office that helps when you are stuck. You can contact them if the IRS has not resolved your refund delay after 30 days, or if you have called multiple times and received conflicting information. They do not speed up refunds, but they can investigate why yours is taking longer than normal and sometimes unblock problems the regular IRS line cannot fix. You reach them at 1-877-777-4778 or through your local Taxpayer Advocate office, which you can find at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov.
How to contact your state revenue department about a state refund delay
Federal and state tax refunds are processed separately, so a delayed federal refund does not mean your state refund is also delayed. Each state has its own tax authority and its own timeline. Most states process refunds within two to four weeks of approving your return, but some take longer.
To check on a state refund, go to your state's revenue or taxation department website. Most states have a refund status tool similar to the IRS Where's My Refund. Search "[your state] tax refund status" to find it. If the tool does not show your refund or shows an error, call the phone number listed on your state's website. Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready. State tax offices are usually less busy than the IRS, so wait times are often shorter.
What happens if your refund was sent by check instead of direct deposit
If you chose to receive your refund by check instead of direct deposit, the timeline is longer and the tracking is less precise. The IRS mails checks in batches, and once a check leaves the IRS, the IRS cannot tell you exactly where it is. The Where's My Refund tool will tell you when the check was mailed, but not whether it has arrived.
If the IRS says your check was mailed more than two weeks ago and you have not received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to issue a replacement check. They will verify that the original check was not cashed and can send a new one. This process takes another two to three weeks. If you find the original check later, do not cash both — contact the IRS when ready to report that you received the replacement.
When a refund delay might signal a problem with your return
Most refund delays are straightforward the IRS taking longer than expected to process. But sometimes a delay means the IRS found an issue with your return and is reviewing it. The Where's My Refund tool will say "We are reviewing your return" if this is happening. Common reasons include a mismatch between the income reported on your return and what your employer or bank reported to the IRS, or a discrepancy in your Social Security number.
If Where's My Refund says the IRS is reviewing your return, do not call yet — the review takes time and calling will not speed it up. The IRS will mail you a letter if they need more information from you. Watch your mail carefully. If you receive a letter, follow the instructions exactly and respond within the important date they give. If you do not receive a letter within 60 days of filing, then call the IRS to ask what the hold-up is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before contacting the IRS about my refund?
Wait at least 21 days if you filed electronically, or longer if you filed by mail. Before that, the IRS considers your refund to be processing normally. After 21 days, use Where's My Refund to check the status. If the tool shows your refund was sent but you have not received it after another week, call the IRS.
What if the IRS says they never received my return?
If you filed electronically, the IRS has a record of it — they may have lost track of it temporarily, but it exists. If you filed by mail, the return may still be in the queue or may have been lost in transit. Ask the IRS representative to search by your Social Security number and filing date. If they cannot find it, you may need to file an amended return or contact a tax professional for help.
Can the IRS send my refund to a different bank account than the one I listed?
No. The IRS deposits refunds only to the account number you provided on your return. If you need the refund in a different account, you must contact your bank to reverse the original deposit and have it sent back to the IRS, then file an amended return with the correct account number.
What if I moved and did not update my address with the IRS?
If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, your address does not matter — the refund goes to your bank account. If you chose a check and moved, the check may be returned to the IRS as undeliverable. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your new address so they can reissue the check to the correct location.
Is there a phone number I can call to speak to someone faster?
The main IRS number, 1-800-829-1040, is the standard line. Wait times are long during tax season. The Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 is an alternative if you have already tried the main line multiple times without resolution, but they handle cases rather than speed up refunds.