Your tax refund check is money the IRS or Delaware Department of Revenue sent you because you overpaid taxes during the year

A tax refund check means you paid more in federal or state income tax than you actually owed. The government is returning the difference. The check comes from either the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if it is a federal refund, or the Delaware Department of Revenue if it is a state refund. Some people receive both at different times.

The check will have your name, address, and a check number printed on it. It will also show the amount and the tax year it covers. You can deposit it into a bank account, cash it at a bank or check-cashing service, or in some cases mail it back if there is an error on the amount or your name.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal refund checks come from the IRS; Delaware state refund checks come from the Department of Revenue, and they arrive on different schedules.
  • You can deposit the check into any bank account, cash it at your bank or a check-cashing service, or hold it until you are ready to use it.
  • If the check has the wrong amount or your name is misspelled, contact the issuing agency before you try to cash it.
  • Uncashed checks do not expire, but the IRS and Delaware may stop honoring them after a certain period if you never deposit them.

How to deposit or cash your refund check

You can deposit the check into a bank account at any bank or credit union, whether or not you have an account there. Bring the check and a photo ID. If you have a mobile banking app, many banks let you deposit by taking a photo of the front and back of the check without visiting a branch.

If you do not have a bank account, you can cash the check at your bank, at a check-cashing service, or sometimes at a grocery store or pharmacy that offers check cashing. Check-cashing services charge a fee, usually between 1 and 3 percent of the check amount. Banks may cash the check for free if you have an account with them, or charge a small fee if you do not.

You do not have to cash or deposit the check right away. The check is yours once it arrives, and you can hold it as long as you want before depositing it.

What to do if the check amount or your name is wrong

Do not try to cash or deposit a check if your name is misspelled, the amount looks incorrect, or something else seems off. Contact the agency that issued it first.

For a federal refund check, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the check number ready. The IRS can tell you whether the amount is correct and what to do next if there is an error.

For a Delaware state refund check, contact the Delaware Department of Revenue at 302-577-8660 or visit dnrec.delaware.gov/revenue. They can verify the amount and your name on file. If there is a mistake, they will issue a corrected check.

When refund checks stop being valid

Refund checks do not have an expiration date printed on them, but both the IRS and Delaware have rules about how long they will honor them. The IRS will not cash a federal refund check more than three years after the date it was issued. Delaware follows a similar rule for state refund checks.

If your check is older than three years and you have not cashed it, contact the issuing agency. They can issue a replacement check or direct you to claim the money another way. Do not assume an old check is worthless without checking first.

Tracking your refund before the check arrives

If you are waiting for a refund check and want to know when it will arrive, you can track it. The IRS offers a tool called "Where's My Refund?" on irs.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. The tool updates once per day and tells you the expected delivery date.

For Delaware state refunds, visit dnrec.delaware.gov/revenue and look for the refund status tool. You will need your Social Security number and the tax year. The status will tell you whether your refund has been processed and when the check was mailed.

If you never received the check

Checks can be lost or delayed in the mail. If you were told a check was mailed but you have not received it after two weeks, contact the issuing agency. Have the check number if you can find it in your tracking information.

The IRS or Delaware Department of Revenue can tell you whether the check was cashed, is still in the mail, or needs to be reissued. If the check was lost, they will send you a replacement. If someone else cashed it, they can help you report it and investigate.

What happens if you owe money to Delaware or the federal government

If you owe back taxes, child support, or other debts to Delaware or the federal government, your refund check may be intercepted before it reaches you. This is called a tax offset or offset. The money goes toward what you owe instead of being sent to you.

If you think your refund was offset, contact the IRS or Delaware Department of Revenue to confirm. They can tell you what debt caused the offset and what your options are to resolve it. You may be able to set up a payment plan or dispute the debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit someone else's refund check into my account?

No. A refund check is issued to the person whose name is on it. Only that person can cash or deposit it. If you receive a check with someone else's name, contact the issuing agency to return it or have it reissued to the correct person.

What if I lost the check?

Contact the IRS or Delaware Department of Revenue right away. They can tell you whether the check was cashed. If it was not, they will issue a replacement. If it was cashed by someone else, report it as fraud and they will investigate.

Do I have to report the refund as income?

No. A tax refund is your own money being returned to you, not new income. You do not report it on your next tax return.

Can I split my refund between two bank accounts?

If you received the check, you can deposit part of it into one account and cash the rest. However, if you filed your tax return and chose direct deposit, you could have split it then. Once the check is issued, you can only deposit or cash it as a whole.

What if the check is damaged or torn?

A slightly torn or damaged check can usually still be deposited or cashed. Try depositing it at your bank first. If the bank refuses it, contact the IRS or Delaware Department of Revenue for a replacement check.