What if I lost my tax refund check?
If you lost your refund check, you should initiate a refund trace: Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 and use the automated system, or speak with an agent by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).
Contact your local IRS office and tell them what happened. They can stop payment on that check if it hasn't been cashed and will issue you a new one.
Refund checks are good for a year from the issue date. If it's been more than a year, you must send us a request to receive a new check. Complete your request on a replacement form.
The IRS states that you can typically expect a response regarding the trace of your tax refund within six weeks. However, this is an estimated timeframe and applies to cases that are straightforward. During peak periods, especially around the tax season, the process may take longer.
Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 (toll-free) and use the automated system, or speak with a representative by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).
The United States Department of Treasury automatically voids all uncashed checks after one year from the date of issue and returns the funds to the issuing agency. Stale-dated and uncashed checks can only be re-issued within 6 years from the original date of issue, per the Barring Act 31 U.S.C. 3702(b).
If the IRS sent the refund, but it was never received, use Form 3911 to request a “refund trace.” Fill out Section I and Section II, then sign and date in Section III. Mail in the form, or fax it, to the appropriate office listed on the IRS website.
Answer: If you lost your refund check, you should initiate a refund trace: Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 and use the automated system, or speak with an agent by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).
Step 1: Log in to the e-Filing portal using your user ID and password. Step 2: On your Dashboard, click Services > Refund Reissue.
- Call us at 800-829-0115 to request a replacement check.
- If you have the expired check, please destroy it.
- When you receive the new check, remember to cash it.
What happens if someone steals your IRS refund check?
If your original refund check was cashed, you'll receive a claim package within six weeks to complete and return to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service to process your claim. If the Bureau of the Fiscal Service determines the check was forged, it will issue a replacement refund check and notify the IRS.
Form 3911 is completed by the taxpayer to provide the Service with information needed to trace the nonreceipt or loss of the already issued refund check.
Claim a refund
You risk losing your refund if you don't file your return. If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within 3 years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.
To use Chat without a mouse, use the Tab key to cycle through the screen (left to right, top to bottom), until you arrive at the Chat icon/bubble. Then press the Enter key to start the Chat application. Once you're in Chat, on the line labeled "Type a message here," type the name of the topic you want.
Phone help. Where's My Refund has the latest information on your return. If you don't have internet, call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954 for a current-year refund or 866-464-2050 for an amended return. For prior-year refunds, check Where's My Refund.
You can call 1-800-829-1040 to get answers to your federal tax questions 24 hours a day. Tax forms and instructions for current and prior years are available by calling 1-800-829-3676. You can also order free publications on a wide variety of tax topics.
Report your lost, missing, stolen, or expired federal check or direct deposit to the agency that issued the payment. Search for the issuing agency using the A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies. To get an update on your claim, contact the Bureau of the Fiscal Service Call Center.
To replace a lost or stolen tax refund check, you can request a refund trace. The IRS uses refund traces to track lost or stolen checks or verify whether a check was deposited. Find out how to request a refund trace and replace your refund check.
Quickly report the loss to your bank and also file a report with the police. If you don't, you could be held responsible for any unauthorized activity. If you know the numbers of the missing checks, you may choose to put a stop payment on each one. Consider putting a freeze on the account or closing it.
I lost my refund check. How do I get a new one? If you lost your refund check, you should initiate a refund trace: Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 and use the automated system, or speak with an agent by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).
How long does it take IRS to respond to form 3911?
The IRS generally responds to Form 3911 requests within six weeks, but there may be delays due to unforeseen circumstances like staffing shortages or high requests.
IRS toll-free help
You may call 800-829-1040 with any Federal tax questions.
Please contact FDS.customersupport@fiscal.treasury.gov or paymentintegrity@fiscal.treasury.gov. Replace an Expired Check: If you have an expired Treasury check, you must contact the federal agency which authorized issuance of the check payment. They will be able to reissue your check.
Do Banks Keep Records of Cashier's Checks? Yes, banks keep records of cashier's checks and these checks are traceable. The bank will have a record on file and the recipient of the check will also be able to trace the check.
Visit www.irs.gov/paymentplan for more information on installment agreements and online payment agreements. You can also call us at 1- 800-829-0922 to discuss your options. For information on how to obtain your current account balance or payment history, go to www.irs.gov/balancedue.
