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If you have filed your federal income taxes and expect to receive a refund, you can track its status. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund ready.
The IRS recommends using its online Where's My Refund tool or the mobile app, IRS2Go. These systems are updated once every 24 hours and are the fastest, easiest ways to track your refund.
You can also call the IRS to check on the status of your refund. Wait times to speak with a representative can be long. But you can avoid the wait by using the automated phone system. Follow the message prompts when you call.
Refunds are generally issued within 21 days of when you electronically filed your tax return or 42 days of when you filed paper returns. If it’s been longer, learn about reasons why your refund may be delayed or may not be the amount you expected.
Undelivered and Unclaimed Federal Tax Refund Checks
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has millions of dollars in tax refunds that go undelivered or unclaimed.
Undelivered Federal Tax Refund Checks
Refund checks are mailed to your last known address. If you move without notifying the IRS or the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), your refund check may be returned to the IRS.
If you were expecting a federal tax refund and did not receive it, check the IRS' Where’s My Refund page. You'll need to enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund. You may be prompted to change your address online.
You can also call the IRS to check on the status of your refund. Wait times to speak with a representative can be long. But you can avoid the wait by using the automated phone system. Follow the message prompts when you call.
If you are eligible for a federal tax refund and do not file a return, then your refund will go unclaimed. Even if you aren't required to file a return, it might benefit you to file if:
If you didn't file a tax return because your wages were below the filing requirement, you can still file a return within three years of the filing deadline in order to get your refund.
You can pay your federal taxes in several ways: direct pay, debit or credit card, electronic federal tax payment system, and check or money order. Find out how to make a tax payment.
Payment Options for Back Taxes
If you owe back taxes, the IRS provides options for you to pay your tax debt:
Call the phone number listed on any letters or documents you received from the IRS for help with tax payments. Learn about IRS notices and letters and the next steps to take.
Centralized Lien Operation - To resolve basic and routine tax lien issues, such as verifying a lien, requesting a lien payoff amount, or releasing a lien, call 1-800-913-6050 or write to:
Internal Revenue Service Centralized Lien Operation PO Box 145595 Stop 8420G Cincinnati OH 45250-5595
Get Copies and Transcripts of Your Tax Returns
If you need an exact copy of a prior year tax return and attachments, you can get it by mailing the following items:
$50 fee for each tax return requested. The check or money order should be made payable to the United States Treasury.
Send them to the address listed in the form's instructions. The IRS will process your request within 75 calendar days.
A transcript, which is a computer printout of your return information, may be an acceptable substitute for an exact copy of your tax return. Instead of paying for a copy of your tax return, you can request a transcript online to get the information you need quickly. Transcripts are often used to validate income and tax filing status for mortgage applications, student and small business loan applications, and during tax preparation.
Contact the IRS to get a free transcript. The IRS will send your transcript within 10 of when they received your request.
If you need federal tax returns from earlier than 3 years ago, call the IRS Transcript Order Line at 1-800-908-9946 or submit a completed form 4506-T.
The Bureau of Fiscal Services (BFS) will cross check your name and taxpayer information against its delinquent debtor database.
If there is a match, BFS will notify you that it is deducting the amount you owe from the payment you were going to receive.
BFS will send the outstanding amount to the federal or state government agency to which you owed the money.
If you owe more money than the payment you were going to receive, then BFS will send the entire amount to the other government agency. If you owe less, BFS will send the agency the amount you owed, and then send you the remaining balance.
For example, if you were going to receive a $1,500 federal tax refund, but you have been delinquent on a student loan and have $1,000 outstanding, BFS will deduct $1,000 from your tax refund and send it to the U.S. Department of Education. It will also send you a notice of its action, along with the remaining $500 that was due to you as a tax refund.
If you believe that a deduction was made in error, you should contact the agency that said you owed money, not the IRS. Call the Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107 if you need help locating the agency you need to contact.
