If the IRS shows that your refund was sent but you haven’t received it, or it went to the wrong bank account, there are steps you can take to track it down or start a trace.
Once your return is accepted, april can’t reroute or recover a refund — the IRS controls refund delivery and resolution.
What if my refund status says it was sent to my bank?
If the IRS Where’s My Refund tool shows your refund was sent to your bank:
Check the deposit date shown in the tool
Allow your bank a few business days to process the deposit
Double-check the routing and account numbers you entered
In some cases, a bank may reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. If that happens, the IRS typically issues a paper check to your last known address.
What if I entered the wrong bank account information?
If you realize you entered incorrect direct deposit information:
If the IRS hasn’t processed the deposit yet, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to request a stop
If the funds were sent to a closed or invalid account, the bank may return them to the IRS
For security reasons, the IRS can’t change or reroute a refund to a different bank account once it’s been issued.
What if my refund never arrived?
If it’s been more than:
21 days since you e-filed, or
6 months since you mailed your return
…and you haven’t received your refund, you may need to request a refund trace.
To start a trace, file Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund). This tells the IRS to investigate what happened to your refund.
What happens during a refund trace?
During a refund trace, the IRS will determine whether:
Your refund was cashed or deposited
The payment was returned to the IRS
A replacement check needs to be issued
If the IRS confirms the refund wasn’t received, they’ll issue a replacement.
Important to know
april can’t access bank information, stop payments, or initiate refund traces. For missing or misdirected refunds, the IRS is the best source for help.
If you’re dealing with refund delays or want to track your refund, those topics are covered in separate articles so you can get the fastest answer possible.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, financial, accounting, or other advice. Rules and regulations vary by location and are subject to change, so please consult with an expert if you need advice specific to you.
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