The IRS does not have a single address for tax refunds
There is no single IRS address where you send a request for your refund or where refunds are mailed from. Instead, the address you need depends on what you are trying to do: mail a tax return, send a document the IRS requested, or contact someone about a refund that is delayed or missing.
The IRS processes returns at regional service centers across the country. Which center handles your return depends on your state and the type of return you filed. If you are waiting for a refund, you do not mail anything to the IRS—the refund comes to you automatically once your return is processed. If something has gone wrong or you need to send paperwork, the address changes based on what the IRS is asking for.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS mailing address for tax documents varies by state, and you can find the correct address on the IRS website or on any notice the IRS sent you.
- If you are waiting for a refund, do not mail anything—check the status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool instead.
- The IRS processes refunds at regional service centers, and your refund is mailed to the address on your return or deposited to the bank account you provided.
- If the IRS sent you a notice asking for documents, the address for that specific notice is printed on the notice itself.
- You can reach the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040 (individual returns) or 1-800-829-4933 (business returns) during business hours.
How to find the correct mailing address for your state
The IRS publishes a list of mailing addresses for each state on its official website at irs.gov. Go to the "Contact Us" section and select "Mailing Addresses" or search for "IRS mailing address by state." The list shows separate addresses for different types of returns—individual income tax returns, business returns, amended returns, and correspondence about a specific notice.
If the IRS sent you a letter or notice about your refund or your return, the address to respond to is printed on that notice. Use the address on the notice rather than a general state address, because the IRS may have routed your case to a specific office. The notice will say something like "Send to the address shown above" or "Reply to the address in the upper right corner."
Do not send documents to a local IRS office or a tax professional's office. The IRS only accepts correspondence at its official service centers. If you mail something to the wrong address, it will be forwarded, but this delays processing by weeks.
When to use the Where's My Refund tool instead of mailing
If you are simply waiting for your refund and have not received a notice from the IRS, do not mail anything. Use the Where's My Refund tool on irs.gov instead. This tool shows you the current status of your refund in real time and tells you when it will arrive.
To use Where's My Refund, you need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If your refund status shows "Approved" or "Sent," it is on its way to you. If it shows "Processing," it means the IRS is still reviewing your return.
Most refunds are processed within 21 days of the IRS receiving your return. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the refund typically arrives within 10 to 14 days after approval. If you chose a paper check, allow an additional 7 to 10 business days for mailing.
What to do if the IRS sent you a notice about your refund
If you received a letter from the IRS saying they need more information before they can process your refund, the notice will include an address and a deadline. This address is specific to your case and is different from the general state mailing address. Write your name, Social Security number, and the notice number on the documents you are sending, and mail them to the address on the notice.
Common reasons the IRS sends a notice include a missing signature, a math error on the return, or a discrepancy between your return and information they have on file (such as W-2s or 1099s). The notice will explain what is missing and what documents to send. Do not send extra documents beyond what the notice asks for—this can slow down processing.
If you miss the deadline on the notice, the IRS may deny your refund claim. If that happens, you can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) or contact the IRS by phone to ask for an extension.
How to contact the IRS by phone about your refund
If you need to speak to someone about your refund, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for individual tax returns. This line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Wait times are longest in the morning and during tax season (January through April).
Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready when you call. The IRS can look up your refund status, tell you if a notice was sent to you, and help you understand what to do next. If you are calling about a notice, have the notice in front of you so you can provide the notice number.
For business tax returns, call 1-800-829-4933. For questions about a specific notice, the phone number is on the notice itself.
Mailing addresses for common situations
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You are waiting for your refund and have not received a notice | Use Where's My Refund on irs.gov. Do not mail anything. |
| The IRS sent you a notice asking for documents | Mail documents to the address on the notice, not to a general IRS address. |
| You need to mail a tax return or amended return | Find the address for your state on irs.gov under "Mailing Addresses by State." |
| You want to follow up on a refund that is delayed | Call 1-800-829-1040 or check Where's My Refund first. |
| Your refund was mailed but you did not receive it | Call 1-800-829-1040 to report it and request a trace. |
What to do if your refund was mailed but never arrived
If Where's My Refund shows your refund was sent but you have not received it after the expected arrival date, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS can file a refund trace, which is an investigation into whether the check was lost in the mail or deposited to the wrong account.
A refund trace takes about four weeks. During that time, the IRS contacts the postal service (if a check was mailed) or your bank (if direct deposit was used) to find out what happened. If the check is found to have been lost, the IRS will issue a replacement check or deposit the refund to your account.
If you moved after filing your return, make sure the IRS has your current address. You can update your address by calling 1-800-829-1040 or by filing Form 8822 (Change of Address) and mailing it to the IRS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I email the IRS about my refund?
The IRS does not accept email for refund inquiries or tax documents. You must use the Where's My Refund tool, call 1-800-829-1040, or mail documents to the address provided on any notice you received. Some tax professionals can communicate with the IRS electronically on your behalf if you grant them power of attorney.
What if I do not know which state address to use?
Go to irs.gov and search for "mailing addresses by state." The list is organized by state and shows different addresses for different types of returns. If you received a notice from the IRS, use the address on that notice instead—it is more specific to your situation.
How long does it take for the IRS to receive mail I send them?
Mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to reach an IRS service center. If you are sending documents in response to a notice, send them at least two weeks before the deadline to allow time for delivery and processing. If the deadline is approaching, consider calling the IRS instead.
Can I pick up my refund in person at an IRS office?
No. Refunds are only issued by mail or direct deposit to the bank account you provided on your return. You cannot pick up a refund at an IRS office. If you need to speak to someone in person, you can visit a local IRS office by appointment, but they cannot hand you a refund check.
What if I sent documents to the wrong IRS address?
The IRS will forward mail that arrives at the wrong service center, but this adds two to four weeks to processing time. If you realize you sent something to the wrong address, call 1-800-829-1040 and tell them what you sent and when. They can check whether it has arrived and help you avoid delays.