You don't send your refund anywhere — the IRS sends it to you
The IRS processes your tax return and decides whether you get a refund. You send your return to the IRS, not the other way around. Once they accept your return and calculate that you overpaid, they initiate the refund to the address or bank account you provided on your return. The money moves from the IRS to you, through one of three delivery methods.
Where your refund goes depends on how you filed and what information you gave the IRS. If you filed electronically and provided a bank account, your refund goes there by direct deposit. If you filed on paper or didn't provide banking details, the IRS mails a check to your address on file. A small number of people receive refunds on a debit card issued by the IRS's contractor.
Key Takeaways
- Send your federal tax return to the IRS using the address that matches your filing method — electronic filers use an online portal, paper filers use a specific mailing address based on your state.
- The IRS will not send your refund to a third party, a tax preparer's office, or anywhere except the bank account or mailing address you listed on your return.
- Direct deposit is the fastest refund method, typically arriving within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return.
- Paper checks take four to six weeks from acceptance, and the IRS will not reissue a check until at least 60 days have passed since you filed.
- Track your refund status on IRS.gov using "Where's My Refund?" with your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount.
How to send your return to the IRS in the first place
If you file electronically, you don't mail anything. You use tax software or a tax preparer's online system to submit your return directly to the IRS. The software encrypts your information and transmits it to the IRS's systems. The IRS sends you an acknowledgment email confirming receipt, usually within 24 hours. This is the fastest and most reliable way to file.
If you file on paper, you mail your return to an IRS address. The address depends on your state and whether you're including a payment. The IRS publishes the correct mailing address in the instructions that come with Form 1040 and on IRS.gov. Using the wrong address delays processing. If your state has a state income tax, you may also need to mail a separate state return to your state's tax department — that's a different process and a different address.
Some people use a tax preparer or CPA to file on their behalf. The preparer submits the return electronically using their own credentials. You don't handle the submission yourself, but you remain responsible for the accuracy of the information on the return.
Direct deposit: the fastest way to receive your refund
If you provided a bank account number and routing number on your return, the IRS will deposit your refund directly into that account. Direct deposit typically arrives within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, though it can be faster. You don't have to do anything after filing — the money appears in your account automatically.
Direct deposit works for checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts at banks, credit unions, and some online financial institutions. It does not work for prepaid debit cards, PayPal accounts, or investment accounts. If you want to use direct deposit but don't have a bank account, you can open one at most banks and credit unions with minimal documentation.
If you made a mistake on your banking information — wrong account number, wrong routing number, or a closed account — the IRS will reject the deposit and mail a check instead. This adds four to six weeks to your timeline. You can update your banking information on an amended return (Form 1040-X) if you catch the error before the IRS processes your original return, but once processing begins, you cannot change the delivery method.
Paper checks: what to expect if the IRS mails yours
If you didn't provide banking information or filed on paper without a bank account number, the IRS will mail a check to the address on your return. The check is mailed from the IRS's processing center, not from a local office. Processing and mailing typically takes four to six weeks from the date the IRS accepts your return.
The check is mailed to the address you listed on line 7 of Form 1040 (your current mailing address). If you've moved since filing, the check may arrive at your old address. You can update your address on IRS.gov before filing, or contact the IRS by phone if you've already filed. If the check arrives at an old address, the postal service will attempt to forward it if you filed a change-of-address form with them.
If your check doesn't arrive within six weeks of acceptance, contact the IRS using "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov. The IRS will not reissue a check until at least 60 days have passed since you filed. If 60 days have passed and the check still hasn't arrived, the IRS can issue a replacement check or deposit the refund directly to a bank account if you provide one.
IRS refund debit cards: an uncommon third option
Some taxpayers receive their refund on a prepaid debit card issued by a contractor for the IRS. This happens only if you chose this option when filing through certain tax software or tax preparer services. The card arrives by mail within two to three weeks of acceptance. You can use it like a regular debit card at ATMs and stores, or transfer the balance to your bank account.
The card comes with a fee structure — typically a small fee per transaction or ATM withdrawal, though some transactions are free. Read the fee schedule that comes with the card. If you don't want to use the card, you can transfer the money to your bank account, usually for free or a small fee, within a few days of receiving it.
This option is rarely chosen by taxpayers who have a bank account, because direct deposit is faster and has no fees. It's most useful for people without bank accounts who want to avoid waiting for a mailed check.
Tracking your refund from filing to arrival
The IRS provides a tool called "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. The tool shows you the current status: whether the return has been accepted, whether it's being processed, whether the refund has been issued, and the expected delivery date.
The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. It typically shows a status within 24 hours of e-filing, or within two weeks of mailing a paper return. If your return is still being processed, the tool will tell you to check back later. If there's a problem — a missing document, a discrepancy, or a hold — the tool will tell you what the IRS needs from you.
You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to check your refund status by phone. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. Wait times are long during tax season (January through April), so the online tool is usually faster.
What to do if your refund doesn't arrive on time
If your refund doesn't arrive by the expected date, first check "Where's My Refund?" to see if the status has changed. If the tool says the refund was issued but hasn't arrived, the delay is usually in delivery, not processing. For direct deposits, contact your bank to confirm the deposit hasn't arrived in a different account or under a different name. For checks, wait an additional two weeks before assuming it's lost.
If more than 21 days have passed since acceptance for a direct deposit, or more than six weeks for a check, and the money still hasn't arrived, contact the IRS. You can use "Where's My Refund?" to request a trace, or call 1-800-829-1040. The IRS will investigate and either confirm the refund was delivered or issue a replacement. If the original check was cashed by someone other than you, report it as a stolen check to your bank and the IRS.
If the IRS tells you the refund was deposited to the wrong account, you'll need to contact that bank to retrieve the money. Provide the bank with a copy of your tax return and the IRS's confirmation that the deposit was made. Most banks can recover funds deposited to a closed account or wrong account number within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my refund sent to my tax preparer's office instead of to me?
No. The IRS will only send your refund to a bank account or mailing address in your name. Some tax preparers offer to hold your refund temporarily while they deduct their fees, but the refund itself must be directed to you. If a preparer asks you to send your refund to their account, that's a red flag for potential fraud.
What if I filed electronically but want my refund by check instead of direct deposit?
You cannot change the delivery method after filing. If you provided a bank account, the IRS will deposit the refund there. If you want a check instead, you would need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) requesting a check, but this delays your refund by several weeks and is rarely worth it.
How do I update my address if I've moved since filing?
Update your address on IRS.gov before your refund is processed, or call 1-800-829-1040. If the check has already been mailed, file a change-of-address form with the postal service so it can be forwarded. If the check arrives at your old address and you no longer live there, contact the current resident or the postal service to retrieve it.
Will the IRS send my refund to a savings account, or only a checking account?
Direct deposit works for both checking and savings accounts. Provide the correct routing number and account number for whichever account you choose. The money will arrive in that account within 21 days of acceptance.
What happens if I provided the wrong bank account number on my return?
The IRS will attempt the deposit to the account number you provided. If that account doesn't exist or belongs to someone else, the deposit will be rejected and the IRS will mail a check instead. This adds four to six weeks to your timeline. You cannot update the account number once the return is filed.