How to know if a tax refund you're expecting is legitimate
A real tax refund comes from the IRS after you file a return showing you overpaid taxes during the year. The IRS processes your return, calculates what you're owed, and sends the money by direct deposit or check. If you filed a return and the IRS accepted it, your refund is real — but scammers often impersonate the IRS to trick you into sending money or personal information before a legitimate refund ever arrives.
The key difference: the real IRS never contacts you first about a refund. They don't call, text, or email to tell you money is coming. They don't ask you to verify information or pay a fee to release your refund. If someone claiming to be from the IRS is reaching out to you, it's a scam.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS will never call, text, or email you about a refund — they only mail official notices to your address on file.
- Scammers pose as the IRS to collect personal information, bank details, or upfront payments before your real refund arrives.
- You can check your actual refund status for free on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool with your Social Security number and filing status.
- If someone contacts you claiming to be the IRS and asking for money or information, hang up or delete the message and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
- Real tax refunds take 21 days or longer to process after the IRS accepts your return, depending on the method you choose to receive it.
How the IRS actually contacts you about refunds
The IRS communicates through the mail only. If your return is accepted and you're owed a refund, you'll receive an official notice in your mailbox at the address you listed on your return. The notice will have an official IRS letterhead, a reference number, and details about your refund amount and expected delivery date.
You will not receive a phone call, text message, or email from the IRS about your refund. This is a hard rule with no exceptions. If someone calls claiming to be from the IRS, they are lying. If you get a text or email with an IRS logo asking you to click a link or confirm information, it's fake.
The only way to check your refund status between receiving official mail is to go to IRS.gov yourself and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. This tool updates once per day and shows you the current status and expected deposit or mailing date.
Red flags that a refund offer is a scam
Scammers use several tactics to make fake refund offers seem real. Watch for these warning signs: someone contacts you first (the IRS never does), they ask you to pay a fee or tax to unlock your refund, they demand payment by gift card or wire transfer, they ask for your Social Security number or bank account details over the phone, or they create urgency by saying your refund will expire or be forfeited if you don't act immediately.
Another common scam involves fake tax refund websites that look like IRS.gov but have a slightly different web address. Scammers use these sites to collect your personal information when you try to check your refund status. Always type IRS.gov directly into your browser or search for it — don't click links in emails or texts.
Refund advance companies are a gray area. These are real businesses that offer to give you money before your refund arrives, but they charge high fees and interest rates. They're not scams in the legal sense, but they cost you money. If you're waiting for a refund, it's almost always better to wait for the real one than to pay a company to speed it up.
What to do if you think your refund is real but you're unsure
Check your refund status yourself on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool. This is free and takes two minutes. You'll see whether the IRS has accepted your return, whether a refund has been issued, and when it will arrive. If the tool shows a refund is coming, it's real. If it shows no refund or no record of your return, then either your return hasn't been processed yet or something is wrong with your filing.
If you filed your return and the IRS accepted it, your refund is legitimate — it just takes time. Standard processing is 21 days after acceptance. If you chose direct deposit, the money arrives in your bank account within that timeframe. If you chose a mailed check, add another week or two for postal delivery depending on where you live.
If you're still waiting after 21 days, check the "Where's My Refund?" tool again. If it still shows your refund is being processed, wait longer — some returns take 60 days or more if they need manual review. If the tool shows an error or no record of your return, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to find out what happened.
How to report a fake refund scam
If someone contacts you claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money or personal information, report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). You can file a report online at tigta.gov or call 1-800-366-4484. Include details about how they contacted you, what they asked for, and any information you gave them.
Also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC collects reports from people who've been targeted by scams and uses that data to track trends and warn the public. If you lost money, file a report with your local police department as well, even though they may not investigate — the report creates an official record.
If you received a phishing email or text pretending to be from the IRS, forward it to phishing@irs.gov before deleting it. If it was a text message, you can also report it to your phone carrier. These reports help the IRS and law enforcement identify and shut down scam operations.
What happens if you gave a scammer your information
If you already gave someone your Social Security number, bank account details, or other personal information thinking they were from the IRS, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company and tell them you may be a victim of fraud. Ask them to monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
File a report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov. This creates an official record and gives you a recovery plan. You can also file a police report in your jurisdiction. If money was taken from your account, your bank may be able to reverse the transaction if you report it quickly enough.
Monitor your credit report for the next year. You can get a free report from each of the three bureaus once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Look for accounts or inquiries you don't recognize. If a scammer used your information to open accounts or file a fraudulent tax return in your name, you'll need to dispute those with the credit bureaus and the IRS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the IRS call me about my refund?
No. The IRS communicates about refunds only through official mail sent to your address on file. If someone calls claiming to be from the IRS about your refund, it's a scam. Hang up and report the call to TIGTA at tigta.gov or 1-800-366-4484.
What if I see a refund in my bank account but I don't remember filing?
Check your IRS account on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool. If it shows a refund was issued, log into your tax software or check your records to see if you filed a return. If you didn't file and money appeared in your account, contact your bank immediately — it may be fraud or a misdirected deposit.
How long does a real tax refund take?
The IRS processes most returns within 21 days of acceptance. Direct deposit refunds arrive in your bank account within that window. Mailed checks take an additional 7 to 14 days depending on postal delivery to your location. Some returns require manual review and take 60 days or longer.
Is it safe to use a refund advance company?
Refund advance companies are legal businesses, not scams, but they charge high fees and interest rates for giving you money before your real refund arrives. It's almost always cheaper to wait for your actual refund from the IRS, which is free. Only use a refund advance if you have an urgent financial need and can't wait.
What should I do if I think my refund was stolen?
Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and explain what happened. If your refund was deposited into a bank account that isn't yours, the IRS can investigate and may be able to recover the money. Also contact your bank and file a fraud report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with local police.