Report your tax refund to the IRS if you received one by mistake, if the amount was wrong, or if you need to account for it on a future tax return
A tax refund shows up in your bank account or mailbox, and you realize it's not yours — or the amount doesn't match what you expected. You have a few paths depending on what went wrong. If the IRS sent money by mistake, you'll report it to them directly. If you received more than you should have, you may need to repay it on your next return. If you simply want a record of what you got, that's already tracked in IRS systems.
The method you use depends on whether you're reporting an error, returning unwanted money, or just documenting what arrived. Start by confirming the refund amount against your tax return and IRS records — sometimes the confusion is just a timing issue or a misread deposit.
Key Takeaways
- Check your IRS account at IRS.gov using your Social Security number or ITIN to see exactly what refund the IRS shows it sent you.
- If you received money by mistake or the amount is wrong, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it and ask whether you must repay it.
- If you want to return unwanted refund money, the IRS will tell you the mailing address for your specific situation — do not send cash.
- Refunds you receive are automatically reported to you on Form 1040 or your tax return transcript, so the IRS already has a record.
- If you received a refund that belongs to someone else, contact the IRS immediately rather than depositing or spending it.
Check what the IRS shows you received
Before you report anything, confirm the refund amount the IRS actually sent. Log into your IRS account at IRS.gov using your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. Go to "View Your Tax Account" and look for "Refund Status" or "Transcript." The transcript will show the exact refund amount the IRS processed for that tax year.
Compare that number to what landed in your bank account or the check amount you received. If they match, the refund was sent correctly — you may simply need to report it as income on a future return if you received it in a different tax year than you filed. If the amounts don't match, note the difference before you call.
If you can't access your online account, you can request a tax return transcript by phone at 1-800-829-1040 or by mail using Form 4506-C. The phone route is faster — you'll have the information in minutes.
Report a refund sent to you by mistake
If the IRS sent a refund that isn't yours — for example, it went to the wrong taxpayer or the wrong year — call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, the refund amount, and the date it was deposited ready. Explain that you received money that doesn't belong to you.
The IRS will ask whether you've spent the money. If you haven't, they'll give you instructions on how to return it. If you have spent it, they'll explain your options, which may include repaying it over time or having it offset against a future refund. Do not ignore a mistaken refund — the IRS will eventually notice the error, and it becomes harder to resolve the longer you wait.
The IRS may also ask you to return the money by check or money order sent to a specific address. They will provide that address during the call. Never send cash through the mail.
Return unwanted refund money
If you received your own refund but want to return it — for example, because you'd prefer to owe taxes or you changed your mind about the filing method — you can send it back. Call the IRS first at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm the correct mailing address for your situation. The address varies by IRS service center and tax year.
Write a check or money order for the exact refund amount. On the back, write your Social Security number, the tax year the refund was for, and a brief note: "Return of refund for tax year [year]." Mail it to the address the IRS provided. Keep a copy of the check or a photo of the money order receipt for your records.
Returning a refund does not change your tax liability for that year — you'll still owe the original tax amount if you didn't pay it. Returning the refund is separate from filing an amended return. If you want to change what you owe, you may need to file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) as well.
Report a refund that was too large
If you received more than you should have — for example, the IRS made a calculation error or counted a payment twice — you have two options. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the overpayment and ask how to return it. Or you can wait for the IRS to catch the error, which they usually do within one to three years, and they'll send you a bill or offset the amount against a future refund.
Reporting it yourself is faster and prevents interest or penalties from building up. The IRS will confirm the error, tell you the correct amount you should have received, and give you instructions for returning the overage. You can return it by check or money order, or in some cases the IRS will arrange an offset.
Keep documentation of any communication with the IRS about the overpayment. If you return money by mail, save the receipt. If the IRS offsets the amount, you'll see it reflected on your next refund or tax bill.
Account for a refund received in a different tax year
If you filed your 2023 tax return in early 2024 and received the refund in 2024, that refund belongs to the 2023 tax year — you don't report it as income on your 2024 return. The refund is already accounted for in the year you filed.
However, if you received a refund for one tax year but didn't file until a later year, or if you received a refund for a year you didn't file, you may need to report it. For example, if you received a 2022 refund in 2024 because you filed late, that refund is still tied to 2022 and doesn't affect your 2024 taxes.
The only time you report a refund as income is if you deducted state and local taxes on a previous return and then received a refund of those taxes in a later year. In that case, you may owe federal tax on the refund amount. The IRS will send you Form 1099-G if this applies to you, and you'll report it on your return for the year you received the refund.
What to do if someone else's refund came to your address
If a check or direct deposit arrived in your name but for a different Social Security number or tax year you didn't file, contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040. Do not deposit or cash the check. Explain that you received a refund that doesn't belong to you and provide the check number or deposit date.
The IRS will investigate and either ask you to return the check or will contact the correct taxpayer to correct their address. If you deposited it by mistake, tell the IRS right away — they can help you resolve it faster than if you wait for the bank to catch the error.
If the check is addressed to someone else entirely, you can also write "Return to Sender" on the envelope and put it back in the mail. But calling the IRS is the safest route because it creates a record that you reported the error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report my tax refund to anyone?
The IRS already has a record of your refund in their system. You only need to report it if there's an error, if you received money by mistake, or if you want to return it. If everything is correct, no additional reporting is needed.
What happens if I don't return a refund the IRS sent by mistake?
The IRS will eventually notice the error and send you a bill or offset the amount against a future refund or tax return. Interest and penalties may apply the longer the error goes unresolved. Reporting it yourself avoids these extra costs.
Can I report a refund error online instead of calling?
You can start by checking your IRS account online at IRS.gov, but you'll need to call 1-800-829-1040 to actually report an error or arrange to return money. The IRS does not have an online form for reporting refund mistakes.
If I return a refund, do I still owe the taxes for that year?
Returning a refund does not change your tax liability. If you owed taxes and received a refund instead, you still owe that tax amount. You may need to file an amended return or make a payment to settle the debt.
How long does it take the IRS to process a returned refund?
If you mail a check, allow four to six weeks for the IRS to receive and post it to your account. Keep your receipt or a photo of the check for proof. You can verify the payment was received by checking your IRS account online after six weeks.