When to request a reissue instead of waiting

Request a reissue of your tax refund if your original check was lost in the mail, stolen, or never arrived after eight weeks from the IRS mailing date. The IRS will not reissue a refund until at least eight weeks have passed since they mailed it — they need that window to confirm it was not delivered. If you received a notice saying your refund was mailed but you never got it, or if you deposited a check and it bounced, a reissue is your next step.

Do not request a reissue if you already cashed or deposited the check. If the check cleared your bank, the IRS considers the refund delivered, and you will need to contact your bank about a duplicate or investigate whether someone else cashed it. A reissue is only for refunds that genuinely did not reach you or were damaged before you could use them.

Key Takeaways

  • Wait at least eight weeks from the IRS mailing date before requesting a reissue, because the IRS needs that time to confirm the original check was not delivered.
  • You can request a reissue by phone at 1-800-829-1040, by mail using Form 3911, or through your IRS online account if you have one set up.
  • The IRS will issue a replacement check or direct deposit within two to four weeks of approving your reissue request, though timing varies by method.
  • If your original check was stolen or forged, you will need to file a police report and provide that report number to the IRS before they will reissue.
  • Keep records of when you first noticed the refund was missing and any tracking information from the original mailing, because the IRS may ask for proof.

How to request a reissue by phone

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the tax year of the missing refund ready. The IRS representative will verify your identity, confirm the refund was mailed, and check whether it has been cashed. If it has not been cashed or deposited, they can start the reissue process on the call.

The phone line is often busy, especially during tax season. If you cannot reach someone, try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The IRS also offers a callback feature on their website — you can request a call at a time that works for you instead of waiting on hold.

How to request a reissue by mail using Form 3911

Download or print Form 3911, Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service from the IRS website (irs.gov), or call 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to mail it to you. Fill in your name, address, Social Security number, and the tax year of the missing refund. In the description section, write that your refund check was lost in the mail or never arrived, and include the date you expected to receive it.

Mail the completed form to the IRS address for your state. The IRS website lists the correct mailing address by state. Include a copy of your tax return for that year if you have it, though it is not required. Mail takes longer than a phone call — expect four to eight weeks for the IRS to process your request by mail, compared to two to four weeks if you call.

Requesting a reissue through your IRS online account

If you have an IRS online account (create one at irs.gov/account), you can check the status of your refund and request a reissue without calling or mailing. Log in, go to the "Refunds" section, and look for your missing refund. If the status shows it was mailed but you did not receive it, you should see an option to request a reissue directly.

This method is the fastest if your account is already set up — the IRS can process it within one to two weeks. However, not all refund situations are available through the online account. If you do not see your refund listed or cannot find a reissue option, use the phone or mail method instead.

What to do if your check was stolen or forged

If someone else cashed your refund check or if the check was altered, file a police report first. Get the report number and keep a copy. Then contact the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040 or by mail with Form 3911, and tell them the check was stolen or fraudulently cashed. Provide the police report number when you request the reissue.

The IRS will investigate whether the check was actually cashed by someone else. This process takes longer than a standard reissue — typically four to eight weeks. Once they confirm the fraud, they will reissue your refund. If the original check was cashed by an unauthorized person, you may also want to contact your state's attorney general office or the Federal Trade Commission to report the theft.

Timeline for receiving your reissued refund

A reissued refund typically arrives within two to four weeks if you request it by phone or online account. If you mail Form 3911, add four to eight weeks for processing time before the reissue is issued, then another two to four weeks for the new check or deposit to arrive. The total time by mail can be two to three months.

The IRS will send your reissue as a check by default, unless you originally requested direct deposit and the IRS has your banking information on file. If you want direct deposit instead of a check, tell the IRS representative when you call, or write it clearly on Form 3911. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable than a check, so request it if possible.

What to do if your reissue does not arrive

If four weeks have passed since the IRS approved your reissue and you still have not received it, call 1-800-829-1040 again. Have the date you requested the reissue ready. The IRS can check whether the replacement check was mailed and, if it was, whether it has been cashed. If the second check was also lost, they can issue a third one or arrange direct deposit instead.

If the IRS says the reissue was mailed but you never received it, ask them to send it to a different address if possible — for example, to a trusted family member or to your workplace. You can also ask the IRS to hold the reissue at a local IRS office for you to pick up in person, though this option is not available in all locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if eight weeks have passed since my refund was mailed?

The IRS notice or letter you received should show the mailing date. Count eight weeks forward from that date. You can also check your IRS online account or call 1-800-829-1040 and ask the representative to confirm the mailing date. Do not request a reissue before eight weeks have passed, because the IRS will ask you to wait.

Can I request a reissue if I think my check was delivered but I lost it after receiving it?

No. A reissue is only for checks that were lost or never delivered by the postal service. If you received the check and then lost it, the IRS considers the refund delivered. You would need to contact your bank or the postal service to investigate, or file a police report if you believe it was stolen.

What if the IRS says my refund was already cashed?

If the IRS confirms your check was cashed but you did not cash it, report it as fraud. File a police report and provide the report number to the IRS. They will investigate whether the check was forged or altered. You may also contact your bank to dispute the transaction if the check was deposited into an account you do not recognize.

Do I need to provide proof that I did not receive my refund?

The IRS does not always require proof, but it helps to have it. Keep any notices from the IRS about your refund, the original mailing date, and any tracking information from the postal service. If you filed a police report for a stolen check, provide that report number. The IRS will ask for these details if they need to verify your claim.

Will I get my reissue as a check or direct deposit?

The IRS will reissue as a check by default. If you want direct deposit instead, tell the IRS when you call or write it on Form 3911. Direct deposit is faster and safer. The IRS needs your routing number and account number, which you can find on a blank check or by calling your bank.