You have received a tax refund check from the IRS or Delaware
A tax refund check means the IRS or Delaware Department of Revenue has processed your return and is sending you money you overpaid in taxes during the year. The check is yours to deposit or cash — there is no action required to receive it, and you do not need to do anything to claim it.
The check itself is the payment. Once it arrives at your address, you can take it to your bank, a check-cashing service, or deposit it through a mobile banking app if your bank supports mobile deposit. Delaware does not require you to do anything else with the check after you receive it.
If you are unsure whether the check is legitimate, you can verify it by checking your tax account online or calling the issuing agency directly. The IRS has a "Where's My Refund?" tool on irs.gov, and Delaware has a similar tool on dnrec.delaware.gov. Never call a number from the check itself — always look up the agency's official phone number independently.
Key Takeaways
- A tax refund check is money the IRS or Delaware sent you because you paid too much tax — you own it as soon as it arrives.
- You can deposit the check at any bank, credit union, or check-cashing service, or use mobile deposit if your bank offers it.
- The check has an expiration date — most federal refund checks expire three years from the date of issue, so deposit it before that date passes.
- If the check is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the IRS or Delaware to request a replacement, which takes two to four weeks.
- Verify any refund check through the official IRS or Delaware website before depositing it, especially if you did not expect it.
How to deposit or cash the check
Take the check to any bank or credit union where you have an account and ask to deposit it. You will need to sign the back of the check and provide your account number. Most banks deposit checks to your account within one to three business days, though some banks hold checks for longer if the amount is large or if you are a new customer.
If you do not have a bank account, you can cash the check at a check-cashing service, grocery store customer service desk, or Walmart. These services charge a fee — usually between $2 and $10 depending on the check amount — and they will give you cash immediately or a debit card load. Bring a photo ID.
If your bank offers mobile deposit, you can photograph the front and back of the check using your phone and deposit it without visiting a branch. The process is the same: sign the back, take clear photos, and submit through the app. The funds usually appear in your account within one to three business days.
When the check expires and what happens if you miss the deadline
Federal tax refund checks expire three years from the date printed on the check. After that date, you cannot cash or deposit the check at a bank or check-cashing service. Delaware state refund checks also expire three years from issue.
If your check has expired, you can still get the money, but you will need to contact the IRS or Delaware directly. For federal refunds, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov and use "Where's My Refund?" to find out how to request a replacement check or a direct deposit to your bank account. For Delaware refunds, contact the Delaware Department of Revenue at 302-577-8660.
The replacement process takes two to four weeks. The agency will issue a new check or deposit the funds directly to your bank account if you provide routing and account numbers. You will not lose the money — you just cannot use the original check after the expiration date.
What to do if the check is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your refund check never arrived, was stolen, or is damaged and cannot be deposited, contact the IRS or Delaware immediately. Do not wait until the check is close to expiring.
For a federal refund, go to irs.gov and select "Where's My Refund?" Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool will tell you the check number, amount, and issue date. If the status shows "Delivered" but you never received it, you can request a replacement. Call 1-800-829-1040 and tell them the check was not received. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready.
For a Delaware state refund, call the Delaware Department of Revenue at 302-577-8660 with the same information. They will verify the check was issued and request a replacement or direct deposit. Bring a police report if the check was stolen — some agencies require this before reissuing.
How to verify the check is real before depositing it
Tax refund scams exist, but they usually arrive as emails or phone calls, not checks in the mail. A physical check from the IRS or Delaware is almost always legitimate if the address and amount match your tax return. Still, you can verify before depositing.
For a federal check, visit irs.gov and use "Where's My Refund?" or call 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. The IRS will confirm whether the check was issued to you, the amount, and the date it was mailed.
For a Delaware check, call 302-577-8660 with the same information. Never call a number printed on the check itself — always look up the official agency number independently. Scammers sometimes include fake phone numbers on fraudulent checks.
Depositing a check made out to multiple people
If your refund check is made out to you and your spouse, or to you and another person, all people named on the check must sign the back before it can be deposited. Each person must sign in the endorsement area on the back.
If one person is unavailable or unwilling to sign, the bank will not accept the check. You will need to contact the IRS or Delaware to request a new check issued to a single person, or both people must be present at the bank to sign together. This process takes two to four weeks.
What happens if you deposited the check but it bounced
Tax refund checks from the IRS and Delaware do not bounce — they are backed by the government and will always clear. If your bank rejected a check claiming it was fraudulent or invalid, the check itself may be counterfeit or the bank may have made an error.
Contact your bank immediately and ask why the check was rejected. Ask them to provide the rejection reason in writing. Then contact the IRS or Delaware using the official numbers above and report that a check in your name was rejected. They will investigate and either confirm the check was legitimate or alert you to fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a tax refund check to someone else's bank account?
No. The check is made out to you by name, and only you can deposit it to your own account. If you want to give the money to someone else after depositing it, you can transfer it from your account or give them cash, but the initial deposit must be to your account.
What if the check amount is wrong?
Contact the IRS or Delaware immediately. For federal refunds, call 1-800-829-1040 or use "Where's My Refund?" on irs.gov. For Delaware, call 302-577-8660. Do not deposit the check until you understand why the amount differs from what you expected. They will explain the difference or issue a corrected check.
Can I deposit the check at a bank where I don't have an account?
Most banks will not deposit a check to an account you do not hold with them. Use a check-cashing service, grocery store customer service, or Walmart instead. These services charge a fee but will cash the check for anyone with a photo ID.
How long does it take for a deposited check to clear?
Most banks clear tax refund checks within one to three business days. Some banks hold checks longer if the amount is large or if you are new to the bank. Ask your bank how long they typically hold government checks.
What if I never received the check and it's been more than a month?
Use "Where's My Refund?" on irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 for federal refunds, or call 302-577-8660 for Delaware refunds. Tell them the check never arrived. They will verify the check was mailed and request a replacement, which takes two to four weeks.