The Internal Revenue Service advises that if you have recently lost a refund check, you should start a refund trace. First, you can use the Where’s My Refund tool. This way, you can see the current situation.
Then call the IRS at 800-829-1954. Once you begin the call, you must use the automated system. Taxpayers who want to speak with an agent should call 800-829-1040.
What if you filed a married filing jointly return? The IRS explains it
For your information, if you filed a married filing jointly return, you will be unable to initiate a trace through the automated system. So, to avoid wasting time, you should consider this.
In this case, you must download and fill out Form 3911. If you’ve never used this form before, it’s called a Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.
For taxpayers who prefer it, the IRS can send them a Form 3911 to begin the tax refund check replacement process. You must be wondering how the IRS processes your claim for a missing refund.
IRS processes missing refund claims in 2 ways
The Internal Revenue Service can do one of two things. For example, if your check has not been cashed, they will cancel it. This way, if someone else has it or you get it later, you won’t be able to cash it again.
Once the IRS cancels the check, you will receive a replacement. Unfortunately, some checks might have been cashed. In this case, the Agency will send you a claim package with a copy of the cashed check.
This information will be obtained from the Bureau of Fiscal Service. After receiving this claim package, you must follow the instructions to complete it.
The BFS can take up to 6 weeks to determine whether your claim is legitimate. Once the signature is verified, they will either issue a replacement or not.