It is probably not an exaggeration to say that millions of taxpayers are still in the dark about the exact time the IRS will send a check to their address. A lot of the people still rely on the good-old postal system for their refund checks and other IRS payments rather than an electronic transfer and in such cases the timeline can remain uncertain. Besides the fact that they are delivered electronically, checks can still be faster but at the same time slow.
To begin with, we will enumerate the whole process of the IRS check sent to your address. In addition, we will describe how long a check takes and what to do next if it has never arrived.
Why does the IRS send paper checks?
The same can be said for when someone still has direct deposit as their option of choice, sometimes it happens that the IRS sends a postal check by default. Basically, a physical check gets to you in scenarios such as the ones below:
- You had provided no banking details in the return document
- Your bank account was closed or the deposit application was not approved
- Your return was corrected or amended and you are entitled to get back overpaid tax
- The tax authority has to verify your information, so they decide to send your money through the mail
Regardless of how the payment is traced, the typical process of the IRS check to your address involves it being shipped only when the tax return is completely worked out and a debt is determined, if any.
How long does it take?
Most people find out the timing of their check of utmost importance.
If the check delivers as per schedule, a 846 refund issued code will pop up on your IRS transcript or WMR will display a message about the refund. Whenever the last status change is a mailed date, then don’t doubt it, the IRS post’s the mail on that freezed date at the earliest.
At this moment, we are relying on the U.S Postal Service for the next steps. Almost all checks will get to you between 5 and days depending on how busy the post office is, but some will take longer especially during holiday seasons and bad weather.
If the only thing you’re concerned about is checking daily if the IRS has actually mailed your check, then I have the answer you’re looking for: always search for your transcript first and then add a full week to the date of issue.
What do I do if it doesn’t reach me?
If the IRS website says that the refund has been “mailed” but the check is still missing after 4 weeks, exciting, the next options are:
- Dial 800-829-1954 to speak to an IRS representative
- Ask for a refund trace
- The IRS will cancel and reissue the check as soon as they get the report it’s missing or has been stolen
Moreover, make sure to change your address with the IRS when moving. When you do not inform the IRS about your new address by filing Form 8822, the check may be delivered to the wrong place.
What could I do right now to avoid this the next time?
Selecting direct deposit when filing your next return allows you to skip these issues and get your money faster. The money will be available in 7 to 10 days after the return is approved, which is quicker and safer than waiting for the paper check. You can only wait for the paper check this year if you are not able to go for direct deposit — just be patient and learn about the way to track it.
Conclusion
The correspondence from the IRS to your physical location is in direct correlation with the information you used in your tax process, your payment method, and whether there were any issues with the payment. It’s important that you allow at least a week for delivery after mailing out your check. If the check doesn’t arrive don’t wait — be proactive.
Are there any doubts still brewing in your mind? Share your refund date or transcript codes with me in the comments — I’m here to help you understand the meaning.
