The Internal Revenue Service claims that if you have recently lost a refund check, you’d better initiate a refund trace. First of all, you can use the Where’s My Refund tool. In this way, you can see the current status.
Then, call the IRS at 800-829-1954. Once you start the call, you will have to use the automated system. Those taxpayers who prefer 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 have filed a married filing jointly return, you will not be able to initiate a trace using the automated system. So, you should take this into account to avoid wasting your time.
What you must do in this case is to download and fill out Form 3911. If you have never used this form before, it is known as a Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.
For those taxpayers who prefer it, the IRS can send them a Form 3911 so as to get the tax refund check replacement process started. By now, 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 these two things. For example, if your check was not cashed, they will cancel it. In this way, if someone has it or you receive it later, you will not be able to cash it again.
Once the IRS cancels the check, you will get a replacement check. Unfortunately, some checks may have been cashed. In this case, the Agency will provide you with a claim package that includes a copy of the cashed check.
This information will be taken from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. After you receive this claim package, you will have to follow its instructions to complete it. The BFS can take up to 6 weeks to determine if your claim is legitimate or not. Once the signature is checked, they will issue a replacement or not.