How to Claim the Money That the IRS Owes Me

The IRS can investigate a lost check for a tax refund.

To claim money that the IRS owes you, it is necessary to submit a tax return to get your refund. If you have submitted a federal tax return and have still not received a tax refund that is due, extra measures may be required to get your money. The problem could be an outdated address or a lost check. The first step is to get in touch with the IRS.

Instructions

1. Contact the IRS to provide it your updated address if you move after filing a tax return. If the IRS sends your refund check to an outdated address, the check will be returned to it. To update your address, call the IRS at 800-829-1954. You can also update your address using the "Where's My Refund?" tools that are located on the IRS website, IRS.gov, or on your state's department of revenue website.

2. Submit a claim to the IRS for a replacement check if it has been more than 28 days since the IRS mailed your check. If the check has not been returned to the IRS within the 28-day period, the IRS can investigate the matter to determine what happened to it. To submit a claim, call the IRS at the number in the previous step.

3. Claim your IRS refund through the state treasurer if it has been more than three years since you were due a refund. If the IRS is unable to find you for a period of three years, the money owed to you will be sent to the state treasurer for the last address the IRS has on file for you. To claim your IRS refund, search the state treasurer's "unclaimed property" database online. If an unclaimed property database is unavailable, call the state treasurer's office to claim your refund.

References

• IRS: Does the IRS Owe You Money?
• IRS: Where's My Refund?
• Our Voices: Does the IRS Owe You Money?

Resources

• IRS: Where's My Refund?