Will the IRS reissue an expired refund check?

Asked by: Dr. Raymond Sawayn III  |  Last update: September 12, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (18 votes)

Yes, the IRS will reissue an expired refund check (generally valid for one year) if it has not been cashed, usually by canceling the original and sending a new one within 30 days to 6 weeks. Taxpayers should call the IRS, use the "Where's My Refund" tool, or mail the voided check with a letter to request a replacement.

What happens when a refund check expires?

What you need to do. Call us at 800-829-0115 to request a replacement check. If you have the expired check, please destroy it. When you receive the new check, remember to cash it.

What to do if an IRS check is expired?

Taxpayers with expired IRS refund checks can request a replacement by contacting the IRS directly, typically using Form 3911 or calling the IRS refund hotline. Keep the original expired check and IRS notice handy when making the request. Replacement checks may take several weeks to process.

How do I get an expired check reissued?

Take it to the bank. Call them. They will do a stop payments and reissue.

What happens to uncashed IRS refund checks?

The IRS is required to keep the filing open and hold on to unclaimed income tax refunds for three years. If you don't file for the tax refund after three years, the money becomes property of the US Treasury, and you won't be able to get it back.

How To Get An Expired IRS Refund Check Reissue? - CountyOffice.org

41 related questions found

Can a refund check be reissued?

I lost my refund check. How do I get a new one? If you lost your refund check, you should initiate a refund trace: Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 and use the automated system, or speak with a representative by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).

How to get a federal tax refund check reissued?

To get the IRS to reissue a refund check, you need to initiate a trace by filing Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) by mail or fax if your check is lost, stolen, or never arrived, or if a mailed refund expires. If the IRS sent you a CP32A notice for an expired check, call the number on the notice and destroy the old check; the IRS will send a new one in about 30 days. For direct deposit issues, use the "Where's My Refund?" tool and contact the IRS if it shows issued but you haven't received it.

How long does it take for the IRS to reissue a check?

The IRS will cancel the original check and issue a replacement. This process can take up to six weeks.

What happens if I have an expired check?

After the 6-month window has closed, a bank may choose to refuse a check. If this happens, you may need to have the check reissued. Some banks may cash the stale check for a fee or under certain conditions. The bank that issued the check may also have its own policies for dealing with stale checks.

How to get an uncashed check reissued?

Call the issuer and request a replacement check. You may need to complete some forms. Ask when you will receive the replacement check, and be on the lookout for it. If the issuer says they cannot re-issue the check because the funds were escheated to the State, check for Unclaimed Funds on the State's website.

Can I get a cheque reissued from HMRC?

If your cheque goes missing in the post, you can ask HMRC to reissue it. You can do this via webchat, so you can use a translation tool to help you if necessary.

What is the statute of limitations on IRS refunds?

The latest date, by law, you can claim a credit or federal income tax refund for a specific tax year is generally the later of these 2 dates: 3 years from the date you filed your federal income tax return, or. 2 years from the date you paid the tax.

Is the IRS no longer accepting checks September 2025?

In response to Executive Order 14247, “Modernizing Payments to and From America's Bank Account,” the IRS is making a swift transition away from sending or receiving paper checks. For the most part, the IRS will stop issuing tax refunds in the form of paper checks after September 30, 2025.

What to do with an expired U.S. Treasury check?

If you have an expired Treasury check, you must contact the federal agency which authorized issuance of the check payment. They will be able to reissue your check. If you need help identifying which federal agency issued the payment, you can use the information on the check to identify the agency .

Do checks from the IRS expire?

You usually have a year to cash your Federal refund check from the date which it was issued.

Can expired checks be reissued?

Yes, an expired check can likely be reissued. Contact the payor to request this.

How to get money from an expired check?

Accept the check.

Some banks may deposit a stale check, especially for their own customers. However, don't expect to get cash for it right away. The bank will likely hold it to be sure the issuer has sufficient funds to cover the check amount first.

Is there a grace period for expired checks?

Some businesses have “void after 90 days” pre-printed on their checks. Most banks will honor those checks for up to 180 days and the pre-printed language is meant to encourage people to deposit or cash a check sooner than later. If you've been given a check, it's best to cash or deposit it as soon as feasible.

How do I get my IRS refund check reissued?

To get the IRS to reissue a refund check, you need to initiate a trace by filing Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) by mail or fax if your check is lost, stolen, or never arrived, or if a mailed refund expires. If the IRS sent you a CP32A notice for an expired check, call the number on the notice and destroy the old check; the IRS will send a new one in about 30 days. For direct deposit issues, use the "Where's My Refund?" tool and contact the IRS if it shows issued but you haven't received it.

How long does it take to get a refund after reissue?

Refund processing by the tax department starts only after the return is e-verified by the taxpayer. Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer.

What are common IRS refund delays?

Key Takeaways. If your tax return is missing required forms or is otherwise incomplete, it can delay your refund. Errors in your tax return calculations can cause delays as the IRS may need to correct them. A mismatch between your Social Security Number and the records can significantly delay your refund.

What happens if a refund check expires?

Banks will not accept the expired check for cashing or deposit. Although the U.S. Treasury issues the checks, you must apply to the authorizing agency to reissue the expired check The IRS authorizes the Treasury to send a replacement check.

What happens to uncashed refund checks?

In addition, checks may remain uncashed due to being lost or destroyed. California Revenue and Taxation Code sections 5097 and 5102 provide that property tax refunds which remain unclaimed for four (4) years may be transferred (escheatment) to the county general fund on order of the board of supervisors.

How long does it take for the IRS to reissue a lost refund check?

Follow the instructions for completing the claim package. BFS will review your claim and the signature on the canceled check before determining whether they can issue you a replacement refund. The BFS review can take up to six weeks to complete.