IRS Form 3911: Refund Trace Instructions, Mailing & Fax by State (2026)

What Is Form 3911?

Form 3911, officially titled "Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund," is the IRS form used to initiate a payment trace when your tax refund hasn't arrived. If your refund check was lost, stolen, destroyed, or never received, Form 3911 helps the IRS locate your payment and issue a replacement.

When Should You File Form 3911?

File Form 3911 if any of these situations apply to your missing refund:

• •It's been 28+ days since IRS mailed your refund check (check "Where's My Refund" tool)
• •It's been 5+ days since the direct deposit date but funds aren't in your account
• •Your refund check was stolen, lost, or destroyed before cashing
• •The refund amount received was different from what you expected

How to Get Form 3911

There are three ways to obtain Form 3911, the Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund:

• •Download the official PDF directly from the IRS: irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3911.pdf. This is the current, fillable version — type your answers on screen or print and complete it in black ink.
• •The IRS may mail you one. If you call the IRS about a missing refund, an agent can initiate the trace and, in some cases, mail you a pre-filled Form 3911 to sign and return.
• •Read the about page for the latest version and notices: IRS.gov — About Form 3911.

Form 3911 Instructions: How to Fill It Out

Form 3911 is short, but errors slow down your refund trace. Here is how to complete each part. The top of the form is completed by you; the boxed section at the bottom (Sections I–III on some versions) is largely for the IRS.

• •Tax year and date of refund: Enter the tax year of the return and the refund date shown in the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool or on any IRS notice.
• •Name(s) and SSN: Enter your name exactly as it appeared on the tax return, plus your spouse's name and SSN if you filed jointly. Use both Social Security numbers for a joint return.
• •Current address and phone: Provide your current mailing address (where a replacement check should go) and a daytime phone number.
• •Section I — Refund details: Check the box that matches your situation: refund not received, check lost/stolen/destroyed, or you received but did not cash the check. Enter the refund type (e.g. Form 1040), the amount, and whether it was a paper check or direct deposit.
• •Section II — Refund information: Indicate how the refund was requested (direct deposit or check) and provide bank routing/account numbers if it was a direct deposit that didn't arrive.
• •Section III — Certification: Sign and date the form. On a joint return, both spouses must sign. An unsigned Form 3911 will be returned.

Once complete, submit Form 3911 by mail or by fax to the IRS center for your state — both options are covered below.

How Long Does a Form 3911 Refund Trace Take?

A Form 3911 refund trace generally takes about 6 weeks to complete once the IRS receives the form. If the original check was never cashed, the IRS cancels it and issues a replacement after the trace finishes. If the check was cashed — for example, lost or stolen and cashed by someone else — the Bureau of the Fiscal Service investigates and may send you a claim package, which can extend the timeline beyond 6 weeks. Faxing Form 3911 to the regional IRS center for your state reaches the IRS instantly and saves the 7–10 days a mailed form spends in transit. You can check the status of a trace by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Form 3911 Fax Numbers by State (2026)

There is no single Form 3911 fax number. The IRS routes refund-trace requests to 8 regional service centers based on your state of residence, plus 2 separate numbers for business entities. Find your state below and fax to the matching IRS center.

Business Entities

If you are filing Form 3911 for a business entity, use one of these two numbers based on the location of your principal business:

Where to Mail Form 3911

If you prefer to mail Form 3911 instead of faxing, send it to the IRS service center that processes returns for your area. The IRS routes Form 3911 by where you live and how your refund was issued, so the correct mailing address depends on your situation:

• •If the IRS sent you a notice or letter about your refund, mail Form 3911 to the address shown on that notice — it routes your request to the correct unit.
• •If you have no notice, mail Form 3911 to the IRS center where you would normally file your paper tax return for your state. These addresses are listed in the latest Form 3911 instructions and on the "Where to File" pages at IRS.gov.
• •Economic Impact Payment traces use a specific address based on your state; confirm the current address on IRS.gov before mailing.

Because IRS mailing addresses change and vary by state, always verify yours on the official Form 3911 instructions at IRS.gov — About Form 3911 before sending. Faxing to the regional IRS center for your state (see the fax-numbers-by-state table above) reaches the IRS instantly.

Form 3911: Fax vs. Mail

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out & Fax Form 3911

Using FaxFlow to Send Form 3911 Easily

Don't waste time searching for a fax machine. FaxFlow lets you send Form 3911 instantly from your phone or computer with delivery confirmation.

FAQ Section

• How long does the IRS take to process Form 3911?

  

  Typically 30 days, but can take up to 6 weeks during peak season (February-May). You'll receive a replacement check once approved.

• What if I cashed my check but it was stolen?

  

  If someone else cashed your refund check, you'll need to file Form 3911 and may need to complete additional forms. The IRS will investigate and may require a police report.

• Can I check Form 3911 status online?

  

  No, you must call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to check status. Have your SSN, filing status, and refund amount ready.

• Do I need to attach any documents?

  

  Usually no. Just send the completed Form 3911. However, if your check was cashed fraudulently, you may need to provide additional documentation later.

• Will I get my refund faster by faxing?

  

  Yes, faxing is typically faster than mailing. Faxed forms reach the IRS immediately, while mail can take 7-10 days just to arrive.

• Where do I mail Form 3911?

  

  Mail Form 3911 to the IRS service center for your state, or to the address on any IRS notice you received about the refund. With no notice, use the "Where to File" address for paper returns in your state from the Form 3911 instructions on IRS.gov. Faxing to the regional IRS center for your state (see the fax-numbers-by-state table above) reaches the IRS instantly.

• Can I file Form 3911 online?

  

  No. The IRS has no online portal for submitting Form 3911 — it must be mailed or faxed. In some cases you can request a refund trace by phone (1-800-829-1954 or 1-800-829-1040), but most filers complete the paper form and send it to the IRS center for their state. Faxing it online with FaxFlow delivers it as a standard fax with confirmation, but it is still a fax, not an IRS web filing.

• How long does a Form 3911 refund trace take?

  

  About 6 weeks once the IRS receives the form. If your check was never cashed, the IRS reissues it after the trace; if it was already cashed, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service investigates and the timeline can run longer. Faxing reaches the IRS instantly versus 7–10 days for mail.