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Official form guide
Form 3911: Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund
IRS Form 3911 is the Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund. It requests information from taxpayers who did not receive, or lost, stole, or destroyed their federal tax refund check. A separate Form 3911 must be filed for each refund.
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IRS Form 3911 - Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund
IRS Form 3911 is the Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund. It requests information from taxpayers who did not receive, or lost, stole, or destroyed their federal tax refund check. A separate Form 3911 must be filed for each refund.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Failing to sign the certification (or a required spouse signature) invalidates the request.
- 2Leaving any required line blank, such as the taxpayer identification number on lines 1 or 2.
- 3Not marking inapplicable sections as N/A, causing incomplete information.
- 4Submitting only one Form 3911 when multiple refunds are being traced.
- 5Sending the form to the comment address on page 2 instead of the provided envelope or IRS filing center.
Plain English
This form lets the IRS trace a missing or undelivered refund. You fill it out with your personal details, describe what happened to the check, and sign. The IRS then uses the information to locate or replace the refund.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2022-11-03 22:10:38
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you did not receive your federal tax refund or the refund check was lost, stolen, destroyed, or the check was not cashed within one year of the issue date.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Did not receive refund check
Needed to request a trace or replacement of the missing refund
✓ Verify you have a separate form for each missing refund
Refund check lost, stolen, or destroyed
Required to request a replacement check from the IRS
✓ Confirm you have the original check details before completing the form
Check not cashed within one year of issue date
Law requires you to contact the service for instructions on returning the check
✓ Ensure you do not attempt to cash the check
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Section I – Your name and Taxpayer Identification Number
Social Security number, ITIN, or EIN · Your tax return
Section I – Spouse’s name and Taxpayer Identification Number
Spouse’s Social Security number or ITIN · Joint tax return
Section I – Current address and phone number
Current mailing address and area code with telephone number · Personal records
Section II – Type of refund requested
Indicate "Check" or "Direct Deposit" and provide bank name, RTN, and account number if applicable · Refund documentation
Section III – Certification signature
Signature of taxpayer (and spouse if joint) and date · Signature line on the form
Before you submit
- 1Verify that you have a separate Form 3911 for each refund.
- 2Mark any inapplicable lines as N/A.
- 3Complete both taxpayer and spouse information if filing a joint return.
- 4Check the correct box for the refund status (didn’t receive, lost, stolen, destroyed).
- 5Enter the exact refund amount as shown on your original return.
- 6Include the tax period and date filed.
- 7Sign the form (and spouse’s signature if required).
- 8Use the provided envelope or mail to the IRS center where you normally file a paper return.
How to file this form
- 1Fill out all required fields on Form 3911.
- 2Attach any supporting documentation if you have a lost check.
- 3Place the completed form in the provided envelope.
- 4Mail the envelope to the IRS center where you normally file a paper return.
- 5Keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
Known limitations
- 1The form cannot be used to request a replacement for a check that was endorsed and cashed by another person.
- 2A check not cashed within one year of its issue date cannot be cashed; you must contact the service for instructions.
- 3You are not required to provide the information if the refund has already been issued, but the IRS may be unable to trace or replace it without the data.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 3911 (Rev. 10-2022) is the current edition; the source links to the IRS page for the form and does not indicate a newer revision.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm Rev. 10-2022 (Form p.1).
- Fee — Not stated in the official source.
- Mailing address — Use the envelope provided or mail to the IRS center where you normally file a paper return (Form p.2).
- Signature — confirm taxpayer (and spouse if joint) signature on line 10 (and line 11 if required) (Form p.1).
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a copy of the completed Form 3911 for at least three years.
- 2Monitor your mail for the replacement refund or correspondence from the IRS.
- 3If you receive two refunds, return one as instructed on the form.
- 4Contact the IRS if you do not hear back within the expected time frame.
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — purpose: request info for refund not received, lost, stolen, or destroyed.
- SRCForm p.1 — separate Form 3911 required for each refund.
- SRCForm p.1 — checkbox options for refund status.
- SRCForm p.1 — signature required for taxpayer and spouse if joint return.
- SRCForm p.2 — authority for SSN request is 26 U.S.C. §6109.
- SRCForm p.2 — mailing instructions: use provided envelope or mail to IRS center where you normally file a paper return.
- SRCForm p.1 — check cannot be cashed after one year; contact service.
- SRCForm p.1 — law does not allow replacement if endorsed and cashed by another.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — fee information.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — retention period.
Common confusion points
Can I use one Form 3911 for several refunds?
The source says you must complete a separate Form 3911 for each refund.
→ Count the number of missing refunds and file a distinct form for each.
What if the address on my tax return is still current?
The source instructs to enter N/A in the address‑on‑return fields if there is no change.
→ Enter N/A in those fields when the address has not changed.
Do I need to sign if the refund was from a joint return?
Both spouses must sign before the IRS can begin a trace.
→ Verify that both signatures and dates are present.
Is a representative’s name required on the form?
The representative fields are optional and only needed if you authorized someone to receive the check.
→ Leave those fields blank or N/A if you have no authorized representative.
What should I do with a check that is older than one year?
A check not cashed within one year cannot be cashed; you must contact the service for instructions.
→ Contact the IRS service for guidance on returning the check.
Can I fax the form instead of mailing it?
The form may be returned in the envelope provided or faxed to the number listed.
→ Confirm the fax number on the form before sending.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 3911 – file a new Form 3911 if the original submission is rejected
Questions about IRS Form 3911
What is IRS Form 3911 used for?
This form lets the IRS trace a missing or undelivered refund. You fill it out with your personal details, describe what happened to the check, and sign. The IRS then uses the information to locate or replace the refund.
Who must file IRS Form 3911?
Taxpayers who did not receive their federal tax refund or whose refund check was lost, stolen, or destroyed must file IRS Form 3911.
What information does IRS Form 3911 require?
The form collects the taxpayer’s name, Social Security or ITIN, current address, spouse’s information if joint, the type and amount of refund requested, and the reason the check is missing. It also requires the taxpayer’s (and spouse’s, if applicable) signature.
Where do I file IRS Form 3911?
Return the completed form in the envelope provided, fax it, or mail it to the Internal Revenue Service center where you normally file a paper tax return; do not send it to the comment address listed on page 2.
How do I complete IRS Form 3911?
First, print your current name(s), taxpayer identification number(s) and address in Section I. Next, indicate in Section II whether you did not receive the refund or if the check was lost, stolen, or destroyed, and specify the type of refund requested. Then, sign the certification in Section III (both spouses must sign for joint returns). Submit a separate Form 3911 for each refund using the provided envelope or fax number.
What happens if IRS Form 3911 is filed incorrectly?
If required information is not provided, the tracing of your refund may be delayed, and the IRS cannot issue a replacement check.
Can I use one Form 3911 for several refunds?
The source says you must complete a separate Form 3911 for each refund. Count the number of missing refunds and file a distinct form for each.
What if the address on my tax return is still current?
The source instructs to enter N/A in the address‑on‑return fields if there is no change. Enter N/A in those fields when the address has not changed.
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