Anyone with refund check mailed 3/15 receive it yet? Direct deposit switched to paper check

Paper check delivery is currently experiencing delays. Here's what you should know: • USPS is reporting 7-14 business day delivery times for government checks • The 21-day timeframe from IRS is accurate for this tax season • If your check was mailed 3/15, you should expect it by 4/5 at the latest • If it doesn't arrive by then, you can request a payment trace • Use Form 3911 for the trace after 6 weeks have passed • Direct deposit to check conversions often happen due to bank verification issues

Did you check if your bank information was entered incorrectly? Or could your bank have rejected the deposit for some reason? I had a similar situation last year and wondered if it was because my routing number was off by one digit? Or maybe the IRS has some kind of verification system that flagged something?

I had exactly the same issue with a 3/8 mail date. My check finally arrived yesterday - precisely 18 days after the mail date. The IRS switches to paper checks for several reasons: incorrect account numbers (even 1 digit off), closed accounts, or accounts not matching the name on the return. In my experience, the 21-day estimate is actually accurate despite what USPS delivery standards suggest.

I waited 24 days for my check last year. It was frustrating. I called IRS many times. No answers. Finally used Claimyr. Got through in 15 minutes. Agent confirmed my check was actually mailed later than transcript showed. Worth the fee to stop worrying. Here's their link: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c

I would probably wait the full 21 days before worrying too much. In my experience, which is somewhat extensive with tax matters, these delivery estimates from the IRS tend to be fairly accurate, though perhaps a bit conservative. It's possible, though not guaranteed, that there are some minor USPS delays in certain regions that could be affecting delivery times.

I was in the same boat last year! My direct deposit got switched to a check without any notification and I was checking my mailbox every single day like a madman. Took exactly 19 days to arrive even though the IRS website said it was mailed on the date shown. When I finally got it, the postmark was actually 5 days later than what my transcript showed! So grateful for the people here who helped me understand what was happening instead of just stressing out alone.

My check was mailed 3/1 and just arrived yesterday. Has your address changed recently? Did you file with a tax preparer who might have entered wrong banking info? Are you sure your transcript shows actual mailing and not just the notice of the change from direct deposit?

I'm in a very similar situation - my refund was also mailed 3/15 according to my transcript and switched from direct deposit to paper check (also showing code 971). Haven't received it yet either, which has me concerned since I need it for upcoming medical expenses too. Based on what others are sharing here, it sounds like we're still within the normal timeframe, but it's definitely nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money. I'm going to wait until early April before taking any action, but thanks for posting this - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this timing issue right now.

I'm also waiting on a 3/15 mailed check with code 971 - same exact situation as you and several others here. It's reassuring to see I'm not alone in this timing. Based on what Carmen shared about their 3/8 check taking 18 days, we're probably looking at receiving ours around April 2nd-5th. The medical expense planning aspect makes the wait especially stressful, but it sounds like we're still well within normal parameters. I've been checking my mailbox obsessively too! Will update when mine arrives to help others track the timing.