How to properly send back a completed Form 3911 for missing tax refund?

The Form 3911 needs to be mailed to the same IRS service center where you originally filed your tax return. The address should be on the instructions that came with the form, but if not, you can find the correct mailing address on the IRS website based on your state. Don't fax the form unless specifically instructed to do so. There's no online submission option for Form 3911 currently - it must be submitted by mail. Make sure you include all requested documentation, especially a copy of the tax return if they ask for it. Keep a copy of everything you send, and I recommend using certified mail with a return receipt so you can track it and prove it was delivered. Once received, the IRS typically takes about 6-8 weeks to process a refund trace, though it can sometimes take longer.

I went through this exact situation last year! After waiting 3 months for a refund that supposedly was "sent," I had to file the Form 3911. What saved me tons of time was using https://taxr.ai to make sure I filled out the form correctly. Their system analyzed my situation and showed me exactly what information to include in each section of the 3911. The most important part was Section I where you have to provide all the details about your return. Make sure both you and your spouse sign in Section III since you filed jointly! I sent mine to the address listed on the 1040 instructions for my state, and it worked perfectly.

Just wanted to update everyone - I took the advice about using https://taxr.ai and it was incredibly helpful! The system walked me through exactly how to complete Form 3911 for my specific situation and even pointed out that I needed to check box 1a since my refund was supposedly direct deposited but never showed up in my account. I mailed it certified mail last month to the address for my region, and just got notification that they're reissuing my refund! The IRS actually called me to verify my banking details because they found the original had an incorrect routing number. Would never have figured that out without going through this process.

If you're having trouble reaching the IRS to ask questions about your Form 3911, I highly recommend using https://claimyr.com. I spent WEEKS trying to get through to an actual person at the IRS about my missing refund situation. Then I found Claimyr, and they got me connected to an IRS agent in less than 15 minutes! You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent was able to tell me exactly where to send my Form 3911 based on my tax return details and confirmed they had the wrong direct deposit info on file. Saved me from sending it to the wrong department which would have delayed things even more.

I was super skeptical about Claimyr when I first saw it mentioned here. Seemed like it had to be a scam. But after trying for THREE DAYS to get through to the IRS about my missing refund and Form 3911, I was desperate enough to try anything. I'm honestly shocked to report that it worked exactly as advertised. Got a call back in about 20 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line who looked up my file. Turns out I was about to send my form to the wrong address! The agent gave me the correct department address based on my specific case. Just got confirmation yesterday that they received my form and are processing my replacement refund now.

Make sure both you AND your spouse sign the Form 3911 if you filed jointly! My brother made the mistake of only having one signature, and it delayed his refund trace by over a month because they sent the form back requesting the second signature. Also, Section I is where most people make mistakes. Double-check that all the information matches EXACTLY what was on your original tax return - especially the refund amount down to the cent.

Has anyone had success getting their refund after filing Form 3911? I'm in the same situation (filed in March, IRS says refund was sent in May but never got it) and wondering if it's even worth going through all this hassle or if I should just give up on ever seeing that money.

I just went through this exact process last month and wanted to share what worked for me. First, don't panic - the Form 3911 process really does work, but you need to be meticulous about the details. For mailing, I sent mine to the IRS Processing Center address listed in the instructions for my state (I'm in California, so it went to Fresno). Used certified mail with return receipt like others mentioned - cost about $8 but totally worth the peace of mind. The most important thing I learned: if you filed jointly, BOTH spouses must sign the form in Section III. Also, in Section I where it asks about the refund amount, make sure you use the exact amount from line 35a of your 1040, not what you thought you'd get or what shows in "Where's My Refund." Timeline-wise, I mailed my form on March 15th, got the certified mail receipt showing delivery on March 18th, and received my replacement refund via direct deposit on May 2nd. The IRS never updated their online tools during this process, so don't rely on those for status updates. One tip that saved me time: I called the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 after 4 weeks to check on progress. They were much easier to reach than the main IRS line and could see that my case was actively being processed. Hang in there - you WILL get your money! The system is slow but it works.

I'm dealing with this same frustrating situation right now! Filed in January, supposed to get my refund in March, and here we are in July with nothing. The "Where's My Refund" tool has been stuck on "Your refund was issued" since April, but my bank account tells a different story. I've already filled out Form 3911 but was hesitant to mail it without being 100% sure about the process. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - especially knowing that multiple people have successfully gotten their refunds after going through this. One question for those who've been through this: should I include a cover letter explaining my situation, or just send the completed form by itself? Also, has anyone had issues with the IRS claiming they never received the form? I'm paranoid about it getting lost in the mail and having to start over again. Planning to send mine certified mail tomorrow to the address listed for my state. Fingers crossed this nightmare will be over soon!

I just wanted to add one more tip that saved me a lot of stress when I went through this process earlier this year. Before mailing your Form 3911, call your bank to confirm they don't have any record of the refund deposit attempt. In my case, the IRS said the refund was "issued" but my bank showed no trace of any deposit attempt - not even a failed one. This information was actually helpful when I later spoke with the IRS agent, because it confirmed that the refund was never actually sent to my account. Also, make sure to update your address with the IRS if you've moved since filing your return! I almost made this mistake because we moved in May, after filing in February. The IRS would have sent any correspondence about the Form 3911 to our old address, which could have delayed everything even more. One last thing - keep checking your mail for IRS letters even after you submit the form. Sometimes they'll send a notice asking for additional information or confirming they received your form, and you'll want to respond quickly to avoid any delays in processing your refund trace.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and can definitely relate to your frustration! Here's what worked for me: First, make absolutely sure you're mailing the Form 3911 to the correct IRS service center. Don't just use any IRS address - it needs to go to the specific processing center that handles your state. You can find this on the IRS website under "Where to File" based on your zip code. Second, certified mail with return receipt is non-negotiable. I paid the extra $8 or so for this and it saved me so much anxiety being able to track exactly when it was delivered and who signed for it. Third, both you and your husband MUST sign the form since you filed jointly. I've seen people mention this multiple times in other threads and it seems to be a common mistake that causes delays. The process took about 6 weeks for me from the time they received my form to when I got the replacement refund. The IRS website tools weren't helpful at all during this time - they never updated to show the trace was in progress. But the money did eventually come through direct deposit. One thing that helped me stay sane during the waiting period was knowing that Form 3911 has a very high success rate. The IRS takes these refund traces seriously, and in most cases where the refund was truly never received, they will reissue it. Hang in there - you'll get your money!