IRS sending paper check instead of direct deposit - how long will it take and will transcript update with mail date?

This happened to me last year. When the direct deposit fails for whatever reason (incorrect account number, closed account, bank rejection, etc.), the IRS automatically switches to sending a paper check. Based on my experience and what I've seen from others: 1. Your transcript should update with a code 846 "refund issued" with the date they send the check 2. Paper checks typically take 7-14 days to arrive after mailing date 3. The IRS sends checks in batches on certain days of the week 4. There's a small chance the check could take up to 4 weeks depending on postal service issues Check your transcript for the 846 code - that's your best indicator of when it was sent. You can also try calling the IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954 for automated status.

Yo the best way to get a clear picture of your refund status is with taxr.ai - I was in the same exact situation last month and spent days trying to figure out what those transcript codes meant. Taxr explained everything immediately, told me exactly why my direct deposit failed (my bank thought it was suspicious and rejected it), and when I should expect the check. Saved me hours of research and stress. It's insanely good! I use it every week during tax season now. Here's the link: https://taxr.ai

After waiting 3 months for my refund to process and my direct deposit getting rejected, I finally got through to a human at the IRS using the Claimyr app (claimyr.com). They called ME back and I got to talk to a real agent who explained exactly what happened with my bank rejecting the deposit and when the check would be sent. Saved me from waiting on hold for hours. The agent even expedited my check when I explained my situation. It was the only way I could talk to a live agent after trying for weeks. Talking to an agent got my refund released so fast!

yes this happened to me too! filed in Feb and selected direct deposit but got a paper check instead. no warning or explanation. the check took about 3 weeks to arrive after my transcript updated with code 846. so annoying but nothing we can do about it.

I'm having the EXACT same issue right now! Bank of America rejected my deposit for some reason and now I'm waiting for a paper check. I called the IRS and they said it would take 2-3 weeks to arrive after they mail it. My transcript updated with the 846 code and a date from last friday, so I'm hoping it arrives by the end of this week. So frustrating when you're counting on that money to pay bills 😤

Check your transcript for code 846 with a date. That's when they mail the check, and it usually takes 5-10 business days after that date to arrive. Mine took exactly 7 business days to get to me in California. And yes, your transcript will update with the mail date.

Mine got sent as a check even though I requested direct deposit. The whole system is broken af. It took 3 weeks to arrive and I never got any notification it was coming. The IRS is stuck in 1995 I swear. 🤡

your transcript will update with a 846 code and date when the check is issued. mine took exactly 10 days to arrive after that date. the IRS told me they do this when there's an issue with the direct deposit info or if the bank rejects it for some reason.

same boat. filed in april, supposed to get DD but they sent a check. took forever to arrive (almost a month) and i had to call multiple times because my transcript showed 846 but nothing came in the mail. finally showed up last week. keep calling them if it doesn't come within 2 weeks of the 846 date!

OMG THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME RIGHT NOW TOO!!! I'm so mad bc I specifically put my direct deposit info and triple checked it. Now they're mailing a check and I have no idea when I'll get it. Following this thread for info.

Here's the official timeline according to the IRS: once they issue the check (code 846 date on transcript), it takes 7-14 business days to arrive. However, in my experience and from what I've seen in the community, it's more realistically: - East Coast: 5-10 business days - Midwest: 7-12 business days - West Coast: 10-15 business days If you don't receive it within 4 weeks of the issue date, you should contact the IRS to initiate a trace on the refund. They can reissue if it's lost.

I got a paper check last year instead of DD. Took about 2.5 weeks to arrive after the 846 date on my transcript. The most annoying part was checking the mail every single day like a lunatic 😂

Quick FYI - if your check doesn't arrive within 4 weeks of the issue date (the 846 date on transcript), you can request a payment trace by calling the IRS or filing Form 3911. But be prepared to wait on hold forever unless you use something like Claimyr to get through. The good news is paper checks are pretty reliable, just slower than DD.

I just used taxr.ai to check my transcript and it explained that my bank rejected the deposit because the name on my tax return didn't exactly match my bank account (I got married and changed my name with the IRS but not with my bank yet). That's why they're sending a check instead. The tool said I should expect my check about 12 days after the 846 date. Super helpful if you're trying to figure out why this happened.

There are 3 reasons why the IRS switches to a paper check: 1. Wrong account number provided 2. Bank rejected the deposit (name mismatch, closed account, etc) 3. IRS internal policy that limits direct deposits to same account As for timing, my check took 13 calendar days to arrive after the 846 date. The IRS told me they mail checks on Fridays, so depending on when your 846 date falls, you might have to wait a few extra days for the next check run.

USPS has an Informed Delivery service that emails you images of mail coming to your address each day. Sign up for that so you'll know when your check is arriving! Saved me from obsessively checking my mailbox. As for timeline, mine took 8 business days to arrive after the 846 date.

This exact same thing happened to me last year! Filed in February expecting direct deposit but got a paper check instead. Turned out my credit union had flagged it as suspicious activity and rejected it without even notifying me. From my experience: once your transcript shows the 846 code with a date, expect the check to arrive 7-14 business days later depending on where you live. Mine took exactly 9 business days to reach me in Texas. Pro tip: sign up for USPS Informed Delivery like someone else mentioned - it'll show you a preview of your mail each morning so you'll know the day your check is coming. Saved my sanity from constantly checking the mailbox! And yes, your transcript will definitely update with the actual mail date (the 846 code date). That's your most reliable indicator of when it was sent out. The automated phone line is pretty useless for timing but the transcript doesn't lie. Hang in there - I know it's frustrating when you're counting on that money! 💪

This is SO frustrating! I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now. Filed in early March with direct deposit info that I've used successfully for years, but somehow my bank (Wells Fargo) rejected it and now I'm stuck waiting for a paper check. The IRS agent I finally got through to said it could take 2-4 weeks for the check to arrive once they mail it, but based on what everyone's saying here about the 846 code, it sounds like I should check my transcript for the actual mail date. I'm definitely going to sign up for that USPS Informed Delivery - brilliant idea! At least then I won't be anxiously checking my mailbox multiple times a day like I have been 😅 It's ridiculous that in 2025 we're still dealing with paper checks when everything else is digital. Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone - at least I know I'm not alone in this mess!

Ugh, this is so relatable! The same thing happened to me in 2023. My bank (Chase) rejected my direct deposit for some reason they never fully explained, and I had to wait for a paper check instead. Here's what I learned from that experience: 1. Your transcript will definitely update with code 846 and the date they mail the check - that's your most reliable source of info 2. From that 846 date, expect 8-12 business days for delivery (I'm on the East Coast and mine took 10 business days exactly) 3. The IRS typically processes and mails checks in batches, usually mid-week The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when you need the money, but the paper checks are pretty reliable once they're actually sent. I'd recommend checking your transcript every few days rather than calling the IRS since their phone system is basically useless for getting real updates. And definitely sign up for USPS Informed Delivery if you haven't already - seeing that preview of your mail each morning will save you from the daily mailbox anxiety! Hang in there, it'll come! 💙

This is such a common issue unfortunately! The same thing happened to me two years ago with my refund. What I found helpful was setting up text alerts through my bank so I'd know immediately if any deposits were rejected - turns out they had flagged it as "unusual activity" since I'd never received a deposit that large from the government before. One thing that might help while you're waiting: if you have a smartphone, you can also download the USPS mobile app in addition to Informed Delivery. It sometimes updates faster than the email notifications and you can track any mail pieces that have tracking numbers. Also, just a heads up - when the check does arrive, make sure to deposit it as soon as possible. IRS refund checks are only valid for one year from the issue date, but banks sometimes hold them for longer verification periods since they're government checks. Most people don't have issues, but it's good to know just in case! The waiting really is the worst part, but hang in there - once that 846 code shows up on your transcript, you're in the home stretch! 🤞