Where to Fax IRS Form 3911 (Refund Trace)

Where to Fax Form 3911

The IRS routes Form 3911 to different Refund Inquiry Units based on your location. Use the wrong number, and you’ll delay your trace by weeks.

Individual Taxpayers — Fax Number by State:

1. Andover (855-253-3175): Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
2. Atlanta (855-275-8620): Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia
3. Austin (855-203-7538): Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas — also for foreign addresses, APO/FPO, Form 2555/4563 filers, and dual-status aliens
4. Brookhaven (855-297-7736): New York
5. Fresno (855-332-3068): Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
6. Kansas City (855-344-9993): Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia
7. Memphis (855-580-4749): Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee
8. Philadelphia (855-404-9091): District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island

Business Entities:

• Cincinnati (855-307-3124): States east of the Mississippi (plus Arkansas and Louisiana)
• Ogden (855-578-2550): States west of the Mississippi (plus Wisconsin)

How to send your fax:

1. Complete Form 3911 fully (5 minutes): Download the official PDF and fill in your name, Social Security number, current address, refund amount, and tax year. If the refund was from a joint return, both spouses must sign.
2. Verify your fax number: Double-check the list above. Sending to the wrong unit adds 2-4 weeks to your trace timeline.
3. Prepare your cover sheet (optional but smart): Include your name, SSN (last 4 digits only), phone number, and the phrase “Form 3911 — Refund Trace Request.”
4. Send the fax: Dial your state’s number. Most online fax services like ThirtyFax let you upload the PDF and send it in under two minutes—no fax machine required.
5. Confirm transmission: Keep your fax confirmation page. If the IRS doesn’t respond within 6-8 weeks, you’ll need proof you submitted on time.
6. Wait for IRS contact: The IRS will mail you a response or replacement check. Don’t call to follow up for at least 6 weeks after faxing.

Important: The IRS says “do not send anything other than a Form 3911” to these fax numbers. Don’t attach tax returns, bank statements, or other documents unless the IRS specifically requested them.

Most traces take 6-8 weeks once the IRS receives your fax. If your refund check is less than a year old and wasn’t cashed, they’ll cancel it and mail a replacement.

What to Include When Faxing Form 3911

The IRS needs specific information to trace your refund. Missing any of these items will delay processing.

Required information on Form 3911:

• Your identifying details: Full legal name, Social Security number (or EIN for businesses), and current mailing address
• Refund specifics: Tax year, return type (1040, 1120, etc.), and exact refund amount
• Payment method: Whether the refund was a check or direct deposit—include bank routing and account numbers if tracing a direct deposit
• Both signatures for joint returns: If married filing jointly, both spouses must sign before the IRS will start the trace

Pro tip: If you’ve moved since filing, Form 3911 doubles as a change of address form. Make sure your current address is accurate—that’s where the replacement check will go.

Don’t attach extra documents like copies of your tax return or bank statements unless the IRS asked for them. The refund inquiry units accept Form 3911 only.

Alternative Ways to Submit Form 3911

Faxing isn’t your only option—but it’s often the fastest for starting a trace.

Before filing Form 3911, check whether you even need it. The IRS says you should wait at least 4 weeks from the refund issue date before starting a trace.

Single filers, married filing separately, and heads of household can start a trace through the Where’s My Refund? tool or by calling 800-829-1954. If you’re married filing jointly, you’ll need to call 800-829-1040 or submit Form 3911.

If you do need to mail Form 3911, use the same state-based addresses listed on the official IRS page. Certified mail is smart—you’ll have proof of delivery if you need to follow up.

What Happens After You Fax Form 3911

Once your fax transmits successfully, the IRS Refund Inquiry Unit begins processing your trace.

What to expect:

1. No immediate confirmation (0-2 business days): The IRS doesn’t send an automated receipt. Your fax confirmation is your only proof of submission.
2. Trace initiation (2-4 weeks): The IRS reviews your form and contacts the Treasury Department to locate your refund payment. If it was a check, they’ll verify whether it was cashed.
3. Bank contact for direct deposits (if applicable): For direct deposit issues, the IRS gives your bank up to 90 days to respond. Resolution can take up to 120 days total.
4. IRS decision (6-8 weeks): If your check wasn’t cashed and is less than a year old, the IRS cancels it and mails a replacement. If it was cashed, they’ll notify you and provide next steps—which may involve filing identity theft or fraud claims.

If you haven’t heard anything after 8 weeks, check your refund status through Where’s My Refund? or your IRS online account. If the status still shows “processing,” call the number for your state’s Refund Inquiry Unit (listed on the Form 3911 instructions).

Edge case: If the bank deposited your refund into the wrong account and won’t return the funds, the IRS can’t force them to. At that point, it becomes a civil dispute between you and the financial institution.

Written by

Bernard Bado

I created ThirtyFax after needing to send a single fax and refusing to pay for a monthly subscription to do it. I write here about faxing, document workflows, and the surprisingly stubborn role fax still plays in modern business.

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