How to Fill Out IRS Form 3911 for Stimulus: A Comprehensive Guide

Latest Facts and News

• The IRS has sent over 472 million stimulus payments in three rounds.
• As of 2023, millions of eligible Americans still haven’t received their stimulus checks.
• The IRS updated Form 3911 to help people report missing stimulus payments.
• New laws now allow people to claim missed stimulus payments retroactively.

It’s just natural if you’re feeling a bit frustrated as to why your stimulus check hasn’t shown up yet. To be quite honest, many others have been in the same boat.

Sometimes, your tax refund or stimulus payment doesn’t show up in your bank account or mailbox as expected and goes missing. In such a case, Form 3911 is your way of notifying the IRS that your payment is lost, stolen, or just delayed. 

This form informs the IRS about all the necessary details to trace your payment and figure out what happened in between, helping you recover any missing funds. 

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to use Form 3911 to resolve the issue efficiently and ensure you get the payment you’re entitled to without unnecessary delays.

Understanding IRS Form 3911 for Stimulus Checks

Form 3911 notifies the IRS if you haven’t received your tax refund or stimulus check. You can ask the IRS to track your missing payment and fix the problem if you know how to fill out IRS Form 3911 for stimulus.

On this form, you provide important details of your tax return, such as whether you filed Form 1040, the standard individual return, or Form 1040-SR for seniors. And you also need to mention the mode in which you were supposed to receive the payment. This information helps the IRS track your payment with much broader scope.

Once the IRS receives the form, it investigates any issues. It will provide a replacement if your stimulus payment or refund was misplaced, stolen, or never delivered.

Read More: Expert IRS Tax Preparation Services: Ensure Accurate Filing 

When to Use Form 3911 for Stimulus Payments?

You should use Form 3911 when you haven’t received your stimulus payment, but only after ensuring the IRS has already sent it. First, check your payment status using the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool. If the tool shows that your payment was sent but you didn’t get it, it’s time to file Form 3911.

Before filing, make sure enough time has passed. Here’s a quick breakdown:

For direct deposit, wait at least five days after the IRS says your payment was sent.

For mailed checks, the waiting periods vary:

These waiting times ensure you file Form 3911 at the right time to avoid unnecessary delays.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fill Out IRS Form 3911 for Stimulus?

You can easily access Form 3911 from the IRS website. It’s a simple form that requires basic details like your personal information, the type of tax return you filed, and how you were supposed to receive your refund.

Let’s go through the steps to fill out and submit the form:

Section I: Personal Information

Section I is about the basic details the IRS needs to track down your refund. This section in how to fill out IRS Form 3911 for stimulus covers your personal information and tax return details, which helps the IRS verify your identity and locate the missing refund.

Before filling out this section in how to fill out IRS Form 3911 for stimulus, make sure you have the following ready:

• Your identification details (like your Social Security Number).
• Any changes in your address since filing your return, as the IRS needs to match the correct address.
• Details of the person authorized to get your refund if someone else manages it for you (this could be an experienced tax professional).
• Your tax return type (individual or business) and whether you requested a check or direct deposit for your refund.

While completing this section, make sure that all the information you provide matches what was used on your original tax return.

Section II: Refund Information

In this section of how to fill out IRS Form 3911 for stimulus, you provide details on what happened with your refund. It helps the IRS understand the issue and take action. Here’s how you can break it down:

• If you didn’t receive your refund at all, this is where you let the IRS know.
• If you received a check but something happened like it was lost, stolen, or destroyed. You can report it here by checking the appropriate box.
• If you received and signed the check, you’ll indicate that too.

Remember, the IRS will not send you a new check if you have signed it and someone else took the money out of it, unless it is a case of forgery. 

Section III: Certification

In this section, you officially confirm the information you provided in the form. The IRS needs to process your request. Here’s what you need to know:

• Signatures are required to certify that all the information is correct. If this refund is in a joint return, both you and your spouse must sign the form.
• By signing, you declare that the form has been reviewed and the information you provided is true and precise.
• The statement also includes that, if a replacement check is issued and you later receive the original refund, you must return one of the checks.

Providing this information in how to fill out IRS Form 3911 for stimulus ensures that the IRS has your agreement before proceeding with the refund trace or replacement.

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Identifying the Correct Stimulus Payment

When you’re using Form 3911 to track your missing stimulus payment, mention which payment you’re looking for. There were three rounds, each with its amount and rules.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you figure out which one it is:

Where to Send Your Completed Form 3911?

Once you’ve finally completed how to fill out IRS Form 3911 for stimulus, send it to the right IRS office to avoid delays. Here’s how to make sure your form gets where it needs to go:

• If you have a pre-addressed envelope from the IRS, use that to send your form.
• If you don’t have an envelope, mail it to the IRS office where you sent your tax return. Always cross-check if the address is correct.
• Check the IRS website for the latest mailing addresses. Also, keep in mind that the address can sometimes change.

This will help ensure your form reaches the correct IRS office on time.

Where to Mail or Fax Form 3911 for IRS Submission?

Once you’ve completed Form 3911, make sure you mail or fax it to the correct IRS office based on where you live or the type of filing to avoid delays in processing. 

Below is a list of addresses and fax numbers organized by location to help you send it to the right place.

This table provides the correct mailing addresses and fax numbers for submitting Form 3911 based on your location or filing type. Make sure to use the corresponding details to avoid delays in processing.

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What Happens After You Submit Form 3911?

After you submit Form 3911 to trace your missing refund, the IRS starts a process to locate your payment. Here’s what you need to know:

IRS Handling Time

The IRS typically responds to your refund trace request in about six weeks. However, this timeline can vary depending on how busy the IRS is and whether your form has any errors or missing information. It might take longer to hear back during peak periods, like tax season.

Steps Involved in the Process

Once the IRS gets your form, they will:

1. Review the information you provided to see what went wrong with your refund.
2. Start the trace to figure out if your refund was lost, stolen, or destroyed. If the check wasn’t cashed, the IRS will cancel the old check and issue a new one.

Possible Delays

The process can take longer if:

• There are mistakes or missing information on your form.
• The IRS needs more details to confirm your identity.
• The IRS is handling a large number of requests at the same time, such as during tax season or after a major event like a pandemic.

Communication with the IRS

Once the IRS has finished tracing your refund, they will contact you. If they need more information or can’t verify your claim, they’ll send a letter in the mail. Remember to respond quickly to any requests to avoid further delays.

Possible Outcomes

Here’s what can happen after the IRS completes the trace:

• If your check wasn’t cashed, they will issue a replacement check.
• If your check was cashed, the IRS will send you a claim package, including a copy of the cashed check. You will need to verify whether you received and cashed the check.

While the IRS tries to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, be prepared for potential delays due to the steps involved. Understanding this process can help you stay realistic about the timing of your refund.

Tips for Faster Processing of Your Form 3911

Now that we know how to fill out IRS Form 3911 for stimulus payments, here are some tips to help ensure quick and smooth processing:

1. Fill Out the Form Correctly: Recheck all the information before submitting it to the IRS. If there are some errors or lack of information, you must have received IRS letter or notice asking for additional data, which may slow down the process.
2. Wait Before Filing: Allow enough time for the IRS to process your payment before filing. Filing too soon could lead to unnecessary delays.
3. Send to the Correct Location: Make sure to use the correct mailing or fax address for your area. Sending it to the wrong location will cause delays as it needs to be rerouted.
4. Respond Quickly to IRS Requests: If the IRS reaches out for additional information, respond promptly to prevent further delays.
5. Keep Copies: Retain a copy of your completed form. If any issues arise, you’ll have a record on hand for reference.

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In Closing!

As we come to an end, know that sometimes the delays in your tax refund could be due to issues like identity theft as well. In such dire cases, contact the IRS to avoid further delays and resolve any problems quickly.

Also, since the IRS is no longer issuing direct payments for the first, second, or third rounds of stimulus checks, claim any missing payments through the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return. 

If the process feels confusing, Hopkins CPA Firm with 150+ years of cumulative team experience can handle it for you, ensuring everything is done properly and giving you confidence that it’s being taken care of by the right people.

Get in touch today to get the dedicated support of one of the leading CPA firms in Texas. With expertise from Austin CPA firms and nationwide service, we’re here to help you handle your tax concerns confidently and effectively.