The IRS misspelled my name on my refund check. I call 800.829.1040 and end up in menu hell. Is there a quick way to reach IRS to correct their mistake?

[xmasbaby0]

Is your bank refusing to let you deposit or cash the refund check?   

To call the IRS:IRS:  800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

Listen to each menu before making the selection.

First choose your language. Press 1 for English.

Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

Instead, press 2 for "personal income tax".

Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  It should then transfer you to an agent.

[fanfare]

"Is your bank refusing to let you deposit or cash the refund check?  "

Talk to the office manager.

This is one reason to visit the branch office from time to time.

They will know you.

[JasMWood]

Thanks so much - I'll give this a try

[VolvoGirl]

Better double check your tax return and fix your name on your 2021 return.  

[JasMWood]

Thanks for the comment - my correct name is on the return - not sure how IRS got my name wrong on the check - am following up with  menu suggestions

[davidrusen]

Was the issue resolved? My check came today. I am having the exact same problem. Any help would be appreciated. 

[mesquitebean]

---

@ davidrusen wrote:

Was the issue resolved? My check came today. I am having the exact same problem. Any help would be appreciated. 

---

Was there a misspelling in your name on the check?  Is the name spelled correctly on your actual return?

I believe the check should have your address on it, too, that helps identify you.  So with the check and your ID (driver's license) first explain the situation to a bank supervisor/branch manager and confirm a plan.   If it's just a simple misspelling such as a "typo", see if they will let you endorse the check by signing the check using the misspelled name, then below that signing again using the correct spelling.   They may or may not want you to add the phrase "correctly known as."

Example:

Jhon Doe (signed with incorrect spelling), correctly known as John Doe (signed with correct spelling)

Caveat:  I don't know if the fact that this is a US Treasury check will make a difference to the bank or not.  Talk to the bank first.

Here's an article on endorsing checks in general, but scroll down to subtopic "What if my name is spelled wrong?"

https://money.usnews.com/banking/articles/endorsing-a-check-the-right-way-at-the-right-time

[davidrusen]

The spelling is correct on my return. My last name is Rusen, the IRS spelled it Risen on the check . Everything else is correct. Thanks for the response. I think that I will stop at the bank tomorrow and take a shot at them depositing the check. What do I have to lose?  Stay tuned!

[Pammy5]

I followed the directions on this site but received the message that they (someone) could not take the call now due to increased volume of calls. Frustrating, because this is the message I’ve been getting. When would call volume be less?????

[mesquitebean]

---

@Pammy5 wrote:

I followed the directions on this site but received the message that they (someone) could not take the call now due to increased volume of calls. Frustrating, because this is the message I’ve been getting. When would call volume be less?????

---

I presume you are referring to phoning the IRS.   I have found that for me it was best to call just before closing time--about 6:50-6:55 PM and go through the steps below.  I figured a lot of folks would not call that close to closing, and that if I was one of the last to get into the queue, they would finish off all the people who were in the queue at closing time.   I still had to wait about 25-30 minutes.   

IRS:  800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time) Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do not choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

• First choose your language.  Then listen to each menu before making the selection.
• Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
• Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
• Then press 3 "for all other questions."
• Then press 2 "for all other questions." 
• It may then ask for your SSN, but do not enter it.  Just wait.    If it asks for SSN a second time, still do not enter it.
• Then it will get "tired", and you'll get another menu.  Choose 2 for "personal".
• Then in the next menu choose 4 for "all other inquiries", and it should transfer you to an agent but expect a long wait.
• I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

[fanfare]

"When would call volume be less?????"

Call volume will be less when taxpayers stop calling again and again to get through.

This is known as Catch-22.

@Pammy5