My Bank rejected my refund because I direct deposited it to my fiancé’s bank account. Names didn’t match so it was returned... now what?

[ceoc1988]

So I e-filed on January 28th, my state check was sent to my fiancé’s bank account.. I wasn’t aware that the names had to match... so the bank told us it was returned to the I.r.s 2/7/2019... it’s 2/24/2019 and still nothing? My federal was rejected and returned on 2/23/2019. So what do I do now? Wait? Call the irs? 

[ceoc1988]

I haven’t received a notice and when I check the website, it shows no update but that it has been deposited. I have no clue in what to do? Should I reach out to the irs? The state refund won’t let me see the status of it from the website and the federal “where’s my refund” irs site says it’s been deposited, aside from that I haven’t heard anything about either one or have gotten any notice or paper check? 

[SweetieJean]

State checks do not go back to the (Federal) IRS...They go back to the state.  Call the state.

[mesquitebean]

So your state refund deposit was refused by the bank on 2/7?    You said the state refund was returned to the "IRS", but I assume you meant sent back to the state tax agency.

When a refund is sent back to a state tax agency it can take 3-4 weeks or so for them to send a paper check to the address on the return, but that can vary from state to state.  If it goes on longer than 3-4 weeks from when it was sent back, you can phone the state tax agency and ask them how long it takes in your state and if you should have received yours or not.

As for the Federal refund, if it was refused, it will go back to the IRS if you didn't have any TurboTax fees to be paid out of the refund.   The IRS will issue you a paper check in the mail to the address on the return, usually in about 3-4 weeks or so after they get the funds back.

However, there is a different possibility for "some" people, and this won't apply to you if you had no TurboTax fees.    If you had any TurboTax fees, however, and if you chose to pay them out of the Federal refund, if your bank refuses a Federal refund deposit, it will go back to the intermediary third-party bank that subtracts the fees.   Then that third-party company will send a check in the mail.

[ceoc1988]

Thank you for the correction, yes I meant state tax agency regarding the state check. I do have another question... my w2 has my mother’s address, I filed through TurboTax for the last 4 years to my current residence, I’ve never changed my mothers address with my employer because.. well, it all comes to me either way. So should I be expecting the refund to come to MY house? Or should it be coming to my mothers house? Also, the bank said they returned the state check back on the feb 7th and that the federal refund was returned the 23rd of February, so basically I shouldn’t waste my time waiting hours to speak with the irs? Just wait this out? Will they update they’re website if the check was returned? If so usually how long does it take once they’ve received the return back will they update on the irs website? If not will they more likely send a notice? Or just skip all of that and send the check? Sorry for all the questions I’m just curious as to how this process works because this has never Happened to me in all the years I’ve filed. Thanks a lot for you’re very informative resonance by the way! Appreciate it!

[mesquitebean]

The IRS and state should mail the check to whatever address you put on the actual return as your mailing address.  So look at the address you put on your returns.

There's no reason to phone the state or IRS unless it has gone an inordinate amount of time, and you haven't received the check.  I mentioned above about how long it takes.

I don't know what the IRS will do with the WMR tool on their website.  You can check it occasionally.  I don't know if it's updated in these instances or not.

You probably won't hear anything from the IRS or state until you get the check.

[ceoc1988]

Oh okay, got you. Seen in another forum someone commenting alregarding it returning to the address on the w2 and I didn’t realize it until then that our w2’s go to my moms house. Thanks a bunch! Appreciate the help and the quick replies! You’re a huge help!  

[mesquitebean]

A W-2 address is not an official address for IRS contact.  Some people move 2-3 times during the year and have several W-2's.  The address you put on a tax return tells the IRS that is your current official mailing address that you want to be contacted at.