Your refund check expired — call for a new one

Why you might get this

• You had a refund check coming to you but never cashed it.
• The check sat uncashed long enough that it expired and is no longer good.
• The IRS wants to reissue your money once you get in touch.

The deadline

There is no set number of days printed here, but the law limits how long you have to claim a refund. This limit is called the Refund Statute Expiration Date (RSED), which is the last date you can legally claim money the IRS owes you. Call the number on your notice promptly so you don't lose the right to your refund.

This notice doesn't carry a fixed response deadline, but it still deserves attention — see what to do below.

What to do

1. Call the phone number printed on your notice to request a new check.
2. If you still have the old expired check, destroy it so it can't be used by mistake.
3. Confirm the IRS has your correct mailing address, since the new check goes to your address of record.
4. You can view and update your address through your online IRS account.
5. If you filed jointly and are now divorced and want two separate checks, mail back the uncashed check with a copy of your divorce decree showing how the refund should be split.

What happens if you ignore it

If you don't contact the IRS, they can't send you a new check, and you won't get your refund money. There is also a legal time limit (the Refund Statute Expiration Date) after which you can no longer claim the refund at all.

This is usually a simple fix — one phone call. If you run into trouble, you may qualify for free help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) or a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.

What the CP32A notice means

The CP32A notice is the IRS letting you know that a refund check they mailed you was never cashed, and it has now expired. In plain terms: your money is still waiting for you, but the old check is no longer any good.

The fix is straightforward. Call the phone number printed on your notice and ask for a new check. After you call, the IRS says it will mail a replacement within about 30 days. If you still have the old, expired check lying around, destroy it so no one uses it by mistake.

A few things to double-check: make sure the IRS has your correct address, because your new check goes to the address on file. If you filed a joint return and are now divorced, only one check with both names goes out unless you send back the old check with a copy of your divorce decree.

Keep in mind there's a legal time limit for claiming a refund, so don't sit on this notice too long.

Solace can keep an eye on your IRS account so you know when your new refund is on the way.