If our tax liability is $0, does the IRS only mail the refund check?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 6, 2025
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Best answer by xmasbaby0

Thank you for your reply. None of the three cited instances apply to our situation or account. It was an unexpected, apparently arbitrary change initiated by the IRS. The account names, routing numbers and filing information has not changed in 10+ years. However, this is the first year that we have had $0 tax liability and a refund in excess of $10K. I am trying to determine if those two circumstances affected the refund protocol.

Ask the IRS.

Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 3 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

xmasbaby0

Employee

If you are receiving a refund, you can choose in the FILE section whether you want a direct deposit or a check.

You have to go to Step 2 in the FILE section.

HOW TO CHANGE OR ENTER BANKING INFORMATION FOR REFUND

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/change-transferred-direct-deposit-information/L77NCbU6D_US_en_US?uid=m6tuh572

You cannot change banking information while your return is in pending, nor can you change it after the return is accepted. The IRS does not allow it.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

shipnoutAuthor

No. That is not accurate. I indicated direct deposit when I filed. I have had direct deposit of refunds to the same account and same routing numbers for 10+ years. The IRS changed my refund from direct deposit to a mailed check without any notification or indication of any type of error. Is there some sort of IRS protocol that automatically changes a direct deposit to a mailed check when there is a $0 tax liability? Or a refund greater than $10K?