How to Check Your IRS Injured Spouse Refund Status
Learn how to track your IRS injured spouse refund, understand potential delays, and find out what to do if there are errors or adjustments.
When a married couple files a joint tax return, the IRS can apply the refund to certain debts owed by one spouse, such as unpaid federal student loans or child support. If the other spouse is not responsible for these debts, they can file Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation) to claim their portion. This ensures the non-liable spouse receives their fair share rather than having it applied to the other spouse’s obligations.
Checking Refund Status
Tracking an injured spouse refund requires a different approach than a standard tax refund. The IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool does not provide updates on Form 8379 claims. Instead, taxpayers must use alternative methods.
One option is to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Be prepared to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount claimed. Injured spouse claims take longer to process, so the IRS advises waiting at least 14 weeks if the form was filed with a paper return or 11 weeks if submitted electronically before inquiring.
The IRS sends a notice once the claim is processed, confirming whether the refund has been approved, adjusted, or denied. If additional information is needed, the IRS may request further documentation, which can extend processing times.
Delays and Adjustments
Processing times for injured spouse claims can be delayed for several reasons. Discrepancies between the information on Form 8379 and IRS records may require additional verification before issuing a refund.
If the liable spouse has multiple outstanding debts, the IRS must allocate the refund accordingly, which may involve coordination with agencies such as the Department of Education for student loan offsets or state agencies for past-due child support.
Errors in filing status or dependent claims can also cause delays. If dependents are reported inconsistently compared to prior filings, the IRS may hold the refund until the issue is resolved. Refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC) often require additional verification.
Partial vs. Full Refunds
The amount an injured spouse receives depends on how the IRS calculates their share of the joint refund. A full refund is only issued if the non-liable spouse had 100% of the income, tax payments, and credits on the return. More commonly, the IRS determines a partial refund by allocating each spouse’s portion based on their individual contributions to the total tax liability.
If both spouses earned wages, the IRS divides the refund proportionally based on taxable income. For example, if one spouse earned 70% of the household income and the other 30%, the refund is typically split along the same lines. The same applies to tax withholdings—each spouse is entitled to the portion that corresponds to what they personally paid throughout the year.
Deductions and credits also impact the final amount. Some tax benefits, such as the Child Tax Credit, are split equally, while others, like education credits, may be assigned to the individual who incurred the qualifying expenses. If a refund includes credits based on the liable spouse’s income or deductions, those amounts may not be factored into the injured spouse’s refund.
Resolving Errors or Inconsistencies
Mistakes on Form 8379 can lead to delays or incorrect refund calculations. Misallocating income, deductions, or tax payments between spouses can result in errors. Ensuring each spouse’s earnings, withholdings, and credits are accurately reported according to IRS Publication 504 can help prevent processing issues.
Misreporting prior offsets is another issue. If a taxpayer has had previous tax refunds applied to debts, they should verify whether those offsets were correctly recorded before submitting Form 8379. The Treasury Offset Program (TOP) provides details on past offsets, and requesting a transcript from the IRS can confirm how prior refunds were allocated. If an offset was applied in error, filing Form 8379 alone may not be sufficient—taxpayers may need to submit Form 8857 (Request for Innocent Spouse Relief) if they dispute joint liability for a tax debt.
Contact Options for Updates
If an injured spouse refund is delayed beyond the standard processing timeframe, contacting the IRS can provide clarification. While there is no online tracking tool for Form 8379, there are several ways to check the status.
Calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 is the most direct method. Have key details ready, including the primary taxpayer’s Social Security number, filing status, and the expected refund amount. Wait times can be long, especially during peak tax season, so calling early in the day or midweek may help. If the IRS has already sent a notice regarding the claim, referencing the letter’s code can speed up the conversation.
Taxpayers can also request a transcript of their account, which shows whether the IRS has processed the refund and if any adjustments were made. This can be done through the IRS’s online transcript tool or by submitting Form 4506-T. If a claim has been significantly delayed, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) may be able to assist. TAS helps taxpayers experiencing financial hardship due to IRS delays and can intervene if an injured spouse refund is being held up without explanation.