Reference code 1001.
Refund paper check mailed more than 4 weeks ago
Refund paid
See how long people with this situation waited, from their transcripts.
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What it means.
The IRS manual's wording:
Refund paper check mailed more than 4 weeks ago
What to do.
The check was mailed over 4 weeks ago. If it has not arrived, request a trace: Where's My Refund (single, HOH, MFS) or Form 3911 / 800-829-1040 (married filing jointly). A trace can start 28 days after the check was mailed.
Codes in the same group.
Questions people ask
What does reference code 1001 mean?
The refund was issued. The IRS manual's own wording is quoted on this page.
What should I do about code 1001?
The check was mailed over 4 weeks ago. If it has not arrived, request a trace: Where's My Refund (single, HOH, MFS) or Form 3911 / 800-829-1040 (married filing jointly). A trace can start 28 days after the check was mailed.
Sources
Checked against these sources on October 30, 2026.