How to check your California refund status online

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) — California's tax agency — runs a tool called Where's My Refund? that shows you the status of your state income tax refund in real time. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount you expect, and the system tells you whether your return is still being processed, approved, or sent out.

The tool works only after the FTB has received and begun processing your return. If you filed fewer than 21 days ago, the system will not yet have your information. The FTB processes most returns within 21 days of receipt, though some take longer if they require manual review or if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC).

You can check your status at ftb.ca.gov by clicking "Where's My Refund?" on the homepage. You do not need to create an account or log in — the tool is open to anyone with a California return.

Key Takeaways

  • Where's My Refund? shows your refund status only after the FTB has received your return, which usually takes 21 days or more from when you filed.
  • You need your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount to use the tool — no login or account creation required.
  • If the tool says your refund is delayed or you see an error message, contact the FTB directly by phone or through their secure online account system.
  • Refunds claimed with EITC or CalEITC take longer to process because the FTB must verify your income and family situation before releasing the money.

What information you need to check your refund

Before you go to the Where's My Refund? tool, gather three pieces of information from your tax return: your Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you do not have an SSN), your filing status as you reported it (single, married filing jointly, head of household, etc.), and the refund amount you entered on your return.

The refund amount must match exactly what you put on line 13 of Form 540 (California's main income tax form). If you are unsure of the amount, check your filed return or the confirmation email or letter you received from the FTB after you submitted it.

Do not use the amount the FTB may have adjusted your refund to — use the amount you originally reported. If those numbers do not match, the tool will reject your search.

What each refund status message means

Return received: The FTB has your return but has not yet started processing it. This status usually appears within a few days of filing. Wait at least 21 days before checking again.

Return approved: The FTB has reviewed your return and approved your refund. The money is being prepared to send out. This stage can last several days to a week.

Refund sent: Your refund has been mailed or deposited. If you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive within one to three business days after this status appears. If you chose a check, allow 10 to 14 business days from the date shown.

Unable to locate: The FTB cannot find a return matching the information you entered. This usually means you entered the wrong Social Security number, filing status, or refund amount. Try again with different information. If you are certain your data is correct, your return may not have been received yet, or it may have been filed under a different name or SSN.

Return under review: The FTB is examining your return more closely, usually because of a discrepancy or because you claimed EITC or CalEITC. This can add two to four weeks to processing time. You will receive a letter if the FTB needs more information from you.

Why your refund might be delayed

The most common reason for delay is claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). Federal law requires the IRS to hold EITC refunds until mid-February, and California follows the same timeline for CalEITC. If you claimed either credit, your refund will not be sent before that date, even if the FTB approves it earlier.

Other reasons for delay include a mismatch between your return and IRS records (such as a different name or SSN), missing or unclear information on your return, a prior-year balance owed to California or the federal government, or a hold placed by another state agency (such as child support enforcement or student loan servicing).

If your refund has been delayed more than 21 days and the Where's My Refund? tool shows no status, or if it shows "return under review" with no letter from the FTB, contact the FTB directly.

How to contact the Franchise Tax Board about your refund

The FTB's main phone line for refund questions is 1-888-792-4900. Wait times are shortest early in the morning and on weekdays. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount ready when you call.

You can also create a secure account on the FTB website at onlineservices.ftb.ca.gov. Once logged in, you can view your return, check your refund status, and message the FTB directly. Creating an account takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid email address.

If you filed through a tax preparer or software company, contact them first — they may be able to resolve the issue without involving the FTB directly.

What to do if you never received your refund

If the Where's My Refund? tool shows your refund was sent but you have not received it after the expected timeframe (one to three business days for direct deposit, 10 to 14 business days for a check), first confirm the status one more time to make sure the tool is not showing outdated information.

If you chose direct deposit, check your bank account carefully — the deposit may have gone to a different account than you expected, especially if you changed banks or updated your account number after filing. Contact your bank to ask whether a deposit from the FTB arrived and where it went.

If you chose a check and it has not arrived after 14 business days, call the FTB at 1-888-792-4900 and ask them to issue a replacement check or switch your refund to direct deposit if possible. You will need to provide your return information and confirm your current mailing address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status if I filed jointly with my spouse?

Yes. Use either spouse's Social Security number, the filing status "married filing jointly," and the refund amount from your return. The tool will work the same way. If one spouse's SSN does not work, try the other's.

What if I filed an amended return — does Where's My Refund? show that status too?

No. Where's My Refund? tracks only your original return. If you filed Form 540-X (amended return), you will not see that status in the tool. The FTB will send you a separate notice when your amended return is processed. Call the FTB if you need to know the status of an amended return.

How long does it take to get a refund if I owe money to another state or to child support?

The FTB can hold your refund to pay debts owed to California, other states, or federal agencies, or to satisfy child support or spousal support obligations. This hold can add two to eight weeks. The FTB will send you a notice explaining the hold and how much of your refund was taken. You can appeal the hold if you believe it was made in error.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the FTB?

Calling the FTB will not speed up processing, but it can help if your refund is stuck or missing. The FTB can investigate delays, correct errors, and issue replacement checks or direct deposits. If your return is still being processed normally, calling will not change the timeline.