Where to check your state refund status
Your state tax refund status is tracked by your state's department of revenue or taxation, not by the IRS. Each state runs its own refund system and timeline. To find out where your refund is, you need to go to your specific state's website — there is no single national tracker that covers all states.
Most states offer a refund status tool on their tax department website. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool then tells you whether the refund has been processed, when it was issued, and the payment method (direct deposit or check). Some states also let you check by phone or through a mobile app.
The refund status tool is usually free and does not require you to log into a personal account. You can check as often as you want, though the information updates only once a day or once every few days depending on the state.
Key Takeaways
- Your state refund is tracked only by your state's tax department website — the IRS does not track state refunds.
- You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your return to check status.
- Most states process refunds within 30 to 60 days of receiving your return, but this varies by state and filing method.
- If your refund is delayed beyond the normal timeframe, contact your state tax department directly rather than waiting.
- Direct deposit refunds arrive faster than checks, typically within two to three weeks after the state issues them.
How long state refunds typically take
Processing time depends on whether you filed electronically or by mail, and on your state's current workload. Electronic returns are processed faster than paper returns. Most states aim to issue refunds within 30 to 60 days of receiving your return, but some take longer during peak filing season in March and April.
If you chose direct deposit, the refund usually reaches your bank account within two to three weeks after the state issues it. If you chose a check by mail, add another one to two weeks for postal delivery. A few states offer a third option: a prepaid debit card, which arrives by mail in a similar timeframe.
Some states publish their average processing times on their tax department website. If your refund has not arrived within the timeframe your state lists, that is when to contact them directly.
What to do if your refund is delayed
If your refund has not arrived within the normal processing window for your state, start by checking the refund status tool again. Sometimes the tool shows a reason for the delay — for example, the return is under review, there is a mismatch between your return and IRS records, or the state is waiting for additional information from you.
If the tool shows no status or says your return is still being processed after the expected timeframe has passed, contact your state tax department. Most states have a phone line for refund questions, and some offer email or live chat. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready when you call.
Common reasons for delays include math errors on the return, a missing signature, a mismatch in your name or Social Security number between your state return and federal return, or a hold placed by child support enforcement or another state agency. Your state tax department can tell you which issue applies to your return and what you need to do to resolve it.
State-by-state refund tracking tools
Every state has its own refund tracker, but they are not all in the same place on each state's website. Below are the general locations where most states post their tools. If you cannot find the tool at the link provided, search your state's tax department website for "refund status" or "where is my refund."
| State | Where to Check | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Department of Revenue website | 334-242-1170 |
| Alaska | Department of Revenue website | 907-465-2300 |
| Arizona | Department of Revenue website | 602-255-3381 |
| Arkansas | Department of Finance and Administration website | 501-682-7250 |
| California | Franchise Tax Board website | 800-338-0505 |
| Colorado | Department of Revenue website | 303-238-7378 |
| Connecticut | Department of Revenue Services website | 860-297-5962 |
| Delaware | Department of Finance website | 302-577-8660 |
| Florida | No state income tax | N/A |
| Georgia | Department of Revenue website | 404-417-2100 |
| Hawaii | Department of Taxation website | 808-587-1500 |
| Idaho | State Tax Commission website | 208-334-7660 |
| Illinois | Department of Revenue website | 217-782-3336 |
| Indiana | Department of Revenue website | 317-232-4455 |
| Iowa | Department of Revenue website | 515-281-5834 |
| Kansas | Department of Revenue website | 785-296-3081 |
| Kentucky | Department of Revenue website | 502-564-4581 |
| Louisiana | Department of Revenue website | 225-219-0102 |
| Maine | Department of Revenue Services website | 207-626-8475 |
| Maryland | Comptroller of Maryland website | 410-260-7801 |
| Massachusetts | Department of Revenue website | 617-887-6367 |
| Michigan | Department of Treasury website | 517-636-4486 |
| Minnesota | Department of Revenue website | 651-296-3781 |
| Mississippi | Department of Revenue website | 601-359-1141 |
| Missouri | Department of Revenue website | 573-751-4541 |
| Montana | Department of Revenue website | 406-444-6900 |
| Nebraska | Department of Revenue website | 402-471-5729 |
| Nevada | No state income tax | N/A |
| New Hampshire | Department of Revenue Administration website | 603-271-3636 |
| New Jersey | Department of the Treasury website | 609-292-6400 |
| New Mexico | Taxation and Revenue Department website | 505-827-0700 |
| New York | Department of Taxation and Finance website | 518-457-5181 |
| North Carolina | Department of Revenue website | 919-733-4684 |
| North Dakota | Office of State Tax Commissioner website | 701-328-3080 |
| Ohio | Department of Taxation website | 614-466-2520 |
| Oklahoma | Tax Commission website | 405-521-3160 |
| Oregon | Department of Revenue website | 503-378-4988 |
| Pennsylvania | Department of Revenue website | 717-787-8201 |
| Rhode Island | Department of Tax Administration website | 401-574-8829 |
| South Carolina | Department of Revenue website | 803-898-5000 |
| South Dakota | No state income tax | N/A |
| Tennessee | No state income tax | N/A |
| Texas | No state income tax | N/A |
| Utah | State Tax Commission website | 801-297-2200 |
| Vermont | Department of Taxes website | 802-828-2865 |
| Virginia | Department of Taxation website | 804-367-8031 |
| Washington | No state income tax | N/A |
| West Virginia | State Tax Department website | 304-558-3333 |
| Wisconsin | Department of Revenue website | 608-266-2486 |
| Wyoming | No state income tax | N/A |
Nine states do not have a state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. New Hampshire taxes only interest and dividend income, not wages. If you live in one of these states, you have no state refund to track.
What information you need to check your refund
Before you go to your state's refund tracker, gather these 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 it appears on your return (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow/widower)
- The exact refund amount shown on your return
The refund amount is critical. If you enter a different amount than what is on your return, the tool will not find your record. If you do not have your return in front of you, you can request a copy from your state tax department, or you may be able to retrieve it from the tax software you used to file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my state refund status if I filed electronically versus by mail?
Yes, the refund status tool works for both electronic and paper returns. However, paper returns take longer to process because they must be scanned and entered into the system manually. If you mailed your return, expect a delay of one to two weeks before it shows up in the status tracker.
What if the refund status tool says my return is under review?
A return under review means the state tax department is checking something on your return — usually a math error, a missing document, or a mismatch with federal records. This can add two to four weeks to processing time. The state will contact you if they need more information from you. Do not assume there is a problem; many returns are reviewed as part of routine quality checks.
How do I know if my refund was issued as a direct deposit or a check?
The refund status tool will show the payment method when your refund is issued. If you chose direct deposit when you filed, it will say "direct deposit" and show the last four digits of the account number. If you chose a check, it will say "check" and may show the check number once it is mailed.
What if I never received my refund check in the mail?
If the status tool shows your check was issued more than three weeks ago and you have not received it, contact your state tax department. They can issue a replacement check or, in some cases, reissue the refund as a direct deposit to a bank account. Have your return information ready when you call.
Can I use the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool to check my state refund?
No. The IRS tool tracks only federal refunds. Your state refund is completely separate and must be tracked through your state's tax department website. The two refunds are processed independently and may arrive at different times.