Where’s My State Refund Check?

Where’s My State Refund Check?

Generally speaking, everyone pays taxes on their income. But you may be paying more than you need to! If that is the case, you will receive a federal or state refund check. This is not to be confused with free money because it is essentially a refund from the government because you overpaid your taxes. Regardless, after you file your taxes, you might be wondering – Where’s my state refund check? 

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to receive your tax refund check. If you file electronically, it can typically be a lot faster. But, you are still at the mercy of the processing times and schedules of the applicable federal and state government offices. With recent layoffs expected to happen within the IRS, processing times may not be as expedited as they were in previous years. However, it is important to file your taxes completely and accurately. Otherwise, you may have unintentionally caused delays with your federal and state refund check. 

How to Check the Status of Your Tax Return

To file your taxes, you can either fill out the federal or state tax forms by hand and mail it in, or file electronically through a tax preparation services or e-filing program. If you have a more complicated tax situation with your income or dependents, you may want to consult a tax professional. So once your taxes are filed, where is your refund?

You can typically track the status of your refund on the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) website, app, or over the phone. Regardless of the method you choose, you must provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN), filing status, and the total amount you were expected to be refunded, if that is available. 

Where’s My Amended State Refund?

If you have an amended state tax return, you may not receive your refund as quickly as you would through a normal return. An amended state tax return is a revised version of a previously filed state tax return. It is typically filed to correct errors or omissions on the original return, such as incorrect income, child tax deductions, or credits.

Depending on the state and the nature of the changes, an amended state tax return may result in a refund, an additional tax liability, or no change at all in the total amount of taxes due.

It is important to file an amended state tax return as soon as possible after discovering an error or mistake on the original return. In most states, there is a statute of limitations for filing an amended return. This period of time is often around three years from the original filing date. 

It can take several weeks to receive your amended return after approval. Typically, this exact timeline will vary depending on your state of residence.

Why Did I Not Receive a State Tax Refund?

Depending on your state of residence, you may not receive a state tax refund check. This is due to the fact that you do not need to file taxes on the state level. For example, in states like Florida, your personal income is not taxed on the state level. 

However, if you do live in a state where your income is taxed, then there could be other factors at play. If there was an error on your return or you currently owe past tax debt, you may not be able to receive your refund until a later date. Basically, you need to wait out the issue until it gets resolved!

How Do I Find My State and Local Tax Refund?

States typically have their own processes for checking the status of tax refunds. Here’s what you can do if you need to find your refund:

• Visit Your State’s Tax Website: Most states have a dedicated webpage for checking tax refunds. You can find it by searching for “[State Name] check tax refund status” in your preferred browser. Remember that state government websites are labeled as such. Do not enter your information into a website that has no affiliation with the applicable government agency you are trying to access. Many states offer online tools or phone numbers for inquiries. So you can reach out to a representative if you need help. 
• Provide a Little bit of Paperwork: Once you’ve accessed the right website, you’ll usually need to provide the following:
  • Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • Your filing status (Single, Married, etc.)
  • Exact amount of your expected refund (if you have that info)
  • Your date of birth

Local Taxes

Local taxes (i.e., city or county taxes) may be handled differently depending on your location. If you received a local income tax refund from your previous year’s tax return, you might get something called a Form 1099-G. This form essentially reports the refund as income. On your federal return, you may have itemized deductions in the same year you received the state or local refund. If that is the case, then this could be considered taxable income. To learn more about your local tax information, follow these steps: 

• Visit the Applicable Government Website: Check your city or county’s tax department website for more information. 
• Contact Your Local Tax Authority: If the website doesn’t offer any tracking tools, you may need to contact the applicable tax office directly via phone or email. That information is typically located on their website as well. 

Why is My Tax Refund Delayed?

If you incorrectly filed your tax returns, you may experience a delay in receiving your federal and state refund check. Other reasons that can may cause a delay with your return include:

1. State or Federal Processing Delays at the Applicable Tax Departments
2. Errors in Your Tax Forms
3. Incorrect Filing

If you are concerned about the status of your tax refund, remember that you can track it online through the IRS website! You can also reach out to the IRS directly through their phone number to get in touch with an agent.

When is the Last Day to File Taxes?

The last day to file taxes is April 15. This is the same date you are expected to file even if you get an extension with the IRS. Keep in mind that if you are self-employed, it is recommended to file quarterly taxes instead of yearly taxes. If you need tax prep services to make sure that your return is as accurate and complete as possible, Max Cash^? can help you get connected to a provider today!^{2 5}