Resources · Refund Status
Where's my
Where's my
refund?
Check your federal and state refund status directly with the government — the same tools we use. Have your return handy before you start.
Before you check, gather three things from your return: your Social Security number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on the return. Every tracker below asks for some combination of these.
Typical timing: e-filed federal refunds arrive within 21 days; paper returns take six weeks or more. State refunds vary — Maryland and Virginia usually process e-filed refunds in two to four weeks. Status updates once daily, overnight, so there's no need to check more than once a day.
Direct links to the government tools — no middlemen, no fees. Your refund status is never available anywhere else, so ignore any email or text claiming otherwise.
Status appears about 24 hours after e-filing (four weeks after mailing a paper return). You'll need your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount. Check federal refund →
Check your Maryland individual refund with your SSN and exact refund amount. Check Maryland refund →
Check your Virginia individual refund with your SSN and the tax year. Check Virginia refund →
Use the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the District's tax portal — no login required. Check DC refund →
Amended federal returns don't show up in the regular tool and can take up to 16 weeks to process. Check amended return →
Most delays are routine. Here's what commonly slows a refund down — and when it's time to call us.
Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit can't be refunded before mid-February, no matter how early you file. Identity-verification checks can also add time — if the IRS sends you a letter, respond promptly.
Past-due federal or state taxes, child support, and certain other debts can be taken out of a refund before it reaches you. If your refund arrives smaller than expected, you'll receive a notice explaining the offset.
If the tracker shows no progress past those windows — or shows a message you don't understand — give us a call. As your preparer, we can help figure out what's holding it up.
Delayed refunds, offset notices, IRS letters — we handle these for clients all the time. Reach out and we'll sort it out together.