The IRS and state tax agencies have implemented policies to protect you from fraud. Many agencies have changed their approval process in order to prevent those trying to steal your refund from succeeding. As a result, some refunds may be issued later than in past years.
Refunds are not controlled by TaxAct, so you can still complete and file your return as usual. This will help you be at the head of the line once the issuing agency is ready to send refunds.
These delays won't affect all taxpayers, so to help you determine when to expect your refund we've put together the following list:
Affected taxpayers: Those who claim the Earned Income Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)
Refunds issued: Not before mid February. For example, last year refunds were issued within 21 days of February 27, 2018.
Alabama - For the most up-to-date information concerning the status of your current year refund, call 1-855-894-7391 or check our website at www.revenue.alabama.gov, then click on "Where’s My Refund". Return processing times vary depending on many factors, including complexity of the return and our identity verification processes. Please allow 8 to 12 weeks to receive your refund. The Department is once again converting some tax refunds to a paper check that were requested to be delivered by direct deposit. Making this change is intended to prevent criminals from easily diverting fraudulently filed refunds to their own accounts. Avoiding potential refund fraud by sending paper checks outweighs taking the risk of sending a refund electronically to the wrong party.
Alaska - None provided.
Arizona - To assist taxpayers and tax professionals expecting refunds, ADOR encourages tax professionals and taxpayers to use the “Where’s My Refund” tool located here: AZTaxes.gov/Home/CheckRefund.
Refund Lookup Tool: https://aztaxes.gov/Home/CheckRefund
Refund Info page: https://azdor.gov/individual-income-tax-filing-assistance/wheres-my-refund
Arkansas- Identity Theft has been a growing problem nationally and the Department is taking additional measures to ensure tax refunds are issued to the correct individuals. These additional measures may result in tax refunds not being issued as quickly as in past years.
Arkansas "Where’s My Refund": http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/incomeTax/individual/Pages/WheresMyRefund.aspx
California - No changes.
URL: URL: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/refund/index.asp
Colorado- In the best interest of all our taxpayers, the Colorado Department of Revenue implements measures to detect and prevent identity theft-related refund fraud. Fraud detection, along with verification that claims made on an individual income tax return are valid and the documentation is submitted with the returns, are part of the process of ensuring the return is correct and complete and that taxpayers receive the refund amount to which they are entitled. Please be aware that Colorado's fraud prevention measures, meant to ensure state tax dollars are going to the right person, could delay individual income tax refunds up to 60 days beyond the time frames of prior years.
URL: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax/refund
Connecticut - Taxpayers can check on the status of their refund using the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services' Taxpayer Service Center (TSC) by visiting www.ct.gov/myrefund or by calling 800-382-9463 (Connecticut calls outside the Greater Hartford calling area only) or 860-297-5962 (from anywhere). Taxpayers must provide their SSN (and their spouse’s if filing jointly) and the exact amount of the refund requested.
Delaware - You will receive a tax return acknowledgement from the Delaware Division of Revenue when your return has been received and is being processed. If additional information is needed to process your return, the Division of Revenue will contact you. Refund time frames can vary depending on the complexity of your return (usually eight weeks). You can check the status of your refund at any time at https://dorweb.revenue.delaware.gov/scripts/refinq/refinq.dll.
District of Columbia - On average, the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) issues refunds within 6 weeks. Taxpayers can view their refund status by visiting OTR’s online portal, MyTax.DC.gov. Via MyTax.DC.gov, a refund status is provided only for a return filed within the last six months. For additional information or inquiries, taxpayers should contact OTR’s e-Services Unit at (202) 759-1946.
URL: https://mytax.dc.gov
Georgia - The Department is protecting Georgia taxpayers from tax fraud. It may take more than 90 business days from the date of receipt by DOR to process a return and issue a refund.
URL: https://dor.georgia.gov/wheres-my-refund
Hawaii - Check your Individual Tax Refund Status at the Department of Hawaii Taxation website.
URL: https://tax.ehawaii.gov/hoihoi/refund.html
Idaho - Typical timeframes are 7-8 weeks for e-filed returns and 10 -11 weeks for paper returns. There are some exceptions. For more information, please visit Idaho State Tax Commission website.
Illinois - The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is required to review returns and ensure the amounts requested as refunds are issued accurately and to the legitimate recipient. Once a return is received by IDOR, many different factors can affect the timing of a refund. Some returns take longer to review than others for many reasons including, but not limited to,
URL: https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/individuals/Pages/refunds.aspx
Indiana - Refund checks will generally be processed, mailed, and in the taxpayer’s possession within three weeks of the department’s acknowledgment. However, if a delay does occur, taxpayers are advised to wait four weeks from the date of transmission before contacting the department to inquire about the status of a refund check.
Taxpayers may inquire about the status of their state refund by accessing the department’s web page at https://secure.in.gov/apps/dor/tax/refund/ or by calling the department’s Automated Refund Line at (317) 233-4018. With either process, the taxpayer will need to provide their Social Security Number, the tax year (not date filed), and the exact refund amount claimed on the return.
URL: https://secure.in.gov/apps/dor/tax/refund/
Iowa - The anticipated time frame for refund processing is 30-45 days. Please check your Iowa refund status online at https://tax.iowa.gov/ "Where’s My Refund?" Iowa Department of Revenue phone representatives only have access to the same information that you see online.
Kansas - Taxpayers expecting refunds that filed electronically can expect a deposit in 10 to 14 business days. Taxpayers expecting a refund that filed using a paper form should allow at least 16 to 20 weeks to receive a refund back by mail. To check your current year tax refund go to our website or call 1-800-894-0318 for automated refund information. You will need your Social Security number(s) and the expected amount of your refund. Any errors, inaccurate forms or information, photocopied forms, or incomplete information will delay the processing of a return and can extend the timeframe for you to expect your refund.
URL: https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/kcsc/increfundstatus.aspx
Kentucky - The Kentucky Department of Revenue takes active steps to protect taxpayers, and taxpayer dollars, from fraud and identity theft. This can increase the time it takes to review and process income tax returns and requests for refunds. The department strives to process individual income tax requests efficiently and is committed to processing individual requests for income tax refunds within a timely manner.
Taxpayers may check their refund status online by using the Where’s My Refund? application on the Kentucky Department of Revenue website.
URL: https://iitrefundstatus.ky.gov/TRFWeb/index.jsp
Louisiana - No longer allows direct deposit for first-time filers.
Maine - Refund status is updated twice a week on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
URL: https://portal.maine.gov/refundstatus/refund
Maryland - Corporate Income tax Forms 500 and 510 are due the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of the tax year or period.
Massachusetts - No announced changes.
URL: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/check-the-status-of-your-tax-refund
Michigan - No announced changes.
Minnesota- No announced changes
Mississippi - Due to the increase in fraudulent activity, the Mississippi Department of Revenue has implemented additional procedures and safeguards into our return processes in an effort to mitigate potential fraud. These processes will validate income tax returns and credits reported prior to issuing requested refunds. As a result, these additional procedures may cause a delay in refund processing in order to ensure that the right refunds are being paid to the right taxpayers.
Missouri - Generally, the timeframe for issuing refunds depends on when the return is filed and the incoming volumes. For returns filed in January with no problems noted, refunds can sometimes be issued within a week. However, refunds from returns filed in April can sometimes take 8 weeks, even if there is no problem with the return as the state manages its cash resources to meet all of its obligations. The timing of refunds is also affected by the Department’s measures to prevent identity theft and refund fraud. Refunds will only be issued when the Department has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the individuals claiming the refunds are not using stolen identities.
Montana - It can take up to 90 days to issue a refund and the Department may need to ask you to verify information prior to sending the refund. Find more information about our refund process and check your refund status on Montana’s website at - http://mtrevenue.gov/taxes/individuals-income-tax/individual-refunds/
Nebraska - Identity theft continues to be a concern. The Nebrasks Department of Revenud (DOR) utilizes fraud detection and verification processes to reduce refund fraud designed to protect all taxpayers filing Nebraska returns. These steps may increase the amount of time needed to process income tax returns and issue tax refunds. DOR is committed to processing the tax returns efficiently while safeguarding taxpayer information. Please allow a minimum of 30 days to receive your refund if you e-file an error-free return. For paper returns, please allow a minimum of three months to receive your refund ifyou file an error-free return. Your refund will generally be issued by July 15, if your return is filed by the April 15th due date.
URL: http://www.revenue.nebraska.gov/refund/refunds.html
New Hampshire - No announced changes.
New Jersey - Will begin issuing refunds the third week of February.
URL: https://www20.state.nj.us/TYTR_TGI_INQ/jsp/prompt.jsp
New Mexico - You can see the status of your refund at the Department's website (TAP) at https://tap.state.nm.us. Under the PERSONAL INCOME section, click the link titled Where’s My Refund? Select your social security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the ID Type drop-down menu then enter the number in the field provided. Lastly, enter the exact refund amount in the field provided then click the search button. You are not required to register to use this service.
Before calling about your refund, please allow time for the Department to process your refund claim. Generally, electronically filed returns claiming a refund are processed in 6 to 8 weeks. A paper return claiming a refund takes 8 to 12 weeks to process. If sufficient time has passed for your return to be processed, access TAP for additional information or contact us at (866) 285-2996.
New Jersey - No changes.
New York - No changes.
North Carolina -You can check the status of your refund online at https://www.ncdor.gov/file-pay/eservices/refund-process. In order to view status information, you will be prompted to enter the first social security number listed on your tax return along with the exact amount of your refund. You can also call our toll-free refund inquiry line at 1-877-252-4052, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Refund checks are written weekly. If you contact our refund inquiry line and you are advised that your check has not been written, please wait 7 days before calling the refund inquiry line again.
URL: https://www.ncdor.gov/file-pay/refund-process
North Dakota - Sign up for text or email alerts that provide you updates on the status of your refund! Refund statuses are updated daily. Choose direct deposit for the quickest turn-around time.
URL: www.nd.gov/tax/refund.
Ohio - Taxpayers who request a direct deposit for an original return may expect a refund within 15 business days. Paper returns will take approximately 8 to 10 weeks to process. If the refund is not received in this time period, please use the "Check My Refund Status" option on the tax.ohio.gov website using the following URL: https://www.tax.state.oh.us/IFILE/WheresMyRefundWeb/wheresmyrefund
Oklahoma - If the return was e-filed, taxpayers can generally begin checking on their refund about four business days after the return was accepted by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. If the return was paper filed, taxpayers should wait about three weeks to begin checking on their refund. Once processed, allow five working days for the deposit to be made to a bank account. For debit card refunds, allow five to seven working days for delivery. Visit the OTC website at www.tax.ok.gov and click on the "Check on a Refund" link, which will lead to our Taxpayer Access Point (OkTAP).
Oregon - We will start issuing refunds on February 18, 2020 (for PIT only).
URL: www.oregon.gov/dor
Pennsylvania - If you filed electronically it takes approximately 4 weeks to process your tax return. However, if the department needs to verify information reported on your return or request additional information, the process will take longer. After your overpayment is processed, it normally takes an additional 3 to 4 week for your refund to be mailed or direct deposited.
Rhode Island - No announced changes.
URL: Where’s My Refund? https://www.ri.gov/taxation/refund/
South Carolina - No announced changes.
Tennessee - To assist taxpayers and tax professionals expecting refunds, the TDOR encourages taxpayers to request refunds through its online TNTAP portal. All refunds will be issued by paper check.
URL: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/existing-businesses/request-a-refund.html
Utah - Due to our efforts to protect your identity, please allow 120 days from the date you filed your return or March 1, whichever is later, to process your return and refund request. Please remember that the Utah State Tax Commission cannot issue refunds before March 1st if it cannot verify your W-2s with your employers. Use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to track the status of your refund.
URL: https://incometax.utah.gov/refunds
Vermont - Taxpayers should be aware that the Department's measures to combat personal income tax fraud for the 2019 tax filing season may cause delays in receiving their refunds.
The most efficient and secure way to file Vermont tax returns continues to be electronic filing, and direct deposit to an existing bank account is the fastest way to receive a refund. The Department began processing returns the first week of February. Taxpayers who e-file generally receive their refunds more quickly than those who file paper returns. For e-filers, nearly 75% of refunds last year were issued within 30 days. Because paper filings must be scanned, paper filers will not receive their refunds until at least 8-12 weeks after their returns are received by the Department.
Are you curious to know the status of your refund? After you file your return, you may learn the status by visiting myVTax and clicking "Check the status of your return”. Once you transmit your e-filed return it may take up to 72 hours for your information to become available. For those who paper file, the information regarding the status of a return can take 4 weeks or more to become available on myVTax.
URL: https://myvtax.vermont.gov/
Virginia - No announced changes.
URL: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/wheres-my-refund
West Virginia - The West Virginia State Tax Department is responding to an increased risk of fraudulent filings and is implementing enhanced security measures for your protection. As a result, expect significant delay of your tax refund. You should only call concerning your refund if it has been more than 10 weeks since filing your return. In the interim, please use this tool to check the status of your refund.
Typical refund timeframes for correctly filed returns
Refund Exceptions
Wisconsin - No changes.
URL: https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/Apps/TaxReturnStatus.aspx