Where to check your Maryland refund status
The Maryland Department of Revenue runs a tool called Where's My Refund? that shows you the status of your state tax refund. You can access it on the Maryland tax website without logging in — you only need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount you expected.
The tool updates once a day, usually overnight. If you filed your return electronically, you can typically check the status within 24 hours of filing. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least two weeks before checking, since the state needs time to receive and process it.
You can also call the Maryland Department of Revenue refund hotline at 410-260-7980 or 1-800-638-2937. Have your Social Security number and filing status ready when you call. Wait times are shortest early in the morning or late in the week.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland's Where's My Refund? tool is free and requires only your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount.
- Electronic returns show a status update within 24 hours of filing; paper returns take at least two weeks to appear in the system.
- The refund tool updates once daily, usually overnight, so checking multiple times the same day will show the same information.
- If the tool shows an error or you cannot find your return, call the Maryland Department of Revenue at 410-260-7980 to speak with someone who can investigate.
What the status messages mean
When you check your refund, you will see one of several status messages. Return received means the state has your return but has not started processing it yet. This is normal and happens within the first few days after filing.
Return accepted means the state has reviewed your return and found no problems. Processing is underway. Refund approved means the state has finished reviewing your return and approved your refund — it is now waiting to be sent to your bank or mailed as a check.
Refund sent means the state has released your refund. If you chose direct deposit, the money is on its way to your bank account. If you requested a check, it has been mailed to the address on your return. Direct deposits usually arrive within three to five business days; checks take seven to ten business days from the date sent.
Why your refund might be delayed
If your return shows under review or pending, the state is checking something on your return. This can happen if your income does not match what employers reported, if you claimed a large credit, or if there is a discrepancy between your federal and state returns.
The state may also hold your refund if you owe back taxes, child support, or other debts to Maryland or another state. If this is the case, the Where's My Refund? tool will usually tell you. You can also contact the Department of Revenue directly to ask why your refund is delayed.
If you filed a paper return and it has been more than four weeks since you mailed it, and the tool still does not show your return, call the Department of Revenue. Paper returns sometimes get lost in the mail or misfiled in the system.
How to use Where's My Refund?
Go to the Maryland Department of Revenue website and look for the Where's My Refund? link. You will see a box asking for three pieces of information: your Social Security number, your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household), and the exact refund amount from your return.
Type these in carefully. The refund amount must match exactly — if you entered $1,500 on your return but type $1,050, the tool will not find your return. If you are unsure of the exact amount, check your copy of the return you filed or your filing confirmation email.
After you enter the information, click the search button. The tool will show your refund status and, if your refund has been sent, the date it was released. Bookmark this page if you plan to check again — you will not need to re-enter your information each time.
What to do if the tool cannot find your return
If Where's My Refund? says it cannot find your return, first check that you typed your information correctly. The most common mistake is entering the wrong refund amount. Try again with the exact figure from your return.
If the tool still cannot find your return and you filed electronically, wait 24 hours and try again. The system sometimes takes longer to process returns filed late in the day or on weekends.
If you filed a paper return and it has been less than two weeks, the return may not be in the system yet. Wait a few more days and check again. If it has been more than two weeks and the tool still cannot find it, call 410-260-7980 to report it. Have your return in front of you when you call so you can give the representative your filing information.
Direct deposit versus check refunds
When you filed your return, you chose how to receive your refund: direct deposit to a bank account or a mailed check. Direct deposit is faster — the money usually arrives three to five business days after the state releases it. A check takes seven to ten business days from the release date, and longer if it gets delayed in the mail.
If you chose direct deposit but the tool shows your refund was sent and the money has not arrived after five business days, contact your bank to make sure the deposit went to the right account. Sometimes a typo in the account number causes the deposit to go to the wrong bank or be rejected.
If you chose a check and it has been more than two weeks since the release date, you can request a replacement check by calling the Department of Revenue. They will need to verify your identity and may ask you to sign a form stating the check was not received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund status if I filed with a tax preparer or accountant?
Yes. The Where's My Refund? tool works the same way regardless of who prepared your return. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. If you do not have these details, ask your tax preparer for a copy of the return they filed on your behalf.
What if I filed an amended return?
Amended returns take longer to process than original returns — usually six to eight weeks. The Where's My Refund? tool may show your original return status for a while before it updates to show the amended return. If you filed an amended return and want to check its status, call the Department of Revenue instead of using the online tool.
Do I need to create an account to use Where's My Refund?
No. The tool is free and does not require you to log in or create an account. You only need your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. This keeps the process straightforward and protects your privacy.
What if my refund was sent but I never received it?
If the tool shows your refund was sent as a check and you did not receive it after two weeks, call 410-260-7980 to request a replacement. If it was sent as a direct deposit and did not arrive after five business days, contact your bank to confirm the deposit was not sent to the wrong account.
Can I speed up my refund?
No. The state processes refunds in the order they are received. Direct deposit is faster than a check, but you chose your method when you filed. If you filed a paper return, filing electronically next year will be faster.