Check your refund status through the Comptroller's website

The Maryland Department of Taxation runs a refund tracker on its website where you can see where your money is in the process. Go to marylandtaxes.gov and look for "Where's My Refund?" — it is usually near the top of the page or in a search box. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return.

The tracker tells you whether your return has been received, is being processed, has been approved, or has been sent to your bank. If it shows "approved" or "sent," your refund is on the way. The page updates once a day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in one day will not show new information.

If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, your refund typically arrives within 21 days of approval. If you chose a paper check, add another 7 to 10 business days for mailing.

Key Takeaways

  • The Maryland Department of Taxation's "Where's My Refund?" tool on marylandtaxes.gov shows your refund status using your Social Security number and filing information.
  • Electronic refunds sent by direct deposit usually arrive within 21 days of approval; paper checks take an additional 7 to 10 business days.
  • If your refund is delayed beyond these timeframes, contact the Comptroller's office directly rather than waiting.
  • The refund tracker updates once daily, so checking multiple times per day will not show new progress.

What to do if the tracker shows no information about your return

If you search the tracker and see no record of your return, it usually means the Comptroller's office has not yet received and scanned it. This happens most often with paper returns mailed in, which can take two to four weeks to be logged into the system after arrival. If you filed electronically, a missing return is less common but can happen if the return did not transmit successfully.

Wait at least four weeks from the date you mailed a paper return before assuming there is a problem. If four weeks have passed and the tracker still shows nothing, call the Maryland Department of Taxation at 410-260-7980 (or 301-260-7980 from the Washington, D.C. area). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the date you mailed or filed ready.

Refunds delayed beyond the normal timeline

If the tracker shows your return was approved but your refund has not arrived after 21 days (for direct deposit) or 28 days (for a check), something may have gone wrong. Common reasons include a bank account number error on your return, a closed account, or a hold placed by your bank.

Call the Comptroller's office at the number above and ask them to verify the bank routing and account number on file. If there was an error, they can issue a paper check instead, which takes longer but avoids the account problem. If your bank placed a hold, contact your bank directly — the Comptroller cannot override a bank's decision.

What happens if you filed jointly but only one spouse received the refund

Joint refunds are sent to a single account, usually the one listed first on the return. If you and your spouse filed jointly but only one of you received the money, check the return to see whose account was used. The person who received it should transfer the other's share, or you can contact the Comptroller's office to request the refund be split and reissued — though this takes additional time.

To prevent this in future years, discuss with your spouse before filing which account the refund should go to, and make sure that account information is correct on the return.

Amended returns and refund delays

If you filed an amended return (Form 502) after your original return, your refund will be delayed. The Comptroller must process the original return first, then the amended return, then issue a new refund amount. This process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from the date the amended return is received.

The "Where's My Refund?" tracker may show your original return as approved, but your actual refund will not be issued until the amended return is fully processed. You can call the Comptroller's office to ask whether your amended return has been received and is in the queue.

Refunds offset for unpaid debts

Maryland can hold your refund if you owe money to the state — for example, unpaid child support, student loan debt, or a prior-year tax bill. This is called an offset. If this happens, the Comptroller will send you a notice in the mail explaining what debt caused the hold and how much of your refund was taken.

The notice will tell you which agency is holding the money and how to contact them if you believe the debt is wrong or has been paid. You cannot reverse an offset through the tax office; you must resolve the underlying debt with the agency that reported it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Maryland tax refund?

If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, expect 21 days from approval. Paper checks take an additional 7 to 10 business days. Paper returns take 2 to 4 weeks just to be scanned into the system before processing begins, so the total time is longer.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the Comptroller's office?

No. The Comptroller cannot speed up processing or issue your refund early. Calling is only useful if your refund is missing, delayed beyond the normal timeline, or if you need to report an error on your return.

What if the tracker says my refund was sent but I never received it?

If direct deposit was sent, contact your bank first — the money may have arrived but been held or moved by your bank. If you chose a check and it never arrived, call the Comptroller at 410-260-7980 to report it missing. They can issue a replacement check or investigate whether it was lost in the mail.

Do I need to do anything if my refund status shows "approved"?

No. Once approved, your refund is automatically sent to your bank or mailed to you. You do not need to take any action — just wait for it to arrive.

Can I change my bank account after I file but before my refund arrives?

No. Once your return is filed, the bank account information is locked in. If you need to change it, you would have to file an amended return, which delays your refund by several weeks. It is better to wait for the refund to arrive in the original account and transfer it yourself.