How to Check Your 2023 Maryland Tax Refund Status

How to find your 2023 Maryland tax refund

The Maryland Department of Revenue runs a refund tracker on its website where you can see the status of your 2023 return. You will need your Social Security number and the exact refund amount you claimed on your return. The tracker updates once a day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day will not show new information.

Go to marylandtaxes.gov and look for the "Where's My Refund?" tool in the main navigation. Enter your SSN and refund amount, then select the tax year 2023. The system will tell you whether your return is still being processed, has been approved, or has already been sent.

If you filed electronically, the tracker typically shows a status within 24 hours of the Maryland Department of Revenue receiving your return. Paper returns take longer to enter the system — usually 2 to 4 weeks after you mail them.

Key Takeaways

• The Maryland Department of Revenue's "Where's My Refund?" tool on marylandtaxes.gov is the official source for your refund status and updates once per day.
• You need your Social Security number and the exact refund amount from your return to check your status.
• Electronic returns appear in the tracker within 24 hours; paper returns take 2 to 4 weeks to enter the system.
• If your refund was approved, the tracker will show the payment method (direct deposit or check) and the expected arrival date.
• Refunds sent by direct deposit typically arrive within 3 to 5 business days after approval; checks take 7 to 10 business days.

What the refund tracker status messages mean

The tracker shows one of three main statuses. "Return received and being processed" means the Maryland Department of Revenue has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. This is normal and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on whether your return needs additional review.

"Return approved" means the department has finished checking your return and determined you are due a refund. At this point, the tracker will also show your payment method — either direct deposit to a bank account or a paper check mailed to your address on file. The tracker will display the expected payment date.

"Refund sent" means the payment has left the Maryland Department of Revenue. If you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive in your bank account within 3 to 5 business days. If you are receiving a check, allow 7 to 10 business days from the "refund sent" date for it to arrive in the mail.

Why your 2023 refund might be delayed

The most common reason for a delay is an error or inconsistency on your return. This might be a mismatched Social Security number, a missing signature, income reported on a W-2 or 1099 that does not match what you claimed, or a dependent claimed on your return who was also claimed by someone else. The Maryland Department of Revenue will contact you by mail if this happens, usually within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving your return.

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child and Dependent Care Credit, your return is held for additional review by federal law. Maryland must wait for the IRS to complete its review before approving your state refund. This can add 2 to 4 weeks to the timeline.

Returns filed on paper take longer than electronic returns straightforward because they must be manually entered into the system. If you mailed your return, expect the tracker to show activity 2 to 4 weeks after you sent it.

What to do if the tracker shows no record of your return

If you filed electronically and the tracker shows nothing after 24 hours, first confirm you used the correct Social Security number and refund amount. If those are correct, your return may not have been successfully transmitted to the Maryland Department of Revenue. Contact your tax software provider or the tax professional who filed your return and ask them to verify the submission.

If you filed on paper and it has been more than 4 weeks since you mailed your return, contact the Maryland Department of Revenue directly. Have your return copy and the date you mailed it ready. You can reach them at 410-260-7980 (Baltimore area) or 1-800-638-2937 (outside Baltimore). Processing times vary, so they may ask you to wait a bit longer before they can investigate.

If your return was lost in the mail, you will need to file an amended return or a duplicate return. The Maryland Department of Revenue can advise you on which form to use based on your situation.

Direct deposit versus check payment timing

The payment method you chose on your return determines how long you wait after approval. Direct deposit is faster: once the tracker shows "refund sent," the money typically arrives in your bank account within 3 to 5 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank's processing speed, but most banks post the deposit within this window.

Paper checks take longer because they must be printed, signed, and mailed. After the tracker shows "refund sent," allow 7 to 10 business days for the check to arrive. If you do not receive it within that timeframe, contact the Maryland Department of Revenue with the refund amount and the date shown on the tracker.

If you did not choose a payment method on your return, the Maryland Department of Revenue will send a check to the address on file. You cannot change this to direct deposit after filing.

If your refund was offset or reduced

Sometimes the Maryland Department of Revenue reduces or withholds your refund to pay off a debt you owe to the state or federal government. This is called an offset. Common reasons include unpaid child support, outstanding student loans, or back taxes owed to Maryland or the IRS.

The tracker will not always show an offset clearly. If your refund amount is smaller than expected or the tracker shows "refund sent" but you never received it, contact the Maryland Department of Revenue at 410-260-7980 or 1-800-638-2937. They can tell you whether an offset was applied and to which debt.

If the offset was for federal debt (like a student loan), the federal government may have intercepted your refund before it reached Maryland. In that case, you will need to contact the federal agency holding the debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a 2023 Maryland refund?

Electronic returns typically show a status within 24 hours and are approved within 1 to 3 weeks. Paper returns take 2 to 4 weeks to enter the system, then another 1 to 3 weeks to process. Once approved, direct deposits arrive in 3 to 5 business days and checks arrive in 7 to 10 business days.

Can I check my refund status if I filed with a tax professional?

Yes. You can use the "Where's My Refund?" tool on marylandtaxes.gov with your SSN and refund amount. The tool does not care who filed your return — it only tracks the status with the Maryland Department of Revenue.

What if the refund amount in the tracker does not match what I claimed?

Contact the Maryland Department of Revenue at 410-260-7980 or 1-800-638-2937. A mismatch usually means the department found an error during review and adjusted your refund. They will explain the change and send you a letter with details.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the Maryland Department of Revenue?

No. Calling does not speed up processing. The department processes returns in the order they are received. If your return is still being processed, calling will not move it forward. If there is an error, calling can help you resolve it faster, but the processing timeline remains the same.

What if I never receive my refund check?

Wait 10 business days after the tracker shows "refund sent." If the check has not arrived, contact the Maryland Department of Revenue with the refund amount and the date shown on the tracker. They can issue a replacement check or investigate whether it was lost in the mail.