Check your refund status through the Comptroller's website

The Maryland Department of Taxation runs a refund tracker on the Comptroller's website. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount you expect. The tool tells you whether your return is still being processed, approved, or sent out — and if it has been sent, the payment method and expected arrival date.

Go to marylandtaxes.gov and look for "Where's My Refund?" or "Refund Status." The tool works for both state income tax refunds and amended returns. It updates once a day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will not show new information.

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

Key Takeaways

  • The Maryland Comptroller's "Where's My Refund?" tool on marylandtaxes.gov is the official source for refund status and shows whether your return is processing, approved, or sent.
  • Electronic returns appear in the tracker within 24 hours of receipt; paper returns take 2 to 4 weeks to enter the system.
  • The tracker updates once daily and shows the payment method (direct deposit or check) and expected arrival date once your refund is approved.
  • If the tracker shows no record of your return after the normal processing window, contact the Maryland Department of Taxation directly by phone or through their website.

What the tracker tells you at each stage

When you first enter your information, the tracker shows one of three statuses. Return received means the Maryland Department of Taxation has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. Return approved means they have processed it and your refund has been authorized. Refund sent means the money has left the state's account and is on its way to you.

Once your refund is approved, the tracker also displays the payment method. If you chose direct deposit on your return, it shows the last four digits of the bank account where the deposit will land. If you are receiving a check, it shows the mailing address on file. The tracker gives an expected arrival date — typically 3 to 5 business days for direct deposit, 7 to 10 business days for a mailed check.

The tracker does not show a status for every return every day. If your return is still in the initial review phase, you may see "no record found" for several days. This is normal and does not mean something is wrong.

How long Maryland takes to process refunds

Processing time depends on how you filed and whether your return has any issues. Electronic returns without errors are usually approved within 2 to 3 weeks. Paper returns take longer because they must be manually entered into the system first — expect 6 to 8 weeks from the date you mailed them.

Some returns take longer. If your return includes a claim for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Maryland Department of Taxation holds it until mid-February to match your information against federal records. If you claimed a dependent or had a significant change in income, the department may request additional documents, which adds time.

During tax season (January through April), processing can be slower than the typical timeline. If you filed in March or April, add 1 to 2 weeks to the estimates above.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If the tracker shows no record of your return after the normal processing window has passed, or if it has been stuck on "return received" for more than 4 weeks, contact the Maryland Department of Taxation. Call 410-260-7980 (Baltimore area) or 1-800-638-2937 (toll-free). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount ready.

The department can tell you whether your return is in queue, whether they need additional information from you, or whether there is a problem with your bank account information (which can cause direct deposits to fail). If they need documents, they will tell you how to send them — usually by mail or through your online account on marylandtaxes.gov.

If your refund was supposed to arrive by check and you have not received it after the expected date, the department can issue a replacement check. You will need to wait 60 days from the original expected arrival date before requesting a replacement, to account for mail delays.

Direct deposit versus check — and what happens if one fails

Maryland offers both direct deposit and check payment for refunds. Direct deposit is faster — typically 3 to 5 business days once approved — and there is no risk of the check being lost in the mail. If you chose direct deposit on your return, the tracker shows the last four digits of your account.

If your direct deposit fails — usually because the account number on your return does not match your bank's records, or the account has been closed — the Maryland Department of Taxation will mail you a check instead. This adds 7 to 10 business days. The department does not contact you to tell you the deposit failed; you find out when the check arrives or when you check the tracker and see the status has changed to "check mailed."

If you want to change your payment method after you have filed, you cannot do so through the tracker. You must contact the Maryland Department of Taxation directly and request the change before your refund is approved. Once it is approved, the payment method is locked.

Amended returns and refund status

If you filed an amended return (Form 502), the tracker works the same way — enter your information and it shows the status of the amended return separately from your original return. Amended returns take longer to process than original returns, typically 8 to 12 weeks.

If you filed an amended return because you made a mistake on your original return, the Maryland Department of Taxation will process both returns. Your refund will reflect the corrected amount. If the amended return reduces your refund, the department will send you the difference. If it increases your refund, you will receive the additional amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status without my Social Security number?

No. The Maryland Department of Taxation requires your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount to pull up your record. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from looking up your refund information. If you do not remember your expected refund amount, you can estimate it based on what you paid in taxes or what you remember from your return.

Why does the tracker say "no record found" when I know I filed?

If you filed electronically, the tracker usually has your return within 24 hours. If it still shows no record after 2 to 3 days, double-check that you entered your information correctly — a wrong Social Security number or filing status will produce no results. If your information is correct and it has been more than a week, contact the Maryland Department of Taxation to confirm they received your return.

What if I filed a paper return — how do I know when it arrived?

Paper returns do not show up in the tracker until they have been manually entered into the system, which takes 2 to 4 weeks. If you want proof that the Maryland Department of Taxation received your return, send it by certified mail with return receipt. Keep the receipt. Once the return is entered into the system, the tracker will show its status.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the department?

No. Calling the department does not speed up processing. The department can tell you the status of your return and answer questions about delays, but they cannot move your return ahead in the queue. The only way to get a faster refund is to file electronically instead of by paper, which you can only do for future years.

What happens if my refund was sent but I never received it?

If the tracker shows "refund sent" and you have not received it, wait the full expected arrival window before taking action — mail can be slow. If it has been longer than the expected date, contact the Maryland Department of Taxation. For direct deposits, they can investigate whether the deposit was rejected by your bank. For checks, they can issue a replacement after 60 days from the original expected arrival date.