How to Track Your Maryland and Federal Tax Refunds

Where to check the status of your Maryland and federal refunds

Maryland and the federal government track refunds through separate systems, and you check each one independently. For your federal refund, use the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. For your Maryland state refund, use the Comptroller of Maryland's Where's My Refund tool at marylandtaxes.gov. Both tools require your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. You can check either one as soon as you file—the IRS typically updates every 24 hours during filing season.

If you filed electronically, your refund status should appear within 24 hours of the IRS accepting your return. If you mailed a paper return, it takes longer for the IRS to process it and post a status. The same timing applies to Maryland—electronic filers see updates faster than those who mail returns.

Key Takeaways

Federal refunds are tracked through irs.gov/refunds, and Maryland refunds through marylandtaxes.gov, and you must check each system separately.
Both tools update every 24 hours during filing season and show you the status, expected deposit date, and payment method you chose.
If your refund status shows "still processing" after 21 days from acceptance, contact the IRS or Maryland Comptroller directly rather than waiting.
Direct deposit refunds arrive faster than checks, typically within 5 to 7 business days after the IRS or state approves your return.
If you filed jointly and only one spouse's information is available in the tracking tool, contact the IRS—this sometimes signals a problem with the return.

How the IRS Where's My Refund tool works

The IRS tool shows three possible statuses: "Return Received," "Refund Approved," or "Refund Sent." When your return is first accepted, you see "Return Received" and an expected approval date. Once the IRS approves your refund, the status changes to "Refund Approved" and shows the date the money will be deposited or mailed. After the refund leaves the IRS, the status changes to "Refund Sent" with the actual deposit or mailing date.

If you chose direct deposit, the refund typically arrives 5 to 7 business days after the IRS approves it. If you chose a check, allow 7 to 10 business days after approval. The tool will not show a specific deposit time—only the date. If the date has passed and the money has not arrived, contact your bank to confirm they received the deposit, then contact the IRS if your bank has no record of it.

How the Maryland Comptroller's Where's My Refund tool works

Maryland's tool works similarly to the federal one. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount, and the system shows whether your return is still being processed, approved, or sent. Maryland processes returns more slowly than the IRS in most cases—expect 4 to 8 weeks from the time you file before you see an approval status, depending on whether you filed electronically or by mail.

Maryland refunds are issued by check or direct deposit based on what you selected on your return. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable. If you chose direct deposit and the expected date has passed, check your bank account to see if the deposit arrived under a different name or account than expected. If it did not arrive, contact the Maryland Comptroller's Taxpayer Service Division at 410-260-7980.

What to do if your refund is delayed

A delay of 2 to 3 weeks is normal during filing season, especially if you filed early in the year when the IRS is processing millions of returns. If your status has not changed in 21 days, or if the expected date has passed and you have not received the money, take action. First, confirm your bank account information is correct—if you provided the wrong account number, the deposit will fail and the IRS will mail a check instead, which takes additional time.

If your account information is correct and the money has not arrived, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or the Maryland Comptroller at 410-260-7980. Have your return in front of you and be ready to provide your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. The IRS and Maryland can see where your refund is in the system and whether it was sent, rejected, or lost in transit.

Why your refund might be held or reduced

The IRS or Maryland may hold your refund if there is a problem with your return—for example, a missing signature, mismatched information, or an error in your Social Security number. If this happens, the tracking tool will not show a clear status, or it will say "still processing" indefinitely. You may also receive a letter from the IRS or Maryland asking for more information. Check your mail carefully, because these letters often contain a important date for responding.

Your refund may also be reduced or offset if you owe back taxes, child support, student loans in default, or other debts. The IRS and Maryland can legally use your refund to pay these debts. If this happens, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining what was taken and why. If you believe the offset was wrong, you have the right to dispute it, but you must act quickly—the notice will include a important date.

Direct deposit versus check: which arrives faster

Direct deposit is significantly faster. Once the IRS or Maryland approves your refund, a direct deposit typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days. A check takes 7 to 10 business days after approval, and that is only if the mail moves on schedule. If you are expecting a refund and need the money quickly, direct deposit is the better choice for future years.

If you filed by mail and did not provide direct deposit information, you will receive a check. There is no way to change this after you file—you must wait for the check to arrive. If the check is lost or damaged in the mail, contact the IRS or Maryland to request a replacement, which takes an additional 4 to 6 weeks.

What to do if you never received your refund check

If the tracking tool shows your refund was sent by check but you never received it, wait 10 business days after the mailing date before assuming it is lost. Checks sometimes arrive late. If 10 business days have passed, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or Maryland at 410-260-7980 and report the check as missing. You will need to provide your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount.

The IRS or Maryland will issue a replacement check, which takes 4 to 6 weeks. In the meantime, do not cash the original check if it arrives—you can only cash one. If both checks arrive, you must return the second one or contact the agency to report the duplicate. Cashing both checks is considered fraud and can result in penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status if I filed jointly with my spouse?

Yes, but only one spouse can check at a time using their own Social Security number. If you try to check using your spouse's number, you will see their portion of the refund only. If the tool shows no refund for one spouse when you know one was filed, contact the IRS—this sometimes means the return was rejected or flagged for review.

What if the IRS tool says my refund was sent but my bank says they never received it?

Contact the IRS when ready at 800-829-1040. Provide the deposit date shown in the tool and your bank account number. The IRS can trace whether the deposit was sent to the correct account and, if it was rejected by your bank, reissue it as a check. This process takes 4 to 6 weeks.

How long does it take to get a refund if I amend my return?

An amended return (Form 1040-X) takes significantly longer than an original return—typically 12 to 16 weeks for the IRS to process it, and 8 to 12 weeks for Maryland. You can track an amended return using the same tools, but the status updates less frequently. If you amended because you made an error, file it as soon as possible.

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparation company to check on it?

No. Tax preparation companies and refund tracking services cannot speed up the IRS or Maryland—they can only tell you what the official tools already show. The IRS Where's My Refund tool and Maryland's tool are free and show the same information. Do not pay for a service that claims to expedite your refund.

What if I need my refund before the expected date?

You cannot get your refund early. The IRS and Maryland process refunds on their own schedule, and there is no way to move your return to the front of the line. If you need money when ready, consider a personal loan or line of credit instead of waiting for your refund.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.