Start with the Mississippi Department of Revenue

The Mississippi Department of Revenue is the state agency that processes your tax refund. They are the only place that can tell you where your refund is and when it will arrive. You can reach them by phone at 601-359-1141, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

Before you call, have your Social Security number and the tax year you filed for ready. The staff member will ask for these to look up your return in their system. If you filed jointly with a spouse, have both Social Security numbers available.

The Department of Revenue also maintains a refund status tool on their website at dor.ms.gov. You can enter your information there to see your refund status without calling. This tool updates regularly and often gives you an answer faster than waiting on hold.

Key Takeaways

  • The Mississippi Department of Revenue at 601-359-1141 is the official source for your refund status and the only place that can tell you when your money will arrive.
  • You can check your refund status online at dor.ms.gov without calling, and this tool updates regularly throughout the processing period.
  • Have your Social Security number and tax year ready before you call, and call during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
  • If you filed through a tax preparer or software company, they may have their own tracking tool, but the Department of Revenue has the official answer.

What information you will need to provide

When you contact the Department of Revenue, they will ask you to verify your identity before discussing your refund. Have your Social Security number ready, as this is the primary identifier they use. If you filed a joint return, they may ask for your spouse's Social Security number as well.

You will also need to know the tax year you are asking about — for example, whether this is your 2023 or 2024 refund. If you are unsure which year you filed, you can check your tax return documents or the confirmation email from your tax software or preparer.

How long Mississippi refunds typically take

Mississippi processes most refunds within 4 to 6 weeks from the date they receive your return. If you filed electronically, this timeline usually starts from the date you submitted your return. If you mailed a paper return, it starts from the date the Department of Revenue receives it in their office, which can take an additional week or two.

Some refunds take longer. If the Department of Revenue needs to verify information on your return — for example, if there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what your employer reported — the process can stretch to 8 weeks or more. The staff member you speak with can tell you if your return is flagged for review.

Direct deposit versus mailed check

If you chose direct deposit on your return, your refund will go directly into your bank account. Direct deposit is usually faster than a mailed check — typically 2 to 3 business days after the Department of Revenue processes your return. You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number when you file to use this option.

If you requested a mailed check, the Department of Revenue will mail it to the address on your return. A check can take 7 to 10 business days to arrive after it is mailed, depending on postal service speed. If you moved since you filed, the check may be delayed or returned to the Department of Revenue. If this happens, contact them to update your address and request a replacement check.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If your refund has not arrived within the timeframe the Department of Revenue gave you, call them again at 601-359-1141. Have your confirmation number from your return ready if you have it — this helps them locate your file faster. Explain that you were given a specific date and your refund has not arrived.

The Department of Revenue can place a tracer on your refund if it appears to be lost in the mail. They can also reissue a check if the original was mailed but never reached you. In rare cases, they may issue a replacement by direct deposit if your bank account information is on file.

If you used a tax preparer or software

If you used a tax preparation company like H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or TurboTax, they may have sent your return to the Department of Revenue on your behalf. Some of these services offer their own refund tracking tools. However, the Department of Revenue is still the official source of truth about your refund status.

If your tax preparer or software company cannot tell you where your refund is, contact the Department of Revenue directly. They can look up your return by your Social Security number and tax year, regardless of who prepared it. Do not rely solely on a third-party tracker if you need a definitive answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status without calling?

Yes. The Mississippi Department of Revenue has a refund status tool on their website at dor.ms.gov where you can enter your information and see where your refund is in the process. This tool is available 24 hours a day and updates regularly, so you may get an answer faster than calling during business hours.

What if I filed a joint return with my spouse?

Either you or your spouse can call to check on the refund status. Have both Social Security numbers ready, as the Department of Revenue may ask for both to verify the return. The refund will be issued to whichever account or address is listed on the return.

My refund went to the wrong bank account. What do I do?

Call the Department of Revenue at 601-359-1141 when ready. If the direct deposit went to an account you no longer have access to, they can stop the deposit if it has not yet processed and reissue the refund by check or to a different account. The sooner you call, the better your chances of stopping an incorrect deposit.

How do I know if my return is being audited?

The Department of Revenue will contact you by mail if they need to review your return. You will not find out through a refund status check. If you receive a letter from the Department of Revenue asking for more information, follow the instructions in that letter and contact the office listed on it. Do not ignore audit notices, as they have important date.

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a fee?

No. The Department of Revenue does not offer expedited refund processing for a fee. Your refund will be processed in the order it was received. Some tax preparation companies offer refund advance loans, but these are loans you must repay, not your actual refund.