Check your refund status on the Missouri Department of Revenue website

The Missouri Department of Revenue runs a tool called Where's My Refund? that shows you the status of your state income tax refund in real time. You can find it on the department's website at dor.mo.gov. The tool tells you whether your refund is still being processed, has been approved, or has already been sent to your bank or address.

To use the tool, you will need your Social Security number, your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount you expected. The refund amount is the number on line 15 of your Form MO-1040 (the main Missouri income tax form) or the final line of whatever form you filed. If you do not have this number, you can look at your tax return or the confirmation email from your tax software.

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you just filed your return, it may take a few days to appear in the system at all. Checking multiple times in the same day will show you the same information.

Key Takeaways

  • The Missouri Department of Revenue's Where's My Refund? tool on dor.mo.gov shows your refund status without needing to call or visit an office.
  • You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return to check your status.
  • The tool updates once per day, so checking multiple times in one day will not show new information.
  • Most refunds are sent within 21 days of approval, but the timeline depends on whether you chose direct deposit or a mailed check.
  • If your refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue directly at 573-751-3505.

How long Missouri refunds typically take

Missouri processes most refunds within 21 days of approving your return. The clock starts when the department receives your complete, error-free return — not when you file it. If you filed electronically and the return was accepted the same day, the 21-day window begins then. If you mailed a paper return, it takes several days for the department to receive and scan it before processing begins.

The method you chose to receive your refund affects the final step. Direct deposit (refund sent to your bank account) is faster than a mailed check. Direct deposit refunds usually arrive within three to five business days after the department approves your return. A mailed check takes an additional seven to ten business days after approval, depending on postal delivery time to your address.

If you chose direct deposit but the department could not deposit the money (for example, if you provided an incorrect account number), they will mail a check instead, which adds time to the process.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If the Where's My Refund? tool shows your refund is still being processed after 21 days, or if it shows no information at all after a week, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue. You can call them at 573-751-3505 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount ready when you call.

Common reasons for delays include math errors on your return, missing information (like a signature or a required form), or a mismatch between the name and Social Security number you provided. The department will tell you what the issue is and what you need to do to fix it. Most of these problems can be resolved by mail or phone without visiting an office.

If you filed electronically and received an error message saying your return was rejected, check your email (including spam folders) for a notice from the department explaining why. The notice will tell you exactly what needs to be corrected before you can resubmit.

Direct deposit versus mailed checks

When you filed your return, you chose how to receive your refund. Direct deposit means the money goes straight into a bank account you own. A mailed check means the department prints a paper check and sends it through the mail to your address.

Direct deposit is faster and more reliable. Once the department approves your return, the money usually arrives in your account within three to five business days. You do not have to worry about a check getting lost in the mail or having to go to a bank to cash it. To use direct deposit, you need a valid checking or savings account and the routing number and account number for that account.

A mailed check takes longer because it has to be printed and delivered by mail, which typically adds seven to ten business days. If you move before the check arrives, it may be returned to the department undelivered. If that happens, you will have to contact the department to request a replacement check or to provide a new address.

If you filed electronically but the tool shows nothing

If you filed your return electronically more than a week ago and the Where's My Refund? tool shows no information, your return may not have been accepted yet. This can happen if there is an error in your return that the department's computer system caught before accepting it.

Check your email for a rejection notice from the Missouri Department of Revenue or from the software you used to file (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.). The notice will explain what is wrong and how to fix it. Common issues include a missing signature (even on electronic returns), a math error, or a mismatch between your name and Social Security number.

If you do not see a rejection notice and it has been more than a week, call the department at 573-751-3505. They can tell you whether your return was received and, if it was, why it has not been accepted yet.

If you filed a paper return by mail

Paper returns take longer to process because the department has to receive them, open them, scan them, and enter the information into their system before processing begins. This usually takes two to three weeks from the date you mailed the return.

Once the department receives and scans your return, it will appear in the Where's My Refund? tool. At that point, you can track it the same way you would an electronic return. If your return has been in the mail for more than three weeks and does not appear in the tool, call the department at 573-751-3505 to confirm they received it.

If you are concerned about a paper return getting lost, you can mail it using certified mail with a return receipt. This gives you proof that the department received it. Keep the receipt in case you need to prove you filed on time.

What the Where's My Refund? tool status messages mean

Return received: The department has your return but has not started processing it yet. This is normal for new returns.

Return accepted: The department has reviewed your return and found no errors. Processing is underway.

Refund approved: Your return has been fully processed and your refund has been approved. If you chose direct deposit, the money should arrive within three to five business days. If you chose a mailed check, it should arrive within seven to ten business days.

Refund sent: Your refund has been sent. For direct deposit, this means the money has been transferred to your bank. For a mailed check, this means the check has been mailed to your address.

If the tool shows a status other than these four, or if it shows an error message, contact the department at 573-751-3505.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status without my exact refund amount?

No. The Where's My Refund? tool requires your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. If you do not have the amount, look at your tax return (line 15 of Form MO-1040) or the confirmation email from your tax software. If you cannot find it, call the department at 573-751-3505 and they can tell you what it is.

What if the tool says my refund was sent but I have not received it?

If you chose direct deposit, check your bank account — the money may have arrived but you did not notice. If you chose a mailed check, wait up to ten business days from the date the tool said it was sent. If you still have not received it after that, call the department at 573-751-3505 to request a replacement check or to verify the address they mailed it to.

Can I change my refund to direct deposit if I already chose a mailed check?

No. Once you file your return, you cannot change the refund method. If your return has not been processed yet, you can file an amended return (Form MO-1040-X) requesting direct deposit instead, but this will delay your refund. If your return has already been processed, you will receive a check and cannot change it.

What if my refund was supposed to arrive but the tool still shows it as approved?

The tool may not update when ready after your refund is sent. Wait one business day and check again. If the tool still shows approved after two business days, or if you have been waiting longer than the expected timeframe (three to five days for direct deposit, seven to ten days for a check), call the department at 573-751-3505.

Do I have to file a paper return if I do not have internet access?

You can file by mail, but you can also use a free tax preparation service. The Missouri Department of Revenue partners with organizations that offer free tax filing help in person. You can find a location near you by calling 211 or visiting the department's website. These services have internet access and can file your return electronically, which is faster than mailing a paper return.