Call the Missouri Department of Revenue for your refund status

The Missouri Department of Revenue handles state income tax refunds. You can reach them by phone at 573-751-3505 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Have your Social Security number and the amount of the refund you expect ready when you call — this helps them locate your return quickly.

If you filed electronically, your refund typically arrives within 21 days. If you filed on paper, allow 6 to 8 weeks. The department's phone lines can be busy during tax season (January through April), so calling early in the morning or later in the afternoon often means shorter wait times.

You do not need to call if you filed electronically and chose direct deposit — you can check your refund status online instead, which is usually faster than waiting on hold.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505 during business hours to speak with someone about your refund status.
  • Electronic refunds arrive within 21 days; paper returns take 6 to 8 weeks from the date the department receives them.
  • The online refund tracker at dor.mo.gov lets you check your status without calling if you filed electronically.
  • Have your Social Security number and expected refund amount ready before calling to speed up the process.

Check your refund status online before calling

The Missouri Department of Revenue website has a refund status tool that works 24 hours a day. Go to dor.mo.gov and look for "Where's My Refund?" or the refund tracker. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your return.

The online tool updates every few days, so checking once a week is enough. If the tool shows your refund is still being processed, calling the department may not give you more information — they use the same system. If the tool shows an error or says your refund cannot be found, that is when a phone call becomes useful.

What to have ready when you call

Before dialing, gather these documents: your tax return (the form you filed), your Social Security number, and the refund amount you claimed. If you filed jointly with a spouse, have both Social Security numbers available.

If there is a problem with your return — the department says it needs more information, for example — have any notices or letters from the Missouri Department of Revenue in front of you. Read the notice carefully first, because it often explains what is missing and what to do next. The person on the phone will ask you to reference the notice number, which appears at the top.

If your refund is delayed or missing

Refunds can be delayed for several reasons: the department is verifying income information, there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what employers reported, or your return was selected for review. The phone representative can tell you which applies to you and what happens next.

If you filed on paper and it has been more than 8 weeks, the department may not have received it yet. Ask the representative whether they have a record of your return. If they do not, you may need to file again or provide proof of mailing (like a certified mail receipt) to track down the original.

If your refund was supposed to arrive by direct deposit but did not show up in your bank account after 21 days, the department can investigate whether the deposit was sent. They will ask for your bank account number and routing number to confirm the information on your return matches what your bank has on file.

Refunds offset by government debt

Sometimes the Missouri Department of Revenue holds a refund because you owe money to another state agency or the federal government. This is called an offset. The department will tell you this when you call, and they can explain which agency is holding the money and how to resolve it.

Common reasons for offset include unpaid child support, outstanding student loans, or back taxes owed to the federal government. If this is the case, you will need to contact the agency that is holding the refund — the Missouri Department of Revenue representative can give you that agency's phone number.

What to do if you cannot reach the department by phone

During busy tax season, the phone lines fill up and you may not get through. Try calling before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Central Time, or call on a Wednesday or Thursday when call volume is typically lower.

You can also mail a written inquiry to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Taxation Division, P.O. Box 311, Jefferson City, MO 65105. Include your name, Social Security number, tax year, and a brief description of your question. Mail takes longer than a phone call, but it creates a paper record of your inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Missouri state tax refund?

If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the refund arrives within 21 days. Paper returns take 6 to 8 weeks from the date the department receives them. Refunds selected for review or with missing information take longer.

Can I check my refund status without calling?

Yes. Go to dor.mo.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. The online tool updates every few days and works 24 hours a day.

What if the department says they never received my paper return?

Ask the representative to search by your Social Security number and the tax year. If they find no record, you may need to file again. If you have proof of mailing (like a certified mail receipt), provide that to the department — they can sometimes locate the original return.

Why is my refund being held?

The department may be verifying income, checking for errors, or investigating a discrepancy between your return and employer reports. Less often, a refund is offset because you owe money to another state agency or the federal government. The phone representative will tell you which applies and what to do next.

Can I get my refund faster if I call instead of waiting?

Calling does not speed up processing. The department processes refunds in the order they receive them. Calling is useful only if there is a problem with your return or if your refund is missing after the normal timeframe has passed.