Where to check your Virginia refund
The Virginia Department of Taxation runs a refund tracker on their website that tells you whether your return has been received, is being processed, or has been issued. You do not need to create an account — you enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount you expect, and the system shows you the current status.
The tracker is at tax.virginia.gov under "Check Your Refund Status" or "Where's My Refund." It updates once a day, usually overnight. If your return was filed electronically, the tracker typically shows activity within 24 hours of submission. If you mailed a paper return, allow 2 to 3 weeks before the department enters it into the system.
You can also call the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your Social Security number and expected refund amount ready. Wait times are usually shorter early in the filing season and longer in March and April.
Key Takeaways
- The Virginia Department of Taxation refund tracker at tax.virginia.gov shows your refund status without requiring a login, using only your Social Security number and expected refund amount.
- Electronic returns appear in the tracker within 24 hours of submission; paper returns take 2 to 3 weeks to enter the system.
- The tracker updates once daily overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day will show the same information.
- If you filed jointly, use the Social Security number of the person listed first on the return to check status.
- Refunds issued by check arrive within 4 to 6 weeks of the status showing "issued"; direct deposit refunds typically arrive within 3 to 5 business days.
What the refund tracker status messages mean
The tracker shows one of several statuses. "Return received" means the department has your return but has not started processing it — this is normal for the first few days after filing. "Being processed" means the department is reviewing your return for accuracy and checking it against wage and income records. "Issued" means your refund has been approved and sent to you by check or direct deposit.
If the tracker shows "Return received" for more than two weeks after you filed electronically, or more than a month after you mailed a paper return, contact the department. The return may have been damaged in the mail, or there may be a discrepancy that requires clarification.
"Pending" or "Under review" means the department has flagged something on your return — a missing form, a math error, or a mismatch between what you reported and what employers or financial institutions reported to the state. You will receive a letter explaining what is needed. Do not ignore it; the department cannot issue your refund until you respond.
How refunds are sent and when they arrive
Virginia offers two ways to receive your refund: direct deposit to a bank account or a mailed check. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable. If you chose direct deposit on your return, the refund typically arrives within 3 to 5 business days after the tracker shows "issued." If you chose a check, allow 4 to 6 weeks from the "issued" date, depending on mail delivery.
The tracker does not tell you which method you selected — you have to remember what you chose on your return. If you are unsure, check a copy of the return you filed. The method is listed on the first page.
If your refund was supposed to arrive and did not, wait the full timeframe before contacting the department. Direct deposit delays sometimes happen if your bank account information was entered incorrectly on the return. Checks are occasionally lost in the mail. The department can reissue a refund, but they will ask you to wait at least 60 days from the "issued" date before doing so.
What to do if your refund is delayed or missing
If the tracker still shows "Being processed" after 6 weeks for an electronic return or 8 weeks for a paper return, call the department at 804-367-8031. Have your return in front of you. The representative can see notes about why processing is taking longer and may be able to tell you what is holding it up.
Common reasons for delays include a mismatch between the income you reported and what your employer reported to the state, a missing signature or form, or a refund offset — meaning the state is withholding your refund to pay a debt you owe (back taxes, child support, or a court judgment). If an offset is the reason, the department will have sent you a notice in the mail. Read it carefully; it explains your right to request a hearing.
If your refund shows "issued" but you have not received it after the expected timeframe, the department can place a trace on it. This takes 30 to 60 days. If the trace shows the refund was sent but not received, the department will reissue it. If the trace shows it was never sent, the department will investigate why the status changed without the refund being mailed.
If you filed jointly and only one spouse received their portion
Joint returns sometimes result in one refund split between two accounts or sent as one check. If you and your spouse filed jointly and the refund went to only one person's account, contact the department with both Social Security numbers and the date the refund was issued. The department can confirm whether the full refund was sent or whether it was split.
If the full refund was sent to one account, you and your spouse will need to work out how to divide it between yourselves — the department does not handle that. If the refund was supposed to be split and was not, the department can reissue the missing portion to the correct account.
Refunds and amended returns
If you filed an amended Virginia return (Form 760-A) after your original return, the refund tracker will show the status of the amended return, not the original. Amended returns take longer to process — usually 8 to 12 weeks. The tracker will update to show the amended return's status once the department receives and enters it.
Do not file an amended return unless you made an error on your original return. If you straightforward want to change your refund method from check to direct deposit, or update your address, call the department instead. They can make those changes without requiring you to file an amended return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund status if I filed with a tax preparer or accountant?
Yes. The tracker works the same way regardless of who prepared your return. You will need your Social Security number and the exact refund amount shown on your return. If you do not have a copy of the return, contact your preparer and ask them to provide the refund amount.
What if the tracker says my refund was issued but I never got it?
Wait the full timeframe first — 3 to 5 business days for direct deposit, 4 to 6 weeks for a check. If it still has not arrived, call 804-367-8031 with your Social Security number and the date the tracker showed "issued." The department can place a trace and determine whether the refund was sent and lost, or whether there was an error in sending it.
Do I need to do anything if the tracker shows my return is under review?
The department will send you a letter explaining what they need. Wait for that letter before contacting them. If you do not receive a letter within 2 weeks of the status changing to "under review," call the department. Do not assume the letter was lost — follow up.
Can I change my refund method after I file?
No. Once you file, the refund method you selected on your return is locked in. If you filed for a check but now want direct deposit, or vice versa, you cannot change it through the tracker. You would need to file an amended return, which delays your refund by several weeks. It is usually better to accept the refund as filed and update your method for next year.
What if I owe Virginia taxes and also have a refund coming?
The state will offset your refund against what you owe. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining this. The notice tells you how much was withheld and how to request a hearing if you believe the offset was wrong. The tracker will show "issued" but the refund will go to the state instead of to you.