How to check the status of your Virginia refund
The Virginia Department of Taxation runs a refund tracker on its website. Go to tax.virginia.gov, find the "Where's My Refund?" tool, and enter your Social Security number and the refund amount you expect. The tool will tell you whether your return is still being processed, approved but not yet sent, or already issued.
If you filed electronically, the tool updates every 24 hours. If you mailed a paper return, Virginia takes longer to scan and process it — typically four to six weeks from the date they receive it, not from the date you mailed it. The tool will show you the status once your return enters the system.
You can also call the Virginia Department of Taxation refund line at 804-367-8031. Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready. Wait times are longest in March and April, so calling in May or later usually means a shorter hold.
Key Takeaways
- The Virginia Department of Taxation's "Where's My Refund?" tool on tax.virginia.gov is the fastest way to check your refund status without waiting on the phone.
- Electronic returns are processed faster than paper returns — typically within two to three weeks if there are no issues, versus four to six weeks for mailed forms.
- The refund tracker updates every 24 hours and will show you whether your return is being processed, approved, or already sent to your bank or address.
- If the tracker shows your refund was issued but you have not received it, contact your bank first to confirm it did not arrive as a deposit, then call the Department of Taxation.
Why your refund might be delayed
Virginia holds returns for review if there are math errors, missing information, or inconsistencies between your Virginia return and your federal return. If the IRS made changes to your federal return after you filed Virginia, Virginia will recalculate your state refund and may owe you more or less than you originally expected. This process adds two to four weeks.
Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child and Dependent Care Credit take longer because Virginia matches those claims against federal records. If you claimed either credit, expect processing to take four to six weeks even if there are no problems.
Paper returns filed with a check or money order take longer than electronic returns because Virginia's mail room has to open, scan, and enter each one by hand. If you mailed your return, the four-to-six-week timeline starts when Virginia receives it, not when you mailed it. Delivery delays mean your return may sit in the mail for a week or more before Virginia even opens it.
What to do if the tracker shows your refund was issued but you have not received it
First, check your bank account and your spam folder if you received an email notification. Refunds sent by direct deposit usually arrive within one to three business days of the issue date shown in the tracker, but delays at your bank can add a few more days. If you see a pending deposit in your account, wait for it to clear.
If the tracker says your refund was issued more than a week ago and you still do not see it, call your bank's customer service line and give them the issue date from the tracker. Ask whether the deposit arrived and was rejected, or whether it is still in process. Banks can see incoming transfers that have not yet posted.
If your bank confirms the deposit never arrived, or if your refund was supposed to be mailed as a check and you have not received it, call the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031. Have the issue date from the tracker ready. The department can investigate whether the refund was sent to the wrong account or address, or whether it was lost in the mail.
How long Virginia refunds typically take
Processing time depends on how you filed and whether your return needs review. Electronic returns with no issues move through in two to three weeks, while paper returns take four to six weeks because Virginia's staff must manually scan and enter them. The clock starts when Virginia receives your return, not when you mailed or filed it.
If Virginia holds your return for review — because of math errors, missing information, or inconsistencies with your federal return — add two to four weeks to the timeline. Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or child care credits are automatically held for verification against federal records, so expect four to six weeks minimum for those.
| Return type | Processing time | When the clock starts |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic return, no issues | 2–3 weeks | When Virginia receives your return |
| Electronic return, held for review | 4–6 weeks | When Virginia receives your return |
| Paper return, no issues | 4–6 weeks | When Virginia receives your return |
| Paper return, held for review | 6–8 weeks | When Virginia receives your return |
| Return with EITC or child care credit | 4–6 weeks | When Virginia receives your return |
If you filed jointly and only one spouse received a refund
Virginia sometimes splits refunds between spouses if one owes a debt to the state — child support, student loan default, or unpaid taxes. The spouse who does not owe receives their portion of the refund on schedule. The spouse who owes will see their portion held or sent to the creditor agency instead.
Check the "Where's My Refund?" tracker using each spouse's Social Security number separately. If one shows a refund issued and the other shows nothing, call the Department of Taxation to find out whether a debt hold is in place. The department can tell you which agency is holding the funds and what you need to do to resolve it.
Contacting the Virginia Department of Taxation
The refund line is 804-367-8031. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number, the refund amount, and the date you filed ready. If you filed electronically, also have your filing confirmation number if you can find it.
If you cannot reach anyone by phone, you can mail a written inquiry to the Virginia Department of Taxation, P.O. Box 1880, Richmond, VA 23218. Include your name, Social Security number, the tax year, and a description of your question. Responses by mail take two to three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my refund was sent to the wrong bank account?
The "Where's My Refund?" tracker will show the last four digits of the account where your refund was sent. If those digits do not match your current account, call the Department of Taxation when ready. They can sometimes stop the deposit if it has not cleared yet, but if it has already posted to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank to retrieve it.
Can I get my refund faster if I call instead of using the online tracker?
No. Calling the Department of Taxation tells you the same information the online tracker shows, but it does not speed up processing. The tracker is faster because you do not wait on hold. Call only if the tracker is not working or if your refund was issued but you have not received it.
What if I moved after I filed and the check was sent to my old address?
Contact the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 and tell them your new address. If the check has not been cashed, they can issue a replacement to your current address. If the check was already cashed by someone else, you will need to file a claim with the department and may need to involve law enforcement.
Does Virginia refund money if the IRS gave me more than I expected?
Only if your Virginia return was based on your original federal return. If the IRS increased your federal refund after you filed Virginia, Virginia will recalculate your state refund based on the new federal amount. You may owe Virginia money, or Virginia may owe you more. The department will send you a corrected notice and refund or bill accordingly.
How long does it take to get a refund if I amend my Virginia return?
Amended returns take six to eight weeks to process because they require manual review. File an amended return only if you made an error on your original return — do not file an amended return just to check the status of your original refund.