Where to check your Washington state tax refund

Washington does not have a state income tax, so there is no state tax refund to track. If you are looking for a refund, it is most likely a federal tax refund from the IRS, or a refund from another Washington state program like unemployment insurance or working families tax credit.

The IRS operates a tool called "Where's My Refund?" that shows the status of your federal tax return. You can reach it at irs.gov/refunds. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return to check.

If you filed a return with Washington state for a different reason — such as claiming the Working Families Tax Credit or reporting unemployment income — the refund would come from the Department of Revenue, not the IRS. The steps to check that status are different and depend on which program issued the refund.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington has no state income tax, so state tax refunds do not exist.
  • Federal tax refunds are tracked through the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov/refunds, which requires your Social Security number and exact refund amount.
  • If your refund is from a Washington state program like unemployment or the Working Families Tax Credit, contact the Department of Revenue directly.
  • Refunds typically arrive within 21 days of the IRS approving your return, though some take longer if the return requires review.

How to use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool

Go to irs.gov/refunds and enter three pieces of information: your Social Security number, your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return. The tool will then show you one of three statuses: received, approved, or sent.

"Received" means the IRS has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. "Approved" means the IRS has processed your return and your refund is being prepared. "Sent" means the refund has left the IRS and is on its way to you — either by direct deposit to your bank account or by check in the mail.

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you check multiple times in the same day, you will see the same information. There is no benefit to checking more than once daily.

How long federal refunds take

If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, the IRS typically sends your refund within 21 days of approving your return. If you filed by mail or chose a paper check, add 7 to 10 business days for postal delivery after the IRS sends it.

Some returns take longer. If the IRS needs to review your return for errors, missing information, or fraud concerns, processing can take several weeks or months. The "Where's My Refund?" tool will show "pending" or "under review" if this is happening to your return.

If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, the IRS has a phone line at 1-800-829-1040 where you can speak to someone about the delay. Have your Social Security number and tax return handy.

Washington state refunds from unemployment or tax credits

If you received unemployment benefits in Washington and had taxes withheld, or if you claimed the Working Families Tax Credit, you may have filed a state return with the Washington Department of Revenue. Refunds from these programs are not tracked through the IRS.

To check the status of a Washington state refund, contact the Department of Revenue directly at 1-360-705-6705. You will need your Social Security number and the year of the return. The department can tell you whether your refund has been processed and when it was sent.

Refunds from the Department of Revenue typically arrive within 30 days of approval, though this varies depending on the program and the time of year.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If your refund does not arrive within the timeframe shown in "Where's My Refund?", first confirm that the status has changed to "sent". If it still shows "approved" or "under review" after the expected number of days, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Have ready: your Social Security number, the tax year, and the refund amount. The IRS can tell you whether the refund was actually sent, whether it was sent to the correct bank account or address, and whether there were any issues with your return that delayed processing.

If the refund was sent to a bank account that you no longer use, the bank may have returned it to the IRS. In that case, the IRS will reissue the refund by check, which takes an additional 4 to 6 weeks. You can update your bank account information on your next tax return to prevent this in the future.

Direct deposit versus check refunds

Direct deposit is faster and more reliable than a mailed check. If you chose direct deposit on your tax return, the IRS sends your refund electronically to your bank account, which usually takes 3 to 5 business days after the IRS sends it.

If you chose a paper check or did not specify a method, the IRS mails a check to the address on your return. Postal delivery adds 7 to 10 business days to the timeline. If you move before the check arrives, the post office may return it to the IRS, and you will have to wait for a reissued check.

On your next tax return, you can choose direct deposit by providing your bank account number and routing number. This is the fastest and safest way to receive a refund.

If you did not file a tax return

If you did not file a federal tax return but believe you are owed a refund, you will need to file one. This is common if you had taxes withheld from your paycheck but earned below the income threshold that requires filing.

You can file a federal return for free using IRS Free File at irs.gov/freefile, which is available to people who earned below a certain income threshold. You can also file by mail using a paper form, or work with a tax preparer.

Once you file, your return will go through the same review process, and you can track it using "Where's My Refund?" after about 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does "Where's My Refund?" say my refund was sent but I have not received it?

If direct deposit was chosen, the refund may still be in transit to your bank — this can take 3 to 5 business days after the IRS sends it. If a check was mailed, postal delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If more time has passed, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm the refund was sent to the correct account or address.

Can I get my refund faster than 21 days?

No. The IRS processes returns in the order they are received, and 21 days is the standard timeline for electronic returns with direct deposit. Returns filed by mail or those requiring review take longer. There is no way to expedite the process.

What if I made a mistake on my tax return?

If you filed electronically, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X once your original return has been processed. If you filed by mail, wait until your refund arrives, then file the amended return. Do not file an amended return before the original is approved, as this can delay both.

Does Washington state have its own income tax refund?

No. Washington does not have a state income tax. Any refund you receive is from the federal government (IRS) or from a specific Washington state program like unemployment insurance or the Working Families Tax Credit.

How do I know if my refund was sent to the wrong bank account?

If "Where's My Refund?" shows "sent" but the money never appears in your account after 5 business days, contact your bank first to confirm the account number on file. Then call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the refund amount to verify where it was sent.