How to find 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 money back from Washington, it is most likely a sales tax refund, a Working Families Tax Credit, or a refund from another state.
The most common reason people search for a Washington refund is the Working Families Tax Credit — a payment Washington sends to lower-income workers. If you filed for this credit, you can check the status through the Department of Revenue website or by calling their customer service line.
If you filed taxes in another state before moving to Washington, or if you worked in another state during the year, that state's tax department will handle your refund. You would track it through that state's system, not Washington's.
Key Takeaways
- Washington has no state income tax, so you will not receive a state income tax refund.
- If you filed for the Working Families Tax Credit, you can check your status on the Department of Revenue website or by phone at 1-800-647-7706.
- If you worked in another state or filed taxes there, contact that state's tax department to track your refund.
- Sales tax refunds and other Washington refunds are handled by the Department of Revenue, which can tell you the status of any payment you are expecting.
Checking your Working Families Tax Credit status
The Working Families Tax Credit is Washington's main refund-like payment. It goes to workers who earn between roughly $16,000 and $60,000 per year (the exact range changes each year). You do not file a separate form — you claim it on your regular tax return, and Washington sends the money as a check or direct deposit.
To check the status, go to the Department of Revenue website at dor.wa.gov. Look for the "Check Your Refund Status" tool. You will need your Social Security number and the date of birth of the person who filed. The tool will tell you whether your payment has been processed, when it was sent, and how it was sent (check or direct deposit).
If you cannot find the tool online or prefer to speak with someone, call the Department of Revenue at 1-800-647-7706. They can look up your account and tell you exactly where your payment is in the process. Wait times are usually shorter in the morning or early afternoon.
What to do if you do not see your refund
If the Department of Revenue tool shows your payment was sent but you have not received it, the next step depends on how it was sent. If it was mailed as a check, allow two to three weeks from the date shown in the system. Checks sometimes take longer during busy tax seasons.
If your payment was supposed to go to your bank account by direct deposit and you do not see it, check that the account number you provided on your tax return is correct. Call the Department of Revenue and confirm the account details they have on file. If the account number was wrong, they can reissue the payment to the correct account, but this takes additional time.
If the system shows no payment has been sent at all, it may mean your return is still being reviewed. The Department of Revenue processes returns in the order they are received, and some take longer than others. Call them to find out whether your return needs additional information from you.
Refunds from other states
If you worked in another state during the tax year — or if you moved to Washington from another state and filed taxes there — you will track your refund through that state's tax department, not Washington's.
Each state has its own refund tracking system. Search online for "[State name] tax refund status" and you will find the tool. You will typically need your Social Security number and either the amount of your refund or the date you filed. Most states show the status within a few weeks of processing your return.
If you moved to Washington mid-year and worked in another state for part of the year, you may have filed a part-year return in that state. That state's tax department will handle the refund, even though you now live in Washington.
Sales tax refunds and other Washington payments
Washington also issues refunds for sales tax in certain situations — for example, if you bought something out of state and paid Washington sales tax by mistake, or if you are a business that overpaid. These refunds are also handled by the Department of Revenue.
If you believe you are owed a sales tax refund or another type of Washington refund, contact the Department of Revenue directly. They can search their records by your name and Social Security number. Have your documentation ready — a receipt, invoice, or proof of payment — so they can verify your claim.
How long refunds usually take
The Department of Revenue typically processes refunds within four to six weeks of receiving your return, though this varies depending on the time of year and whether your return needs additional review. During the peak tax season (February through April), processing can take longer.
Once your refund is approved, it takes an additional one to three weeks to reach you if it is mailed as a check. Direct deposits are usually faster — typically three to five business days after the Department of Revenue sends the payment to your bank.
If you filed electronically, your return is usually processed faster than a paper return. If you filed on paper, add one to two weeks to the timeline for the Department of Revenue to receive and scan your return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington have state income tax?
No. Washington has no state income tax, so you will not receive a state income tax refund. The state funds itself through sales tax and other sources. If you are expecting a refund from Washington, it is likely the Working Families Tax Credit or a refund related to sales tax or another specific situation.
What if I moved to Washington from another state mid-year?
You may need to file a part-year return in your previous state for the months you lived there, and a part-year return in Washington for the months you lived here. Each state will process its own return and send any refund to you. Contact both states' tax departments to confirm whether you need to file in both places.
Can I get my refund faster if I call the Department of Revenue?
Calling will not speed up processing, but it will tell you exactly where your refund is in the queue and whether anything is holding it up. If your return needs additional information from you, calling can help you provide it quickly so processing can continue.
What if the refund status tool says my payment was sent but I still have not received it after several weeks?
Call the Department of Revenue at 1-800-647-7706. If it was mailed as a check, they can issue a replacement. If it was direct deposited, they can verify the account number and reissue if needed. Have your Social Security number and the date the payment was supposedly sent ready when you call.
I worked in multiple states last year. How do I track refunds from all of them?
You will likely file a return in each state where you earned income. Each state processes its own return and sends its own refund. Search for each state's tax refund tracking tool online and check them separately. Keep records of when you filed in each state so you know when to expect each refund.