So, you received your federal tax return for the year, but you’re still waiting on your state refund.
It can take anywhere from a day (e-file) to more than 15 weeks (paper) to get a state refund, depending on what state you live in. Please refer to the table below to find your state’s refund timeframe.
How Long Will It Take To Get My State Tax Refund?
While there are a few exceptions, most states have state income taxes. If you are looking for information about your state income tax refund, use the chart below. It gives the average time it takes to get your refund processed in each state.
Also, if you click on the state’s name, you’ll find more detailed information about the state’s tax refund policies and timeframes. You’ll also find links to your state’s department of revenue web page and automated phone number. Those will be the best options to check the status of your refund.
For most states, you’ll need your social security number, the tax year and your expected refund amount to check your state refund status.
Chart of State Tax Refund Timelines
| State | Refund Timeframe |
| Alabama | Up to 8 to 12 weeks |
| Arizona | Up to 10 days e-file, 12 weeks paper |
| Arkansas | Up to 10 days e-file, 8 weeks paper |
| California | Up to 2 weeks e-file, 4 weeks paper |
| Colorado | Up to 60 days (fraud prevention creating delays) |
| Connecticut | Up to 4 days e-file, 10-12 weeks paper |
| Delaware | Up to 4 to 12 weeks |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) | Up to 14 days e-file, 6 weeks paper |
| Georgia | Up to 90 days |
| Hawaii | Up to 12 weeks e-file, 14 weeks paper |
| Idaho | Up to 8 weeks e-file, 11 weeks paper |
| Illinois | Up to 10 weeks e-file, 15 weeks paper |
| Indiana | Up to 3 weeks e-file, 12 weeks paper |
| Iowa | Up to 30-45 days |
| Kansas | Up to 14 days e-file, 20 weeks paper |
| Kentucky | Up to 3 weeks e-file, 12 weeks paper |
| Louisiana | Up to 60 days e-file, 14 weeks paper |
| Maine | Up to 21 days e-file, “longer” for paper |
| Maryland | “Usually” same day e-file, 30 days paper |
| Massachusetts | Up to 6 weeks e-file, 10 weeks paper |
| Michigan | Up to 4 weeks e-file, 8 weeks paper |
| Minnesota | Up to 72 hours e-file, 6 weeks paper |
| Mississippi | Up to 10 weeks |
| Missouri | Up to 45 days |
| Montana | Up to 90 days |
| Nebraska | Up to 30 days e-file, 90 days paper |
| New Jersey | Up to 4 weeks e-file, 15 weeks paper |
| New Mexico | Up to 8 weeks e-file, 12 weeks paper |
| New York | Up to 14 days e-file, 8 weeks paper |
| North Carolina | Up to 6 weeks e-file, 12 weeks paper |
| North Dakota | Updated daily, sign up for email/text alerts |
| Ohio | Up to 15 days e-file, 10 weeks paper |
| Oklahoma | Up to 4 days e-file, 3 weeks paper |
| Oregon | Up to 10 days e-file, 12 weeks paper |
| Pennsylvania | Up to 10 weeks |
| Rhode Island | Up to 6 weeks |
| South Carolina | Up to 8 weeks |
| Tennessee | No state income tax |
| Utah | Up to 120 days |
| Vermont | Up to 8 weeks e-file, 12 weeks paper |
| Virginia | Up to 72 hours e-file, 4 weeks paper |
| West Virginia | Up to 12 weeks |
| Wisconsin | Up to 3 weeks e-file, 12 weeks paper |
If you’ve been waiting longer than the time noted above, visit your state’s tax website and follow the instructions to check on the status of your state refund.
Main Causes of a Delay In Your State Tax Refund
Although each state handles things a little differently, there are some common things that can delay your state tax refund. The main ones are:
- If you file a paper return, it can greatly slow down the processing of your refund vs. filing electronically. To get your refund as soon as possible, you’ll want to file your state income tax return online.
- Similarly, if you get your refund checked mailed to you, it will take longer to get your refund vs. if you choose direct deposit.
- Any errors, incomplete information, adjustments, etc. on your return will usually cause delays.
- Errors in your direct deposit information can cause issues that can delay things weeks or months. Be sure to double (if not triple!) check your banking information.
- Complex returns that have multiple forms also tend to take longer to process.
- Filing your return too late or too early
Also keep in mind that new state fraud prevention measures are leading to delays in some states.
Good luck!
