The IRS makes it pretty simple for anyone anywhere to track their federal tax refund. If you've got a state tex refund, however, that's a whole different question that's going to depend on where you live.
Federal and state taxes differ in a number of ways, from tax rates to deductions, You might have to pay in more than one state if, for example, you've relocated or you have a complicated employment setup. State taxes tend to be much lower than their federal counterparts and usually are processed at a different rate. But we know how it is: Money is money and if you're owed a state tax return you're probably just as interested in getting it as you are your federal one.
Based on the data out there so far, there's a good chance a lot of you have filed your taxes by now ahead of the looming April 15 deadline. According to IRS data released last week, just shy of 70 million federal returns have been filed so far this year. Most of those are likely to have a state return or two in tow. While we don't have a similar data point for state returns, the average 2024 federal tax refund has been 5.2% higher than it was in 2023.
All that's to emphasize the point: if you have a state tax refund in progress, you're probably eager to know when you'll get it. To help with the wait, we've compiled a list of places you can track yours depending on where you live. For all the info you'll need, keep reading, and for more, check out some federal refund myths recently debunked by the IRS. Also, check out CNET's list of the best tax filing software available in 2025.
Do state tax returns arrive sooner than federal tax returns?
Although you might hear some anecdotal examples about people receiving their federal tax refund earlier than their state ones, or vice versa, there's really no consistent trend to be found in which one will get to you first. Some states might process them faster than others, or perhaps your return might be a little more complicated and thus take more time to process.
As always when we talk about things like this, there's really only one thing you can do above all to speed up all of your tax returns and refunds: file electronically.
Where can I track my state tax returns?
Below is a complete list of sites that will allow you to track your state tax refund online, depending on which state you live in or where you've filed.
One thing to note: You'll find that Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming are not listed. Those states don't collect personal state income tax so there are no state returns or refunds.
Alabama's Department of Revenue has a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your Social Security number and the refund amount you're expecting to receive.
Arizona taxpayers can use this Check Refund Status online tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, filing status, ZIP code and the applicable tax year.
Arkansas' Taxpayer Access Point site offers a Check Refund Status tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and your expected refund amount.
California's Franchise Tax Board offers a Check Your 2024 Refund Status tool; you'll need your SSN, the numbers included in your mailing address, your ZIP code and your expected refund amount.
Colorado's Department of Revenue offers a Check Refund Status tool; you can either enter your SSN and expected refund amount, or enter the tax PIN you created.
Connecticut's Department of Revenue Services offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, the applicable tax year and your expected refund amount.
Delaware's Taxpayer Portal offers a Check Refund Status tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
Georgia's Tax Center is where you can track your refund; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, your expected refund amount and the applicable tax year.
Hawaii's Department of Taxation offers a Check Your Individual Tax Refund Status tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and your expected refund amount.
Idaho's State Tax Commission offers a Refund Status tracker tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
Illinois' Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tracker tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
Indiana's Intime service offers a refund tracking tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, the applicable tax year and your expected refund amount.
Iowa's Department of Revenue offers a Search for a Refund tracker tool; you'll need to enter the applicable tax year, your SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
Kansas' Department of Revenue offers a refund status tracking tool; you'll need to enter your SNN and expected refund amount.
Kentucky's Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
Louisiana's Department of Revenue offers a Taxpayer Access Point page where you can track your refund status; you'll need to enter your SSN, the applicable tax year, your filing status and your expected refund amount.
Maine's Revenue Service offers a Where's My Refund tracker tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, the applicable tax year and your expected refund amount.
Maryland's Comptroller office provides an online tracker tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
Massachusetts' Department of Revenue provides an online tracker tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, expected refund amount and the applicable tax year.
Michigan's Department of Treasury offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, last name, the applicable tax year, the adjusted gross income included on your return and your filing status.
Minnesota's Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, date of birth, the applicable tax year and your expected refund amount.
Mississippi's Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
Missouri's Department of Revenue offers a Return Tracker tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, filing status, expected refund amount and the applicable tax year.
Montana's Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
Nebraska's Department of Revenue offers a Tax Refund Status tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, filing status, expected refund amount and the applicable tax year.
New Hampshire doesn't collect an individual income tax, but it does collect state taxes on dividends and interest, from stock holdings and savings accounts, for example. We can't seem to find an online tool for tracking a refund from that sort of income but you can call the Department of Revenue at 1-603-230-5000 with any questions.
New Jersey's Division of Taxation offers a refund status online tracker; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
New Mexico's Taxation & Revenue department offers a refund status tracker; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN and your expected refund amount.
New York's Department of Taxation and Finance offers an Income Tax Refund Status page for your tracking needs; you'll need to enter the applicable tax year, your SSN, and which form you used to file.
North Carolina's Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
North Dakota's Office of State Tax Commissioner offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, filing status and expected refund amount.
Ohio's Department of Taxation offers a Check My Refund Status tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, expected refund amount and the applicable tax year, as well as specify that you're seeking an income tax return status.
Oklahoma's Tax Commission offers a Refund Search tracker tool; you'll need to enter your SSN, expected refund amount and ZIP code.
Oregon's Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
Pennsylvania's Department of Revenue offers an online refund tracking tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
Rhode Island's Division of Taxation offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter the applicable tax year, SSN and expected refund amount.
South Carolina's Department of Revenue offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
Utah's State Tax Commission offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
Vermont's Department of Taxes offers an online refund tracking tool; you'll need to enter your SSN or ITIN, last name and expected refund amount.
Virginia's Department of Taxation offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and your expected refund amount, as well as specify whether you filed on paper or electronically.
Washington, DC, which collects a "district income tax" because it isn't a state, offers an online tracking tool for the refund associated with it; you'll need to enter your SSN, the applicable tax year and your expected refund amount.
West Virginia's Tax Division offers a Where's My Refund tool; you'll need to enter your SSN and expected refund amount.
Wisconsin's Department Revenue offers an online refund tracking tool; you'll need to enter the applicable tax year, your SSN or ITIN, and your expected refund amount.
For more tax tips and help, find out if you're eligible to claim the child tax credit this year.
