How to check the status of your state tax return

Q: How long does it take the state to process a tax return?

This isnt always the case, but it often is. Generally, you can expect to receive your state tax refund within 30 days if you filed your tax return electronically. If you filed a paper tax return, it may take as many as 12 weeks for your refund to arrive.

Q: Why did I get my federal refund but not state?

Because the IRS is separate from your states Department of Revenue, sometimes you will receive your federal refund before your state refund, or vice versa.

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Table of Contents Show

Refund Delays Expected
Choose how you will receive your refund
After you have filed your return
Check your refund status
Answers to common refund questions
How do I track my state and local tax return?
How long does it take the state to process a tax return?
Why did I get my federal refund but not state?
How long does Illinois state tax refund take 2022?

Refund Delays Expected

The North Carolina Department of Revenue has issued more than 2 million refunds and most refunds were issued by the end of May. We are continuing to work diligently to process the remaining filed tax returns, including those being reviewed as part of our refund fraud and identity theft measures which may lead to a request for additional documentation from the taxpayer. We appreciate the continued patience of North Carolina taxpayers.

Looking for 2022 SC Rebate information?
Eligible taxpayers can track the status of their rebate and learn more by visiting our dor.sc.gov/rebate-2022 page.

Choose how you will receive your refund

We offer three options for receiving your Individual Income Tax refund: direct deposit, debit card, and paper check. We recommend choosing direct deposit.


	Your refund goes directly into your bank account. You don’t have to wait on the mail, activate a debit card, or take time to cash a paper check.
	You don’t have to worry about a paper check or debit card getting lost in the mail or stolen.
	If you move during tax season, you can avoid the hassle of your paper check or debit card getting mailed to the wrong address.
	Direct deposit uses no paper, unlike printing and mailing checks and debit cards.
	Each paper check costs the state about $1 to process. Direct deposit transactions only cost about a dime each.

Your refund is mailed to you as a prepaid Visa debit card to the address listed on your Income Tax return.

Once you receive your debit card in the mail, you must activate your card by visiting bankofamerica.com/screfund or call 1-866-472-4959.

Your refund is mailed with a check to the address listed on your Income Tax return.

Once you receive your check in the mail, you must deposit the check into your bank account or cash it using a check-cashing service.

After you have filed your return

Most refunds from electronically-filed returns are issued 6-8 weeks after you file; paper returns may take longer. It's also important to note:

Refunds from amended returns are issued at least 12 weeks from the date you filed the amended return.
If you chose a paper check or debit card refund, remember to allow additional time to receive your refund in the mail.

If you've already filed your return, you can't change your refund option this year, but you can always update your choice next time you file.

Check your refund status

If you've already filed, check your refund status using our Where's My Refund? tool, which is available 24/7 and provides the same information as our customer service representatives.

If you filed electronically and received a confirmation from your tax preparation software, we have received your return.

You can expect your refund to move through our review process within 6-8 weeks from February 7 or the date you filed (whichever is later), if you filed electronically; paper returns take longer. Amended returns take at least 12 weeks to complete the review process.

Status changes are posted nightly. Find out how long you can expect to be in each step of processing in the Refund Processing Timeline on this page.

If you filed by paper, it may take more time for your refund status to update.

To check your refund status, you will need:

Your Social Security Number or ITIN
Your exact refund amount

Our phone lines are busy this time of year, and our representatives have the same information as our Where's My Refund? tool. You really only need to call if:

Your refund status hasn’t changed in more than 8 weeks
Your refund status tells you to contact the SCDOR

Answers to common refund questions

What could slow down your refund?

What do we review?

How is the SCDOR protecting taxpayers?

How quickly will you get your refund?

Will calling the SCDOR help you get your refund faster?

Will the Where's My Refund tool tell you when you will receive your refund?

Why am I being asked to verify my withholding?

Why is my refund different than the amount on the tax return I filed?

Click timeline to see a bigger view.

How do I track my state and local tax return?

Here are some other places you might find the amount of last year's state/local refund: Last year's state tax return. Your bank statement showing your entire state/locality refund. Your state tax agency (for state refunds) or municipality (for local refunds)

How long does it take the state to process a tax return?

This isn't always the case, but it often is. Generally, you can expect to receive your state tax refund within 30 days if you filed your tax return electronically. If you filed a paper tax return, it may take as many as 12 weeks for your refund to arrive.

Why did I get my federal refund but not state?

Because the IRS is separate from your state's Department of Revenue, sometimes you will receive your federal refund before your state refund, or vice versa.