How to check your Detroit tax refund online
The City of Detroit processes tax refunds through its Department of Finance, and you can check the status of yours on the city's website without calling or visiting an office. Go to detroitmi.gov/refund and enter your Social Security number and the tax year you're asking about. The system will show you whether your refund has been processed, approved, or sent out.
If the system shows your refund as "processed" or "approved," it means the city has finished reviewing your return and the money is either in the mail or already deposited. If it shows "pending," the city is still working through your return — this can take anywhere from two weeks to two months depending on how busy the department is and whether your return needs additional review.
The online tool updates once a day, usually overnight, so check back the next morning if you just submitted your return. If you cannot find your refund in the system at all, it may not have been received yet, or you may need to file a return first.
Key Takeaways
- Check your Detroit tax refund status at detroitmi.gov/refund using your Social Security number and tax year.
- Refunds typically arrive within two to eight weeks of approval, depending on whether you chose direct deposit or a mailed check.
- If your refund shows as pending, the city is still reviewing your return and you should check back in one to two weeks.
- Contact the Detroit Department of Finance at 313-628-2451 if your refund has been approved for more than eight weeks and you have not received it.
How long Detroit tax refunds take to arrive
Once the city approves your refund, the time it takes to reach you depends on your delivery method. If you chose direct deposit when you filed, the money typically lands in your bank account within three to five business days after approval. If you chose a mailed check, allow an additional five to seven business days for postal delivery after the city sends it out.
The approval itself — the step before money moves — usually takes two to four weeks if your return is straightforward. Returns with missing documents, math errors, or income that does not match what the city has on file take longer, sometimes six to eight weeks. You can see which stage yours is in by checking the online status tool.
Weekends and holidays do not count toward these timelines. If you filed in late April or early May, expect the longer end of the range because the department is processing the highest volume then.
What to do if your refund status shows nothing
If you search for your refund and the system returns no results, one of three things is happening: the city has not received your return yet, you filed under a different Social Security number than you are searching with, or you have not filed a Detroit tax return for that year.
First, check that you are entering your Social Security number correctly — leading zeros matter, and the system is case-sensitive for some fields. If you are certain the number is right, wait three to five business days after you filed and search again. The city's system does not update instantly.
If you filed more than five business days ago and still see nothing, call the Detroit Department of Finance at 313-628-2451 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Have your Social Security number, the tax year, and the date you filed ready. They can tell you whether the return arrived and where it is in the queue.
Refunds that are delayed or missing
If the online tool shows your refund as approved but you have not received it after the expected timeframe — more than eight weeks for a mailed check, more than one week for direct deposit — contact the city directly. Call 313-628-2451 and explain that your refund was approved on [date] but has not arrived. Have your refund approval notice or a screenshot of the online status ready.
The department can check whether the check was mailed and to which address, or whether the direct deposit was sent to the bank account you provided. If the check was mailed and you did not receive it, they can issue a replacement. If direct deposit failed because the account information was wrong, they will need corrected banking details before they can resend it.
Replacement checks typically take two to three weeks to arrive by mail. If you need the money faster, ask whether the city can issue a direct deposit instead — this is sometimes possible even if you originally requested a check.
Why your Detroit refund might be held up
The most common reason for a delay is a mismatch between what you reported on your return and what the city's records show. This usually means your W-2 or 1099 income does not match what you entered, or you reported a dependent the city cannot verify. The department will send you a letter asking for proof — usually a copy of the document in question.
Another frequent cause is a missing or illegible signature on your return, or a return filed without the required schedules or attachments. If this is the issue, the city will contact you by mail. Respond as quickly as you can with the missing piece; once they receive it, processing usually resumes within one to two weeks.
If you owe money to the city — back property taxes, parking tickets, or other debts — the refund may be held and applied to what you owe instead. The city will notify you in writing if this happens. You can dispute the offset by calling 313-628-2451, but you will need documentation showing the debt was paid or is not yours.
Direct deposit versus mailed checks
When you filed your Detroit return, you chose how to receive your refund. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable — money arrives in three to five business days after approval and goes straight to your bank account. Mailed checks take longer because they have to be printed, processed, and delivered by the postal service, usually five to seven business days after the city sends them.
If you chose direct deposit but the money did not arrive, the most common problem is an incorrect account number or routing number on your return. Call 313-628-2451 with your correct banking information and ask them to reissue the refund by check instead — this is usually faster than trying to correct the account details and resend the deposit.
If you chose a mailed check and it has been more than two weeks since approval, the check may have been lost in the mail. The city can issue a replacement, but you will need to wait another two to three weeks for it to arrive. Ask about direct deposit as an alternative when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Detroit refund faster if I call the city?
Calling does not speed up processing, but it can help if your refund is stuck or missing. The department can tell you exactly where your return is in the queue and whether any documents are needed. If your refund is approved but has not arrived, they can investigate whether the check was lost or the direct deposit failed.
What if I moved and the city mailed my check to my old address?
Contact the Detroit Department of Finance at 313-628-2451 and tell them your refund was mailed to an old address. They can issue a replacement check to your current address. You may also be able to file a mail forwarding request with the postal service, though this does not always work for checks.
Do I need to file a Detroit tax return if I live outside the city?
No. Detroit only taxes residents and people who work within city limits. If you lived outside Detroit for the entire tax year and did not work there, you do not owe Detroit tax and do not need to file. If you filed by mistake, you can contact the city to request a refund of what you paid.
How do I know if my Detroit return was actually received?
The online status tool at detroitmi.gov/refund will show your return once it has been received and entered into the system. This usually takes three to five business days after you file. If you filed by mail, allow an extra week for postal delivery before checking. If you filed electronically and still see nothing after five business days, call 313-628-2451.
Can the city take my refund to pay a debt I owe?
Yes. If you owe Detroit money — back taxes, parking tickets, water bills, or other city debts — the refund can be held and applied to what you owe. The city will send you a letter explaining the offset. You can dispute it if you believe the debt is not yours or has already been paid, but you will need documentation.