Where to check the status of your amended return refund
The Illinois Department of Revenue tracks amended returns separately from original returns. You can check the status of your refund through the department's online system or by phone.
Go to tax.illinois.gov and look for the "Where's My Refund?" tool. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your amended return. The system will show you whether the department has received your amended return, is processing it, or has issued your refund. This tool updates once per day, usually overnight.
If you prefer to call, the Illinois Department of Revenue refund line is 217-782-3336. Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready. Wait times are shortest on Tuesday through Thursday mornings. The department does not have access to your amended return status through this line as quickly as the online tool does, so the website is usually faster.
Key Takeaways
- Check your amended return status at tax.illinois.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool with your Social Security number and refund amount.
- Amended returns take longer to process than original returns — typically 8 to 12 weeks from the date the department receives your Form IL-1040-X.
- The department processes amended returns in the order they arrive, so filing early does not speed up your refund once it is received.
- If your refund does not arrive within 12 weeks of submission, contact the department by phone or mail to request a trace.
How long amended returns take to process
Illinois amended returns move through the system more slowly than original returns because they require manual review. The department cannot process them through automated systems the way it handles original filings.
From the date the Illinois Department of Revenue receives your amended return (Form IL-1040-X), expect processing to take 8 to 12 weeks. This timeline assumes your return is complete and contains no errors. If the department finds a problem — a missing signature, a math error, or a mismatch with federal records — it will mail you a notice asking for correction, which adds another 4 to 6 weeks to the timeline.
The department processes amended returns in the order they arrive, not by filing date. If you mailed your amended return on April 15 but the department did not receive it until May 10, the processing clock starts on May 10. Mail delays are common, especially during tax season, so consider the postal service's delivery time when you estimate when your refund should arrive.
What to do if your refund is delayed beyond 12 weeks
If you submitted your amended return more than 12 weeks ago and the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows no status update, or if the tool says your refund was issued but you have not received it, contact the department to request a trace.
Call 217-782-3336 and ask for a refund trace. You will need your Social Security number, the tax year of the amended return, and the refund amount. The department will search its records to confirm whether the refund was issued and, if so, when and to which account or address. If the refund was issued to a bank account (direct deposit), the department can tell you the routing number and account number it sent the payment to — you can then contact your bank to see if the deposit arrived and was rejected or held.
If the trace shows your refund was issued but never arrived, the department can issue a replacement check. This process takes an additional 4 to 6 weeks. If the trace shows the refund was never issued, the department will investigate why and contact you with next steps.
Direct deposit versus check delivery
How your refund arrives depends on how you requested it on your amended return. If you chose direct deposit on Form IL-1040-X, the refund goes to the bank account you listed. If you chose a check, the Illinois Department of Revenue mails it to the address on your return.
Direct deposit refunds typically arrive 3 to 5 business days after the department issues them. Check refunds take 7 to 14 business days to arrive by mail, depending on postal service speed and your location. The "Where's My Refund?" tool will tell you the date the refund was issued, but not the exact date it will arrive in your account or mailbox.
If you chose direct deposit and the refund does not appear in your account within a week of the issue date shown in the tool, contact your bank. Provide the bank with the issue date and the refund amount. The bank can search its records to see if the deposit was rejected (often because the account number or routing number changed) or if it is still in processing.
Amended returns filed by mail versus electronically
Illinois allows amended returns to be filed by mail only — the state does not accept electronic filing of amended returns through tax software or the IRS e-file system. This means every amended return goes through manual processing at the department's office.
Mail your amended return to Illinois Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 19044, Springfield, IL 62794-9044. Include Form IL-1040-X, all supporting schedules, and a copy of your federal amended return (Form 1040-X). Use certified mail with return receipt if you want proof of delivery, though it is not required.
The department receives mail at its Springfield office, which processes it in batches. During tax season (January through June), mail can take 2 to 3 weeks to reach the processing queue after arrival. This delay is separate from the 8 to 12 weeks of actual processing time, so plan accordingly when you estimate your refund date.
What happens if the IRS changed your federal return
If you filed an amended return with Illinois but the IRS later changed your federal return (through an audit, a correction notice, or a federal amended return you filed after your state return), your Illinois refund may be affected.
The Illinois Department of Revenue receives federal change notices from the IRS and cross-references them against state returns. If the IRS changed your income, deductions, or credits, Illinois will recalculate your state refund based on the new federal numbers. This recalculation can reduce your refund, increase it, or eliminate it entirely.
If this happens, the department will mail you a notice explaining the change and the new refund amount. This notice arrives separately from your refund and may take several weeks to reach you. If you disagree with the recalculation, you can file a protest with the Illinois Department of Revenue within 60 days of the notice date. The protest process is separate from the refund process and can take several months to resolve.
Amended returns and payment plans
If your amended return shows that you owe money instead of receiving a refund, you can request a payment plan through the Illinois Department of Revenue. This does not affect the processing time for your amended return, but it does change how you settle the debt.
Contact the department at 217-782-3336 to set up a payment plan. You can pay in monthly installments, and the department will work with you on the amount based on your ability to pay. Interest and penalties continue to accrue while you pay, so paying in full as soon as possible saves money. If you do not set up a plan and do not pay the amount due, the department can place a lien on your property or garnish your wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my amended return status if I filed it electronically with the IRS but not with Illinois?
No. Illinois does not accept electronic amended returns, so you must file Form IL-1040-X by mail. The IRS e-file system cannot transmit your amended return to Illinois. You need to mail a separate amended return to the Illinois Department of Revenue at P.O. Box 19044, Springfield, IL 62794-9044.
What if I filed my amended return but never received a confirmation?
The Illinois Department of Revenue does not send confirmation receipts for mailed amended returns. If you mailed your return using certified mail with return receipt, the postal service receipt proves delivery to the department's office. If you did not use certified mail, call 217-782-3336 and provide your Social Security number and the tax year — the department can tell you whether your amended return is in its system.
Does my amended return refund get offset for child support or student loans?
Yes. Illinois can offset your refund to pay past-due child support, spousal support, or certain federal student loans. If your refund is offset, the department will mail you a notice explaining which debt was collected and how much was taken. You can dispute the offset by contacting the agency that holds the debt (the Illinois Department of Human Services for child support, or the U.S. Department of Education for federal student loans).
How do I know if my amended return was received by the department?
Use the "Where's My Refund?" tool at tax.illinois.gov. If your amended return is in the system, the tool will show a status. If the tool shows no results after three weeks of mailing, call 217-782-3336 to confirm receipt. If the department did not receive it, you may need to refile.
Can I amend my amended return if I made a mistake?
Yes, but only by filing another amended return (a second Form IL-1040-X). You cannot withdraw or cancel an amended return once it is submitted. File the second amended return the same way you filed the first — by mail to the Springfield address — and reference the prior amended return in your cover letter so the department processes them together.