Check your Maryland refund status through the Comptroller's website or by phone

The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (Comptroller's Office) runs the state tax refund system. You can check the status of your refund in three ways: online through their refund tracker, by phone, or by mail. The online tracker is fastest and shows real-time information about where your refund is in the process.

To use the online tracker, go to marylandtaxes.gov and look for the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool tells you whether your refund has been received, is being processed, has been approved, or has been sent out.

If you prefer to call, the Comptroller's Taxpayer Service Division answers refund questions at 410-260-7980 (Baltimore area) or 1-800-638-2937 (toll-free). Have your Social Security number and return information ready. Wait times are shortest early in the morning or mid-week.

Key Takeaways

  • The Maryland Comptroller's "Where's My Refund?" tool at marylandtaxes.gov shows your refund status in real time using your Social Security number and refund amount.
  • Maryland processes most individual income tax refunds within four to six weeks of receiving your return, though this varies by filing method and time of year.
  • If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, your refund typically arrives within two to three weeks after approval.
  • Paper checks take an additional two to three weeks after approval, so allow six to nine weeks total from filing date.
  • If your refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe, contact the Comptroller's office at 410-260-7980 or 1-800-638-2937 to investigate.

How long Maryland takes to process refunds

Processing time depends on how you filed and how you requested your refund. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, Maryland typically processes your refund within two to three weeks after the return is received and approved. If you filed a paper return or requested a paper check, add another two to three weeks for mailing and processing.

During tax season (January through April), processing can take longer because the Comptroller's office handles a high volume of returns. If you file in May or later, processing is usually faster. Returns filed after the April 15 deadline may be treated as amended returns, which can add time.

The Comptroller's office does not process refunds for federal taxes — only Maryland state income tax refunds. If you are waiting for a federal refund, you will need to check with the IRS separately using their "Where's My Refund?" tool.

What information you need to check your refund

To use the online tracker or call the Comptroller's office, have these items ready: your Social Security number (or the primary taxpayer's SSN if you filed jointly), your filing status from your return, and the exact refund amount shown on your tax return. If you do not have the refund amount memorized, look at your filed return or the confirmation email you received when you filed electronically.

If you filed jointly, either spouse can check the refund status using the primary taxpayer's Social Security number. The tool does not show information about the other spouse's return unless you use their SSN instead.

Direct deposit versus paper check delivery

Maryland offers two ways to receive your refund: direct deposit to your bank account or a paper check mailed to your address on file. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable — it typically arrives two to three weeks after approval. Paper checks take an additional two to three weeks after approval because they must be printed, signed, and mailed by the Comptroller's office.

You chose your delivery method when you filed your return. If you selected direct deposit, make sure the bank account and routing number you provided are correct. If there is an error in your banking information, the refund will be rejected and the Comptroller's office will mail a check instead, which adds several weeks.

If you filed a paper return and did not specify direct deposit, Maryland will mail a check to the address shown on your return. If you have moved since filing, contact the Comptroller's office to update your mailing address before your refund is sent.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If the online tracker shows your refund is still being processed after six weeks, or if it shows no information at all, contact the Comptroller's Taxpayer Service Division. Call 410-260-7980 (Baltimore area) or 1-800-638-2937 (toll-free). A representative can look up your specific return and tell you what stage it is in.

Common reasons for delays include math errors on the return, missing information (like a signature or Social Security number), or a mismatch between your return and IRS records. The Comptroller's office will contact you by mail if they need more information — check your mailbox regularly during the processing period.

If you filed electronically and your refund was rejected due to a banking error, the Comptroller's office will send a paper check instead. This adds two to three weeks to your timeline. You can update your banking information for future years, but the current refund will arrive by mail.

Tracking a refund filed on paper

Paper returns take longer to process than electronic returns because they must be manually entered into the system before processing begins. Allow an extra two to three weeks for data entry before your refund enters the normal processing queue. The online tracker will not show any information until your return has been entered into the system.

If you filed a paper return and it has been more than eight weeks since you mailed it, call the Comptroller's office to confirm they received it. Provide the date you mailed it and the address you sent it to. The office can tell you whether the return arrived and where it is in the processing pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status if I filed jointly?

Yes. Use the primary taxpayer's Social Security number and the refund amount from your joint return. Either spouse can check the status using this information. If you need to check the status of a separate return, use that return's SSN and amount instead.

What if the online tracker says my refund was sent but I have not received it?

If you chose direct deposit, contact your bank to confirm the deposit has not already arrived — sometimes deposits post without a notification. If you chose a paper check and it has been more than two weeks since the tracker said it was sent, call the Comptroller's office at 410-260-7980 to report it as missing. They can issue a replacement check.

Do I need to do anything to get my refund, or does it come automatically?

Your refund comes automatically once your return is processed and approved. You do not need to take any action. If the Comptroller's office needs more information from you, they will send a letter to your mailing address — watch for mail during the processing period.

Can I check my federal tax refund on the Maryland Comptroller's website?

No. The Maryland Comptroller's office only handles state income tax refunds. To check your federal refund status, visit the IRS website at irs.gov and use their "Where's My Refund?" tool, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

What if I made a mistake on my return — will it delay my refund?

If the Comptroller's office finds an error during processing, they will contact you by mail before sending your refund. Correcting the error may add one to two weeks to your timeline. If you discover the error yourself before they do, you can file an amended return, but this restarts the processing clock.