Check your refund status with the Missouri Department of Revenue
The Missouri Department of Revenue runs a refund tracker on its website where you can see exactly where your state tax refund stands. Go to dor.mo.gov, find the "Where's My Refund?" tool, and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates every 24 hours and will tell you whether your refund is still being processed, has been approved, or has already been sent.
You can also call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time) and speak to someone who can look up your refund by phone. Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready when you call.
The online tool is faster and available 24/7, so start there if you can. If the tool shows your refund as approved but you have not received it, the next step depends on how you chose to receive it.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri's "Where's My Refund?" tool at dor.mo.gov shows your refund status and updates every 24 hours.
- Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within 21 days of approval; paper checks take 4 to 6 weeks after approval.
- If your refund shows approved but has not arrived after the expected timeframe, contact the Department of Revenue to confirm your bank details or mailing address.
- Refunds filed by April 15 are usually processed by mid-summer, but delays happen if your return needs review or correction.
How long Missouri takes to process and send refunds
Missouri typically processes state tax refunds within 30 days of receiving your return, but the total time from filing to receiving your money depends on how you file and how you want the refund sent. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, you should see the money in your bank account within 21 days of the Department of Revenue approving your return. If you filed on paper or chose a paper check, add another 4 to 6 weeks for the check to arrive by mail after approval.
Returns filed early in the tax season (January and February) move faster because the Department of Revenue has fewer to process. Returns filed closer to the April 15 deadline or after it face longer waits. If you filed an extension and your return arrived in October or later, expect processing to take longer because the department handles the backlog from the spring rush first.
Some returns take longer than 30 days because they trigger a review—for example, if you claimed a large credit, reported a loss, or if something on your return does not match the Department of Revenue's records. The "Where's My Refund?" tool will show your return as "under review" or "pending" if this is happening. Do not assume something is wrong; reviews are routine and usually resolve within 60 days.
What to do if your refund is delayed beyond the expected timeline
If the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your refund as approved but you have not received it after 21 days (for direct deposit) or 6 weeks (for a check), log back into the tool and verify that the bank account number or mailing address is correct. Mistakes in these details are the most common reason a refund does not arrive on time. If you spot an error, call the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505 to report it and request a correction.
If the details are correct and your refund still has not arrived, the Department of Revenue can issue a replacement check or redeposit the funds to your bank account. You will need to provide proof that you did not receive the original refund—for direct deposits, your bank statement showing no deposit; for checks, a statement that you did not receive it in the mail. The replacement process usually takes another 4 to 6 weeks.
If your return still shows as "pending" or "under review" after 90 days, call the department. Long delays at this stage usually mean the department needs more information from you—a missing document, a question about your income, or a discrepancy with federal records. The department will tell you what they need and how to send it.
Direct deposit versus paper check: which arrives faster
Direct deposit is significantly faster. When you file your return, you can provide your bank account and routing number and ask the Department of Revenue to deposit your refund directly. Once approved, the refund typically arrives within 21 days. Paper checks take 4 to 6 weeks after approval because they have to be printed, mailed, and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
If you did not provide bank details when you filed, Missouri will send a paper check by default. You cannot change this after filing unless you contact the Department of Revenue before your refund is processed. If you want to switch to direct deposit for future years, make sure to include your bank information on next year's return.
Direct deposit is also safer because there is no risk of a check getting lost in the mail or stolen from your mailbox. If you have a bank account, direct deposit is the better choice.
Reasons your Missouri refund might be taking longer
The most common reasons for delays are errors or inconsistencies on your return. If you reported income that does not match what your employer or bank reported to the IRS, or if you claimed a credit that the Department of Revenue needs to verify, your return goes into review. This is not a problem—it is a normal part of processing—but it adds time.
If you filed a paper return instead of electronically, expect a longer wait. Paper returns have to be scanned and entered into the system by hand, which takes weeks longer than electronic filing. If you filed late (after April 15), your return is processed after all the on-time returns, so the timeline is longer.
Refunds are also delayed if you owe money to the state or federal government. Missouri can hold your refund to pay back taxes, child support, student loans in default, or other debts. If this is happening, the "Where's My Refund?" tool will tell you, and you will receive a notice in the mail explaining what the debt is and how to dispute it if you disagree.
What happens if you filed jointly and only one spouse received the refund
If you filed a joint return and the refund was deposited to only one spouse's bank account, or if one spouse received a check and the other did not, contact the Department of Revenue immediately. Joint refunds should be split according to what you indicated on your return, or held until both spouses can claim it. If the refund went to the wrong account, the department can issue a replacement to the correct account or person.
Bring a copy of your filed return and both spouses' identification when you call. The department will need to verify the filing status and the account information you provided on the return to sort out what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Missouri return was actually received?
If you filed electronically, you received a confirmation number immediately after submitting. If you filed on paper, the Department of Revenue does not send a receipt, but you can call 573-751-3505 and they will confirm receipt by Social Security number. The "Where's My Refund?" tool will also show your return once it has been scanned into the system, which usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for paper returns.
Can I get my refund faster if I pay a fee?
No. Missouri does not offer expedited processing for an additional fee. The timeline is the same for everyone. Direct deposit is the fastest method available at no extra cost.
What if I moved after I filed and the check went to my old address?
Contact the Department of Revenue and provide your new address. They can issue a replacement check to your current address. If you have already received the check at your old address, you can endorse it and deposit it normally—the address on a check does not prevent you from cashing it.
Will my refund be reduced if I owe federal taxes?
No. Missouri state refunds and federal refunds are separate. The IRS can hold your federal refund to pay back federal taxes or other federal debts, but Missouri cannot. However, Missouri can hold your state refund if you owe Missouri state taxes or other debts like child support.
Can I check my refund status without the exact amount?
The online tool requires the exact refund amount, but you can call the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505 and they can look it up with just your Social Security number and filing status. The phone line is often faster if you do not have your return handy.