New York updates your refund status once per week, usually on Thursdays

The New York Department of Taxation and Finance checks refund progress every Thursday and posts the update to their website. If you filed electronically, you can see your status the same day. If you filed on paper, the department processes your return first, which takes longer — typically two to four weeks before your status appears online at all.

The weekly update window is Thursday morning through Friday afternoon. If you check your status on a Wednesday, you are seeing last week's information. If you check on Friday or over the weekend, you are seeing the most current update available until the following Thursday.

Status updates do not mean your refund has been deposited yet. The update tells you where your return sits in the processing queue — received, under review, approved, or sent to the bank. The actual deposit into your account happens separately and can take several more business days after approval.

Key Takeaways

  • New York posts refund status updates every Thursday, so checking on other days shows you last week's information.
  • Electronic filers see their status online within days of filing; paper filers wait two to four weeks before any status appears.
  • A status update showing approval does not mean the money has hit your bank account yet — that takes a few more business days.
  • You can check your status on the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website using your Social Security number and filing status.
  • If your status has not changed in more than two weeks, or if you see an error, contact the department by phone or through their online portal.

How to check your New York refund status online

Go to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website 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 you expect. The tool will show you one of four statuses: return received, return under review, refund approved, or refund sent to your bank.

The tool works for both New York State income tax refunds and refunds from the Empire State Child Tax Credit or other state credits. If you filed electronically through a tax software or preparer, your status usually appears within one to three business days. If you mailed a paper return, allow two to four weeks before checking.

You can check as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you look. However, remember that the information only updates once per week on Thursday, so checking multiple times in the same day will show you the same status.

Timeline from filing to deposit for electronic filers

Electronic filers typically see their refund deposited within 21 days of filing, though many receive it faster. Here is the usual sequence: you file electronically on day one; your status appears online within one to three business days showing "return received"; the department reviews your return over the next week or two; on a Thursday update, your status changes to "refund approved"; the state sends the refund to your bank; your bank deposits the money into your account within one to three business days after that.

The 21-day window is a target, not a may provide. Refunds can arrive in as few as seven to ten days if there are no issues with your return. They can also take longer if the department needs more information from you — for example, if your Social Security number does not match their records, or if you claimed a credit the state needs to verify.

Direct deposit is faster than a paper check. If you chose direct deposit on your return, expect the money in your account within the 21-day window. If you requested a paper check, add another week or two for mailing time after the state approves your refund.

Timeline from filing to deposit for paper filers

Paper returns take much longer because the state has to physically receive your envelope, open it, scan it, and enter your information into their system before processing begins. Expect your status to appear online four to six weeks after you mail your return, assuming you mailed it early enough in the tax season.

Once your status appears online, the processing timeline is similar to electronic filers — another two to four weeks from "return received" to "refund approved" to deposit. This means a paper filer who mails their return in early April might not see a deposit until late May or early June, even if there are no problems with the return.

Paper checks take even longer. If you requested a check instead of direct deposit, add another one to two weeks after approval for the state to print and mail it to you.

What to do if your status has not changed in two weeks

If you filed electronically and your status still shows "return received" after two weeks, or if it has been stuck on the same status for more than two weeks, contact the New York Department of Taxation and Finance. You can call their refund hotline at 518-457-5149 during business hours, or use their online portal to submit a message.

Have your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount ready when you call. The department can tell you whether your return is delayed because of a data mismatch, a missing document, or a processing backlog. If there is a problem, they will tell you what you need to do to fix it.

Paper filers should wait at least six weeks before contacting the department, since the mail delivery and scanning process alone can take that long. If six weeks have passed and your status has not appeared online, then call.

Common reasons your refund status stops updating

Data mismatch: Your Social Security number, name, or filing status on your return does not match what is in the state's records. The department will send you a letter asking you to verify the information. Respond promptly with the documents they request.

Missing information: You did not sign your return, did not include a required document, or left a line blank that the state needs to process your refund. Again, the department sends a letter. Do not ignore it — your refund will not move forward until you respond.

Claimed credit under review: If you claimed the Empire State Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, or another credit, the state may need extra time to verify you are may have access to to it. This can add two to four weeks to your timeline.

Return filed late in the season: If you file in May or June, your refund will take longer simply because the department is processing a higher volume. Expect the full 21-day window or longer.

Deposit timing after your status shows "refund approved"

Once your status changes to "refund approved" on a Thursday update, your refund has been processed and the state is sending it to your bank. If you chose direct deposit, the money usually arrives within one to three business days. If you chose a paper check, allow one to two weeks for printing and mailing.

Your bank may hold the deposit for an additional day or two, especially if the amount is large or if you have a new account. This is your bank's process, not New York's — the state has already sent the money.

If your status shows "refund approved" but the money has not arrived after five business days for direct deposit, or three weeks for a check, contact your bank first to confirm they received it. If your bank has no record of the deposit, then call the New York Department of Taxation and Finance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status if I filed jointly with my spouse?

Yes. Use either spouse's Social Security number and the filing status "married filing jointly." The status will be the same regardless of which Social Security number you enter, since the return is processed as one unit.

What if I filed an amended return — does the status reset?

Yes. When you file an amended return (Form IT-201-X), it starts a new processing cycle. Your original refund status becomes irrelevant. Check the status of your amended return using the same tool, and expect another two to four weeks from the date you filed the amendment.

Does the Thursday update happen on holidays?

No. If Thursday falls on a holiday or the day after a holiday, the update is delayed to the next business day. Check the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website for their holiday schedule if you are checking around a major holiday.

Why does my status show "return received" but I filed two months ago?

If you filed electronically, this usually means the department found a problem with your return and is waiting for you to respond to a letter they sent. Check your mail for a notice from the state. If you filed on paper, the delay is normal — paper returns take four to six weeks just to be scanned and entered into the system.

Can I change my refund to direct deposit if I originally requested a check?

No. Once you file your return, you cannot change the refund method. If your status still shows "return received" or "under review," you could file an amended return requesting direct deposit instead, but this delays your refund by several weeks. It is usually faster to wait for the paper check.