Check your refund status through the Virginia Department of Taxation website

The Virginia Department of Taxation runs a refund tracker on its website where you can see where your state tax refund stands. Go to tax.virginia.gov, find the "Where's My Refund?" tool, and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount you expect. The tool will tell you whether your return is still being processed, approved, or sent out.

The tracker updates once per day, usually overnight. If you filed electronically, you can check as soon as the IRS accepts your federal return. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least four weeks before checking, since the state needs time to receive and scan it first.

You do not need to log into an account or create a password. The tool is anonymous and works on any device with internet access. If the tracker says your refund was issued but you have not received it, note the issue date — that tells you when to expect the check or deposit.

Key Takeaways

  • The Virginia Department of Taxation's "Where's My Refund?" tool on tax.virginia.gov is the official source for your refund status and updates once per day.
  • Electronic filers can check their status as soon as the IRS accepts their federal return; paper filers should wait at least four weeks.
  • Virginia refunds typically arrive within 21 days of the state approving your return, whether by direct deposit or check.
  • If your refund was issued more than 30 days ago and you still have not received it, contact the Department of Taxation directly at 804-367-8031.

How long Virginia refunds take to arrive

The timeline depends on how you filed and how you want your refund. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, Virginia usually issues the refund within 21 days of approving your return. If you chose a check by mail, add another 7 to 10 business days for postal delivery.

Paper returns take longer at every step. The state must receive your return, open it, scan it, and enter the information into the system. This process alone can take four to six weeks. Once entered, your return follows the same approval timeline as electronic returns.

During tax season (January through April), refunds may take longer because the Department of Taxation processes thousands of returns simultaneously. If your return requires manual review — for example, because you claimed a large credit or reported unusual income — expect an additional two to four weeks.

What to do if the tracker shows no information about your return

If you search the "Where's My Refund?" tool and get no results, your return either has not arrived at the state yet or the information you entered does not match what is on file. Double-check that you entered your Social Security number correctly, that your filing status matches your actual return, and that the refund amount is exact — even a dollar off will cause the search to fail.

If the information is correct and the tool still shows nothing, wait a few more days. Electronic returns can take 24 to 48 hours to appear in the system after the IRS accepts them. Paper returns need at least four weeks to be received and scanned.

If you filed more than four weeks ago and the tracker still shows nothing, call the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount ready when you call.

Tracking a refund issued as a check

When the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your refund was issued, it will display the date the check was mailed. Virginia refund checks are mailed from the state treasury in Richmond. A check issued on a Monday or Tuesday typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days; checks issued near the end of the week may take longer because of weekend mail delays.

If the tool says your check was issued more than 14 days ago and you have not received it, the check may have been lost in the mail. Contact the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 and provide the issue date shown in the tracker. The department can issue a replacement check or, in some cases, a direct deposit to your bank account instead.

Do not cash a replacement check if the original arrives later. If both arrive, you must return one to the state. Contact the Department of Taxation to report the duplicate and arrange return of the extra check.

Tracking a refund sent by direct deposit

Direct deposit refunds are faster than checks. Once the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your refund was issued, the money should arrive in your bank account within 3 to 5 business days. The tool will display the issue date and the last four digits of the account where the deposit was sent.

Verify that the account number shown in the tracker matches the account you listed on your return. If it does not, contact your bank to see if the deposit went to a different account you own. If the account number is wrong, call the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 — they may be able to stop the deposit and reissue it to the correct account, though this depends on timing.

If the issue date was more than 10 business days ago and the money has not appeared, contact your bank first. Ask them to search for any pending or rejected deposits from the Virginia Department of Taxation. If the bank has no record, call the Department of Taxation to report the missing deposit.

What to do if your refund is taking longer than expected

If the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your return is still being processed and it has been more than 30 days since you filed, your return may be in a queue for manual review. This happens when the state needs to verify information on your return — for example, if you claimed a large education credit, reported self-employment income, or had a significant change from the previous year.

You can call the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 to ask whether your return is under review and, if so, what information they need from you. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the date you filed ready. The department cannot speed up the review, but they can tell you whether additional documents are needed and how long the process usually takes.

If you filed a paper return and it has been more than six weeks with no status update in the tracker, the return may not have been received or scanned yet. Call the department to confirm they have your return on file. If they do not, you may need to file again or provide a copy of your original return with proof of mailing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Use either spouse's Social Security number to search the "Where's My Refund?" tool. The status will be the same regardless of which number you enter, since the return is processed as a single filing. If you need to speak with someone at the Department of Taxation, have both Social Security numbers available.

What if I filed an amended return — will the tracker show the new refund amount?

The tracker will show the status of your amended return separately from your original return, but only after the state has processed it. Amended returns take longer — typically 8 to 12 weeks. Once processed, the tracker will show whether you are owed an additional refund or owe money back to the state.

Does the "Where's My Refund?" tool work on weekends?

Yes, the tool is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, it updates only once per day, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. Eastern time. Checking on a weekend will show the same information as the previous business day.

What if I moved after I filed — will my refund still reach me?

If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, your refund will go to the bank account you listed on your return, regardless of where you live now. If you chose a check by mail, the check will be sent to the address on your return. If you have moved, contact the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 before your refund is issued to update your mailing address.

Can I have my Virginia refund sent to a different bank account than the one I listed on my return?

No. Once your return is filed, the account information cannot be changed. If you need the refund in a different account, you must wait to receive it in the original account, then transfer it yourself. For future years, you can list a different account on your return.