How to track your Illinois tax refund

You can check the status of your Illinois state tax refund through the Illinois Department of Revenue website using the Where's My Refund tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates every 24 hours, so checking more than once a day will not show new information.

The Department of Revenue processes most refunds within 30 days of receiving your return, though this timeline can vary depending on whether your return was filed electronically or by mail, and whether it required additional review. If you filed by mail, add 7 to 10 days to account for processing time before your return even enters the system.

You can also call the Illinois Department of Revenue at 1-800-732-8866 to speak with someone about your refund status. Have your Social Security number and filing status ready when you call. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Illinois Department of Revenue's Where's My Refund tool is the fastest way to check your refund status and updates every 24 hours.
  • Most refunds are issued within 30 days of the department receiving your return, but mailed returns take an extra week or two to enter the system.
  • You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your tax return to use the online tool.
  • If the Where's My Refund tool shows no information about your return, your return may not have been received yet or may be under review.
  • The Illinois Department of Revenue phone line can provide refund status information and is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

What the Where's My Refund tool shows you

The Where's My Refund tool displays one of four statuses: your return has been received and is being processed, your return is under review, your refund has been approved and is being prepared for payment, or your refund has been issued. Each status tells you roughly where your refund is in the pipeline, though the tool does not show an exact day it will arrive in your bank account.

If the tool says your refund has been issued, the money is on its way but may not appear in your account for another 3 to 5 business days, depending on your bank. Some banks post deposits faster than others. If you chose direct deposit on your return, the refund goes to the account you listed. If you requested a check by mail, allow 7 to 10 additional business days for the check to arrive after the tool shows it has been issued.

Why your refund might be delayed

The most common reason for a delayed refund is a mismatch between the information on your return and the information on file with the Illinois Department of Revenue or the IRS. This includes mismatched names, Social Security numbers, or income figures. The department will contact you by mail if your return requires additional review, so check your mailbox regularly.

If you filed by mail, your return takes longer to reach the department's system than an electronically filed return. Paper returns are scanned and entered manually, which adds 7 to 10 days to the initial processing time. If you filed electronically but your refund has not appeared after 30 days, your return may be flagged for review.

Returns that claim certain credits or deductions, or that show a significant change from the previous year's return, are more likely to be selected for review. This does not mean anything is wrong with your return — it is a standard verification step. The review process typically takes an additional 30 to 60 days.

What to do if your refund is missing or incorrect

If the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was issued more than 10 business days ago but you have not received it, contact your bank first to confirm the deposit was not made to a different account or held for any reason. Then call the Illinois Department of Revenue at 1-800-732-8866 to report the missing refund. Have your return and a record of when the tool showed the refund as issued.

If you believe your refund amount is wrong, compare the amount shown in the Where's My Refund tool to the amount on your actual tax return. If they match, the tool is showing the correct amount. If they do not match, or if you think your return itself was calculated incorrectly, you will need to file an amended return using Form IL-1040-X. The Illinois Department of Revenue website has instructions for amended returns.

Direct deposit versus check refunds

If you chose direct deposit on your return, your refund goes directly to the bank account you listed. Direct deposit refunds typically arrive 3 to 5 business days after the Where's My Refund tool shows the refund has been issued. If you chose to receive a check by mail instead, the check is mailed from the Department of Revenue and takes 7 to 10 additional business days to arrive after the tool shows it has been issued.

You cannot change your refund delivery method after you file your return. If you provided an incorrect bank account number for direct deposit, the refund may be returned to the Department of Revenue, and you will receive a check by mail instead. The department will contact you if this happens.

Refunds for amended or corrected returns

If you filed an amended return using Form IL-1040-X, your refund will take longer to process. Amended returns are processed manually and typically take 60 to 90 days from the date the Department of Revenue receives them. You can check the status of an amended return using the same Where's My Refund tool, but it may not show information until the return has been in the system for at least two weeks.

The Department of Revenue will send you a notice by mail when your amended return has been processed and will explain any changes to your refund amount. If you are owed additional money, it will be refunded to you using the same method you chose on the amended return.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an Illinois tax refund?

Most refunds are issued within 30 days of the Illinois Department of Revenue receiving your return. If you filed electronically, this clock starts when the return is received. If you filed by mail, add 7 to 10 days for the return to be scanned and entered into the system before processing begins. Direct deposit refunds arrive 3 to 5 business days after being issued; checks take 7 to 10 business days.

What do I do if the Where's My Refund tool says my return is under review?

Returns under review are being checked for accuracy or to verify information. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem. The review typically takes 30 to 60 additional days. The Department of Revenue will contact you by mail if they need more information from you. Do not contact them unless you receive a letter asking you to do so.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the Department of Revenue?

Calling the Department of Revenue will not speed up your refund, but it can confirm the current status and let you know if your return is under review or if there is a problem. Call 1-800-732-8866 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time if you have questions about your specific return.

What if I made a mistake on my Illinois tax return?

If you made a mistake that affects your refund amount, you can file an amended return using Form IL-1040-X. Amended returns take 60 to 90 days to process. You cannot amend a return that is already under review — wait for the Department of Revenue to finish reviewing it first, then file the amended return if needed.

Why does the Where's My Refund tool say no information is available?

This usually means your return has not been received yet or has not been entered into the system. If you filed electronically, it can take up to 24 hours to appear. If you filed by mail, allow 7 to 10 days. If more than two weeks have passed since you mailed your return and it still does not appear, contact the Department of Revenue to confirm they received it.