How to track your Maryland state tax refund

Maryland's Comptroller's Office runs a tool called Where's My Refund that shows you the status of your state income tax refund. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return, and the system tells you whether your refund has been processed, is in the mail, or is still being reviewed. The tool updates every business day and covers refunds from returns filed in the current and prior tax year.

The tool is free and does not require you to create an account. You can check it as many times as you want. If your refund status does not appear in the system, it usually means your return has not yet been processed — most returns take three to six weeks from the date the Comptroller receives them, though some take longer if they require additional review.

You can reach the tool at marylandtaxes.gov under the "Where's My Refund" section, or call the Comptroller's refund hotline at 410-260-7980 during business hours. The phone line can also tell you your status, though you will need the same information ready: your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Maryland's Where's My Refund tool shows your refund status by Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount — no login required.
  • The system updates every business day and covers returns from the current and prior tax year.
  • Most refunds are issued three to six weeks after the Comptroller receives your return, though some take longer if they need review.
  • If your refund does not show up in the system, your return may still be in the processing queue and will appear once it enters the system.
  • You can also call 410-260-7980 during business hours to speak with someone about your refund status.

What information you need to check your status

The Where's My Refund tool requires three pieces of information from your tax return: your Social Security number (or ITIN if you filed with an ITIN), your filing status as it appears on the return (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or may have access to widow/widower), and the exact refund amount you claimed on your return.

The refund amount must match exactly — if you entered $1,250 on your return but enter $1,251 in the tool, the system will not find your record. If you are unsure of the exact amount, check your filed return or the confirmation notice the Comptroller sent you after receiving it. You do not need your return itself or any other documents to use the tool.

How long Maryland takes to process refunds

The Comptroller's standard processing time is three to six weeks from the date your return is received. This timeline assumes your return is complete, has no errors, and does not trigger additional review. Returns filed electronically usually arrive faster than paper returns, so electronic filers often see their status appear in the system sooner.

Some returns take longer. If the Comptroller's office needs to verify information on your return — such as income reported by employers, credits you claimed, or deductions you listed — the review can add two to four weeks or more. If your return was filed on paper and the office is processing a high volume, it may take additional time to scan and enter your information into the system.

If your refund does not appear in Where's My Refund after six weeks, call 410-260-7980 to ask whether your return is still in the queue or whether it has been flagged for review. The office can tell you the specific reason for the delay and give you a better estimate of when to expect your refund.

What the refund status messages mean

The Where's My Refund tool shows one of several status messages. Return received means the Comptroller has your return but has not yet begun processing it — this is normal for returns filed recently. Return being processed means your return is in the queue and the office is working through it. Refund approved means the Comptroller has reviewed your return, found no issues, and approved your refund for payment.

Refund issued means the Comptroller has sent your refund to the bank or mailing address on file. If you chose direct deposit, the refund has been transmitted to your bank and should arrive within one to three business days. If you chose a check by mail, the check is in the mail and typically arrives within seven to ten business days from the issued date.

Return under review means the Comptroller needs more information or has questions about something on your return. The office will send you a letter explaining what it needs. Do not wait for the letter to arrive — call 410-260-7980 as soon as you see this status to find out what is being reviewed and what you should do next.

Direct deposit versus check refunds

When you filed your return, you chose whether to receive your refund by direct deposit to a bank account or by check in the mail. The Where's My Refund tool does not show which method you chose, but your filed return does. If you are unsure, check the copy of your return you kept or the filing confirmation the Comptroller sent you.

Direct deposit refunds arrive faster — usually one to three business days after the Comptroller issues the refund. Check refunds take longer because they must be printed, mailed, and delivered by the postal service, typically seven to ten business days. If you chose direct deposit and the refund was issued more than three business days ago but has not appeared in your account, contact your bank to confirm they received it and that the account number on your return was correct.

If you chose a check and it has been more than ten business days since the issued date, the check may have been lost in the mail. Call 410-260-7980 to report the missing check. The Comptroller can issue a replacement or, in some cases, reissue the refund by direct deposit if you provide a bank account.

If your refund does not show up in the system

If you search Where's My Refund and get no results, it usually means one of three things: your return has not yet been received or entered into the system, you entered one of the three required pieces of information incorrectly, or your return was filed under a different name or Social Security number than the one you are searching with.

First, double-check the information you entered. Make sure your Social Security number has no typos, your filing status matches exactly what is on your return, and your refund amount is the exact figure you claimed. Even a one-digit error will cause the search to fail. If you are confident the information is correct, wait a few more days — paper returns and returns filed late in the tax season can take longer to enter into the system.

If you filed jointly with a spouse, try searching with your spouse's Social Security number and filing status. Some couples' returns are processed under one spouse's number rather than the other. If you still cannot find your return after two weeks, call 410-260-7980 to confirm the Comptroller received it and to ask when it will appear in the system.

What to do if your refund is delayed or missing

If your refund status shows "Return under review" or if more than six weeks have passed since you filed and your refund has not been issued, contact the Comptroller's office. Call 410-260-7980 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready.

The office can tell you the specific reason for the delay, whether your return needs additional information from you, and when you can expect your refund. If the Comptroller needs documents from you — such as proof of income, receipts for deductions, or verification of credits — the office will explain what to send and where to send it. If your check was lost in the mail, the office can issue a replacement or reissue the refund by direct deposit.

You can also write to the Comptroller's office at Revenue Administration Division, 301 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, though calling is faster. Include your name, Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount in any written inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status if I filed a joint return?

Yes. Use either your Social Security number or your spouse's — the system will find the return either way. If one number does not work, try the other. Make sure you enter the filing status as "married filing jointly" and the exact refund amount from the return.

How do I know if my refund was sent by direct deposit or check?

Check the copy of your return you kept or the filing confirmation the Comptroller sent you after receiving it. The return itself shows which method you selected. You can also call 410-260-7980 and provide your Social Security number and refund amount — the office can tell you which method was used.

What if I entered the wrong bank account for direct deposit?

If the refund has already been issued and sent to the wrong account, contact your bank when ready to report it. The bank may be able to reverse the deposit if it was sent to an account that does not belong to you. You can also call 410-260-7980 to report the error — the Comptroller may be able to issue a replacement check or reissue the refund to the correct account.

Can I change my refund method from check to direct deposit?

No — once your return is filed, you cannot change the refund method. If you filed for a check but want direct deposit instead, you will need to wait for the check to arrive, deposit it yourself, or call 410-260-7980 to ask whether the office can reissue it by direct deposit before the check is mailed.

What if I think there is an error on my return?

If you discover an error after filing, you can file an amended return using Form 505. However, do not file an amended return until you receive your original refund — amending before the first return is processed can delay both. Once you receive the refund from your original return, you can file the amended return to claim any additional refund you are owed.