Where to check the status of your Detroit city tax refund

Detroit processes city income tax refunds through the Detroit Tax Department, and you can check the status of yours by phone or through the department's website. Call 313-628-2451 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time) and have your Social Security number and the tax year in question ready. The representative will tell you whether your refund has been processed, when it was sent, and the amount.

If you filed electronically, your refund typically processes within 4 to 6 weeks from the date the department receives your return. If you filed on paper, add another 2 to 4 weeks to that timeline. The department does not mail refund checks on a fixed schedule — they process batches as returns are completed, so two people who filed on the same day may receive refunds weeks apart.

You can also visit the Detroit Tax Department office in person at 701 W. Milwaukee Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202 to ask about your refund status. Bring a photo ID and your Social Security number. This route is slower than calling unless you happen to live or work near downtown Detroit, but it gives you a paper record of when you inquired.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the Detroit Tax Department at 313-628-6451 with your Social Security number to learn whether your refund has been processed and when it was mailed.
  • Electronic returns typically take 4 to 6 weeks to process; paper returns take 6 to 10 weeks from the date the department receives them.
  • The department processes refunds in batches, not on a fixed schedule, so filing early does not may provide you receive your refund early.
  • If your refund was mailed more than 60 days ago and you have not received it, contact the department to request a trace or reissue.

What to do if your refund was mailed but never arrived

Refund checks can be lost in the mail, especially if your address changed between filing and receiving the check. If the Detroit Tax Department confirms your refund was mailed more than 60 days ago and you still have not received it, ask them to file a refund trace. This means the department contacts the U.S. Postal Service to search for the check. The trace takes 4 to 8 weeks, and if the check is not found, the department will issue a replacement.

Before you request a trace, check that the address on your tax return matches where you actually live. If you moved after filing, the check may have gone to your old address. Contact whoever lives there now or check with the post office to see if mail forwarding is still active on your account. If the check went to the wrong address and someone else cashed it, the department will still issue a replacement once you report it.

How to request a replacement refund check

Once a refund trace is complete and the check is not found, the Detroit Tax Department will issue a replacement. You do not have to do anything — the department will mail it to the address on file. If you want the replacement sent to a different address, call 313-628-2451 and provide the new address before the trace is finished.

Replacement checks take the same amount of time as the original trace — 4 to 8 weeks. If you need the money urgently, ask the department whether they can issue a replacement by direct deposit instead of check. Not all departments offer this, but Detroit may be able to deposit the refund directly into your bank account if you provide routing and account numbers.

Why your refund might be delayed or held

The Detroit Tax Department may hold a refund if there is a discrepancy between your return and the W-2 or 1099 forms your employer or payer submitted. This is most common when your reported income does not match what was reported to the city. The department will send you a letter explaining what does not match and asking you to clarify or provide documentation. Until you respond, your refund stays on hold.

A refund can also be delayed if you owe back taxes to Detroit from a previous year, or if you owe child support, student loans, or other debts that the state or federal government can intercept. The department will offset your refund against what you owe and send you a notice explaining the offset. This is legal and you cannot prevent it, but you can contact the agency that holds the debt to negotiate a payment plan.

If you filed an amended return after your original return, the department may delay your refund while it processes the amendment. Amended returns take longer than original returns — typically 8 to 12 weeks. If you filed an amendment, mention that when you call to check your status.

What information you need before you call

Have your Social Security number and the tax year ready when you contact the Detroit Tax Department. If you filed jointly with a spouse, you will need both Social Security numbers. If you are calling about a business or partnership return, have the business tax ID number instead. The representative will ask for this information before they can look up your account.

If you filed more than one return in the same year — for example, an original return and then an amended return — tell the representative which one you are asking about. This prevents confusion and speeds up the lookup.

How Detroit city tax refunds are different from federal and state refunds

Detroit city income tax is separate from Michigan state income tax and federal income tax. You file a separate Detroit return (Form D-1040 or D-1040NR) even if you file federal and state returns. Your Detroit refund is processed independently and on its own timeline — it does not depend on whether your federal or state refund has been issued, and delays with one do not affect the others.

If you live in Detroit and work in Detroit, you owe city tax. If you live in Detroit but work outside the city, you may still owe city tax depending on where you work. If you live outside Detroit but work in the city, you owe Detroit tax on the income you earned there. The rules are complex, and if you are unsure whether you should have filed a Detroit return, call the Tax Department to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Detroit city tax refund?

Electronic returns typically process in 4 to 6 weeks; paper returns take 6 to 10 weeks. The department processes refunds in batches, not on a fixed schedule, so the exact timing depends on when your return is completed, not when you filed it.

Can I get my refund by direct deposit instead of check?

If you filed electronically and provided banking information on your return, the department may deposit your refund directly. Call 313-628-2451 to confirm whether direct deposit is available for your refund. If you did not provide banking information when you filed, you will receive a check.

What if I moved after I filed my return?

Contact the Detroit Tax Department and provide your new address before your refund is mailed. If the check was already mailed to your old address, you can request a replacement sent to your new address. Check with the post office to see if mail forwarding is still active on your account.

Can the city take my refund to pay back taxes or other debts?

Yes. If you owe Detroit back taxes, or if you owe child support or student loans, the city or state can offset your refund against what you owe. You will receive a notice explaining the offset. You cannot prevent this, but you can contact the agency that holds the debt to discuss a payment plan.

Who do I contact if I think there is an error on my Detroit tax return?

Call the Detroit Tax Department at 313-628-2451 to report an error. Have your return and any supporting documents ready. If the error is on the department's side, they will correct it and reprocess your refund. If the error is on your return, you may need to file an amended return.