Check your Vermont refund status through the Department of Taxes website

Vermont's Department of Taxes has a tool called "Where's My Refund?" that shows you the status of your state tax refund. You can access it on the Vermont Department of Taxes website by going to the refund status page and entering your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount you expect. The tool updates once per week, usually on Thursdays, so checking on different days may show the same information.

The tool tells you whether your return is still being processed, has been approved, or has already been sent to your bank or mailed to you. If your refund has been approved and sent, it will show the date the state issued the payment. This is different from the date it arrives in your account — banks typically need one to three business days to receive and post the deposit.

Key Takeaways

  • Vermont's "Where's My Refund?" tool on the Department of Taxes website is the official way to track your state refund status.
  • The tool updates once per week on Thursdays, so checking multiple times in the same week will show the same information.
  • You need your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount to use the tool.
  • If the tool shows your refund was sent, allow one to three business days for your bank to receive and post the deposit.
  • If your refund is delayed beyond the normal processing window, contact the Department of Taxes directly rather than waiting for the online tool to update.

What the refund status tool tells you at each stage

When you first check the tool after filing, it may show "Return Received" or "Being Processed." This means the Department of Taxes has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. Standard processing takes about two to four weeks from the date you filed, though returns filed early in the tax season may process faster.

Once the department approves your return, the status changes to "Refund Approved" or "Refund Issued." At this point, the state has calculated your refund and sent the payment. If you chose direct deposit when you filed, the money goes to the bank account you listed. If you chose a mailed check, the status will show the date the check was mailed, and you should receive it within seven to ten business days.

If the tool shows "Refund Deposited" or gives you a specific deposit date, your bank has received the payment. Check your bank account to confirm the deposit appears. If you do not see it within three business days of the date shown, contact your bank to verify they received it.

Why your refund might be delayed

The Department of Taxes may hold your return for review if there are questions about the information you provided — for example, if your income reported on your tax return does not match what employers or financial institutions reported to the state. This is called a "match notice," and the department will contact you by mail if this happens. You will need to respond with documentation to clear up the difference before your refund is released.

Refunds are also delayed if you owe money to Vermont or another state. The Department of Taxes can use your refund to pay back taxes, unpaid child support, or other debts owed to the state. If this happens, you will receive a notice explaining what the refund was applied to. You can contact the Department of Taxes to ask about the specific reason if the notice is unclear.

If you filed a paper return instead of filing online, processing takes longer — typically four to six weeks instead of two to four weeks. The department has to manually enter the information from your form before it can process your return.

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

If you search the tool and it does not find your return, it may not have been received yet. If you filed by mail, allow at least two weeks for the department to receive and enter your return into the system. If you filed online, the return should appear in the tool within a few days.

If you filed more than two weeks ago and the tool still shows nothing, your return may not have been received. Check your filing confirmation — if you filed online, you should have received a confirmation number and email. If you filed by mail and did not get a delivery confirmation, contact the Department of Taxes with your name, Social Security number, and filing date. They can search their records to see if your return arrived.

How to contact the Vermont Department of Taxes about your refund

If the online tool does not answer your question or shows a status you do not understand, you can call the Department of Taxes directly. The phone number is on the Vermont Department of Taxes website. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the tax year ready when you call. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

You can also send a written inquiry to the Department of Taxes with your name, Social Security number, and a description of your question. Mail goes to the address listed on the department's website. Written inquiries take longer to answer than phone calls — usually two to three weeks — so call if you need an answer quickly.

Direct deposit versus mailed checks

If you chose direct deposit on your return, your refund goes directly to the bank account you listed. This is the fastest way to receive your refund — once the state issues the payment, your bank typically receives it within one to three business days. Make sure the account number and routing number you entered on your return are correct, because the state cannot change them after you file.

If you chose a mailed check, the state prints and mails the check to the address on your return. Mailed checks take longer — typically seven to ten business days after the state issues the refund, depending on mail delivery times. If you move after filing but before receiving your check, contact the Department of Taxes with your new address so they can forward it or reissue it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to get a Vermont tax refund?

Most refunds are processed within two to four weeks if you file online. Paper returns take four to six weeks. Once the state issues your refund, direct deposits arrive within one to three business days, and mailed checks arrive within seven to ten business days.

Can I check my refund status by phone?

You can call the Department of Taxes and speak to someone who can look up your refund status, but the online "Where's My Refund?" tool is faster and available 24 hours. The phone line is useful if the tool does not show your return or if you need to explain a specific situation.

What if I filed jointly with a spouse — whose Social Security number do I use?

Use either the primary taxpayer's or secondary taxpayer's Social Security number — the tool will find the return either way. Make sure you enter the exact filing status (Married Filing Jointly) and the refund amount as it appears on your return.

My refund was issued but I haven't received it — what do I do?

If the tool shows your refund was issued more than three business days ago and you chose direct deposit, contact your bank to confirm they received it. If you chose a mailed check and more than ten business days have passed, contact the Department of Taxes to ask if the check was returned or lost in the mail.

Can the state take my refund to pay debts I owe?

Yes. Vermont can use your refund to pay back state taxes, child support, or other debts owed to the state. If this happens, you will receive a notice by mail. You can contact the Department of Taxes to ask what the refund was applied to and whether you can dispute it.