Where to check your Delaware refund status
Delaware's Department of Revenue lets you check your refund status online through their website. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool updates once a week, usually on Wednesdays, so checking daily will not show new information.
You can also call the Delaware Department of Revenue at 302-577-8660 during business hours. Have the same three pieces of information ready when you call. The phone line typically has shorter wait times early in the morning or late in the week.
If you filed through a tax preparer or accountant, they may also be able to look up your status for you using their own access to state systems. Ask them before you call the state directly.
Key Takeaways
- Delaware's Department of Revenue website has a refund status tool that requires your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
- The online tool updates once per week on Wednesdays, so checking more frequently will not show changes.
- You can also call 302-577-8660 during business hours to speak with someone about your refund.
- Refunds typically arrive within 4 to 6 weeks from the date the state accepts your return, though this varies by filing method and whether the return needs review.
How long refunds normally take
Delaware aims to process refunds within 4 to 6 weeks of accepting your return. If you filed electronically, the state usually accepts your return within a few days. If you mailed a paper return, acceptance takes longer — typically 2 to 3 weeks just to receive and scan it.
Once the state accepts your return, the clock starts. Some refunds process faster than others. Returns that match your prior year information and have no errors often process in the shorter timeframe. Returns that need manual review — because of inconsistencies, missing information, or random selection — take longer.
The refund itself arrives by direct deposit or check, depending on what you chose on your return. Direct deposit is faster, usually arriving within a few business days of approval. Checks take longer because they must be printed and mailed.
What to do if your refund is delayed
If more than 6 weeks have passed since the state accepted your return and the status tool shows no progress, contact the Department of Revenue. Have your return handy so you can provide your filing date and the date you received the acceptance notice.
Common reasons for delays include a mismatch between the name or Social Security number on your return and state records, missing information the state needs to verify, or a hold placed by another agency (such as child support enforcement or a student loan servicer). The Department of Revenue can tell you which applies to your return and what you need to do next.
If you chose direct deposit but provided an incorrect account number, the refund may have been rejected by your bank. The state will then mail a check instead, which adds several weeks. Check your bank account statements to see if a deposit was attempted.
Understanding the refund status messages
The online tool shows different messages depending on where your return is in the process. "Return received" means the state has scanned your paper return or accepted your electronic filing, but has not yet begun processing. "Return accepted" means processing has started. "Refund approved" means the state has finished reviewing your return and approved the refund amount.
Once you see "Refund approved," the refund is on its way. If you chose direct deposit, it should arrive within a few business days. If you chose a check, allow 7 to 10 business days for mailing, plus the time it takes your mail carrier to deliver it.
If the tool shows "Return under review," the state is examining your return more closely. This does not mean there is a problem — it is a normal part of processing for some returns. The review typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
What information you need to check your status
Before you use the online tool or call, gather three pieces of information from your tax return: your Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you do not have an SSN), your filing status as it appears on the return, and the refund amount you claimed.
The refund amount must match exactly. If you claimed a refund of $847 and you enter $800, the system will not find your return. If you are unsure of the exact amount, check your copy of the return you filed or the acceptance notice the state sent you.
If you filed jointly with a spouse, use the primary filer's Social Security number — the one listed first on the return.
Refunds and payment plans if you owe instead
If you made a mistake on your return and owe Delaware money instead of receiving a refund, you can set up a payment plan through the Department of Revenue. Call 302-577-8660 to discuss options. The state may allow you to pay in installments rather than in full when ready.
If the state owes you a refund but you also owe Delaware taxes from a prior year, the state will use your current refund to pay down what you owe. This is called an offset. The Department of Revenue will notify you if this happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my refund status if I filed through a tax preparer?
Yes. You can use the same online tool or phone number as anyone else. Your tax preparer may also have access to your status through their own system. Ask them first — they may be able to tell you faster than calling the state.
What if the refund amount I see online does not match what I expected?
The amount shown is what the state approved after reviewing your return. It may differ from what you calculated if the state found an error, applied a credit you did not claim, or adjusted your income based on other records. Call 302-577-8660 to ask why the amount changed.
How do I change my refund from a check to direct deposit?
You cannot change the delivery method after you file. If you chose a check and want direct deposit instead, you must wait for the check to arrive, then deposit it yourself. For future years, choose direct deposit when you file to speed up the process.
What if I never received my refund check?
Call the Department of Revenue and provide your return information. They can confirm whether the check was mailed and, if so, when. If it was mailed more than 30 days ago and you have not received it, the state can issue a replacement check or direct deposit the amount to your bank account instead.
Is there a phone number I can call if the website is down?
Yes. Call 302-577-8660 during business hours. The phone line is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning.