Where to check your Delaware tax refund

The Delaware Division of Revenue runs a refund tracker on its website where you can see the status of your state return. Go to dnrec.delaware.gov/revenue and look for the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount you expected.

The tool updates once per week, usually on Thursdays. If you filed electronically, your return typically processes within two to three weeks. If you mailed a paper return, allow four to six weeks before checking. The tracker will tell you whether your return is still being processed, has been approved, or has been sent to your bank.

If you cannot find the tool on the main page, call the Delaware Division of Revenue at 302-577-8660 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). A representative can look up your refund status by phone if you have your Social Security number and filing information ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the Delaware Division of Revenue website to track your state refund status in real time.
  • Electronic returns typically process within two to three weeks; paper returns take four to six weeks before you should expect to see movement.
  • The online tracker updates once per week on Thursdays, so checking more frequently will not show new information.
  • If the tracker shows your refund was sent but you have not received it, contact your bank to confirm the deposit was received.
  • For returns filed more than six weeks ago that still show no status, call the Division of Revenue directly at 302-577-8660.

What the refund tracker actually tells you

The "Where's My Refund?" tool shows you one of four statuses. "Return received" means the Division has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. "Return approved" means they have processed it and your refund has been authorized. "Refund sent" means the money has left the state and is on its way to your bank or, if you chose a paper check, has been mailed to your address on file.

The fourth status is "Unable to locate return," which means the system cannot find a return matching your Social Security number and filing information. This usually happens because you typed something incorrectly (Social Security number, filing status, or refund amount), or because your return has not yet been entered into the system. Wait a few days and try again with the exact information from your return.

How long refunds actually take to arrive

Once the tracker shows "Refund sent," the money still needs to travel from the state to your bank. Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within one to three business days after the state sends them. Paper checks take longer—usually five to ten business days from the mailing date, depending on postal service speed and your location.

If the tracker has shown "Refund sent" for more than a week and you have not seen the money in your account, log into your bank's website or app and look for a pending deposit. Some banks show incoming transfers before they fully clear. If nothing appears after ten business days, contact your bank's customer service line with the date the state says it sent the refund. Your bank can trace whether the deposit arrived on their end.

What to do if your refund is delayed or missing

If the tracker still shows "Return received" or "Return approved" after six weeks, or if it shows "Refund sent" but you have not received the money after two weeks, contact the Division of Revenue. Call 302-577-8660 and have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. They can see notes in your file that the online tool does not display—for example, whether your return is flagged for review or whether there was a problem with your bank information.

If you filed a paper return and the tracker cannot locate it, the Division may not have received it yet. Ask whether they have a record of receiving your envelope. If they do not, you may need to file again or provide proof of mailing (like a certified mail receipt) to show you sent it on time.

Checking a federal refund at the same time

Your federal and Delaware refunds are separate and process on different timelines. The IRS runs its own "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov. Your federal return may arrive weeks before or after your Delaware refund, depending on when each agency finishes processing. Do not assume a delay in one means a delay in the other.

If you filed both returns together (which most people do), the IRS processes first. Delaware then uses your federal return information to process your state return. If the IRS is still reviewing your federal return, Delaware may hold your state return until that is complete. In that case, the Division of Revenue tracker may show no status at all until the federal side clears.

What information you need to check your refund

Before you use the online tracker, gather three pieces of information from your tax return: your Social Security number, your filing status (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 the return. The tracker will not accept approximate amounts—it needs the number to the dollar.

If you filed jointly with a spouse, use the primary taxpayer's Social Security number (usually the one listed first on the return). If you cannot remember the exact refund amount, look at a copy of your return or your filing confirmation email if you filed electronically.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Use the primary taxpayer's Social Security number (the one listed first on the return) and the filing status "married filing jointly." The tracker will show the status of the entire joint refund, not individual portions.

What does it mean if the tracker says "unable to locate return"?

It usually means you typed something incorrectly—most often the Social Security number or the refund amount. Try again with the exact information from your return. If you still cannot find it after three attempts, wait a few days (the return may not be in the system yet) or call 302-577-8660 to confirm the Division received it.

My refund shows as sent but I haven't received it. What do I do?

Check your bank account for a pending deposit first. If nothing appears after ten business days, contact your bank with the date the state says it sent the refund. Your bank can confirm whether the deposit arrived on their end. If your bank has no record, call the Division of Revenue at 302-577-8660 with your account information so they can investigate.

How often does the refund tracker update?

The tracker updates once per week, usually on Thursdays. Checking it multiple times in a single day will show the same status. If your return is still processing, you may not see a change for several weeks.

Do I need to do anything to receive my refund once it shows as sent?

No. If you chose direct deposit, the money will arrive in your bank account automatically. If you chose a paper check, it will arrive by mail at the address on your return. You do not need to take any action once the state has sent it.