Check your refund status on the Missouri Department of Revenue website

The Missouri Department of Revenue runs a refund tracker at dor.mo.gov. Go to the "Where's My Refund?" tool and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool tells you whether your refund has been processed, is in the mail, or is still being reviewed.

This is the only official source for your refund status. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you filed electronically, the tracker typically shows your status within 24 hours of the Missouri Department of Revenue receiving your return. If you filed on paper, it can take two to three weeks before the status appears in the system.

Keep your tax return in front of you when you use the tracker. You will need the exact dollar amount of your refund as it appears on your return — even being off by one dollar will cause the tool to reject your entry.

Key Takeaways

  • The Missouri Department of Revenue's "Where's My Refund?" tool at dor.mo.gov is the only official way to check your refund status.
  • Electronic returns show up in the tracker within 24 hours; paper returns take two to three weeks to enter the system.
  • If your refund was issued more than 60 days ago and you still have not received it, contact the Department of Revenue directly at 573-751-3505.
  • Refunds are issued by check in the mail unless you chose direct deposit on your return.
  • If your return was selected for review or audit, the tracker will show that status, and processing will take longer than the standard timeline.

What the refund status messages mean

The tracker shows one of several messages. "Return received" means the Missouri Department of Revenue has your return but has not yet processed it. This is normal for the first week or two after filing. "Return accepted" means your return passed initial review and is moving through processing. "Refund issued" means the Department of Revenue has approved your refund and sent it out — either by mail or to your bank account if you chose direct deposit.

If you see "Return under review," your return has been flagged for additional verification. This happens randomly or when the Department of Revenue spots something that does not match their records — a name change, an address mismatch, or income that does not align with W-2s or 1099s on file. Reviews add two to four weeks to processing time. You will receive a letter in the mail if the Department of Revenue needs documents from you.

If the tracker shows no status at all, your return may not have been received yet. Paper returns take longer to scan and enter the system. If you filed electronically and see no status after 48 hours, contact the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505.

How long Missouri refunds typically take

Electronic returns that pass initial review are usually processed within 10 to 14 business days. Paper returns take longer — typically three to four weeks from the date the Department of Revenue receives them, which itself can take one to two weeks if you mailed it. Direct deposit refunds arrive faster than checks; if your refund was issued by direct deposit, it should hit your bank account within one to three business days of the issue date shown in the tracker.

Refunds issued by check take longer. The Department of Revenue prints and mails checks in batches. Once your check is mailed, it typically arrives within seven to ten business days, depending on your location and mail speed. If you live far from Jefferson City, add a few extra days.

These timelines assume your return was accepted without issues. If the Department of Revenue selects your return for review, adds two to four weeks. If you owe other debts — back child support, student loans in default, or other state debts — the Department of Revenue may hold your refund to offset those debts, which adds time and requires separate resolution.

What to do if your refund is late

If the tracker shows your refund was issued more than 60 days ago and you have not received it, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The Department of Revenue can check whether the check was cashed, whether it was returned as undeliverable, or whether it was issued by direct deposit and confirm the bank account it was sent to.

If your check was returned as undeliverable, the Department of Revenue will reissue it to your current address. If your address changed after you filed, update it with the post office and call the Department of Revenue to confirm they have the new address on file. If your check was lost in the mail, the Department of Revenue can issue a replacement, though this takes another two to three weeks.

If your refund was issued by direct deposit and you do not see it in your bank account, confirm with your bank that the deposit was received. Banks sometimes reject deposits if the account number or routing number on your return was incorrect. If your bank rejected the deposit, the Department of Revenue will mail you a check instead, which takes one to two weeks.

If your return was selected for review or audit

The "Where's My Refund?" tracker will show "Return under review" if the Department of Revenue has flagged your return for additional verification. This does not mean you did anything wrong — the Department of Revenue reviews returns at random and also reviews returns when information does not match their records or federal records.

You will receive a letter in the mail explaining what the Department of Revenue needs from you. The letter will list specific documents — W-2s, 1099s, receipts, bank statements, or other proof. Follow the instructions in the letter exactly. Send the documents to the address listed, not to the main Department of Revenue office. Keep a copy for yourself and send originals or certified copies, not photocopies, unless the letter says photocopies are acceptable.

Once the Department of Revenue receives your documents, processing typically takes another two to four weeks. If you do not respond to the letter within 30 days, the Department of Revenue may deny your refund and assess penalties. If you lose the letter or do not understand what is being asked, call 573-751-3505 and reference the case number on the letter.

Direct deposit versus check refunds

When you filed your return, you chose whether to receive your refund by direct deposit or by check. Direct deposit is faster — once your refund is issued, it reaches your bank account within one to three business days. Checks take seven to ten business days after being mailed, plus the time it takes the Department of Revenue to print and mail them.

If you chose direct deposit but provided an incorrect account number or routing number, the bank will reject the deposit and the Department of Revenue will mail you a check instead. This adds one to two weeks to your timeline. You cannot change your refund method after you file; if you chose check and want direct deposit, you will have to wait for the check and then deposit it yourself.

If you chose direct deposit and your bank account has been closed since you filed, the deposit will be rejected. Contact the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505 and provide a new account number, or request that they mail a check instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change how I receive my refund after I file?

No. Once you file your return, the refund method is locked in. If you chose direct deposit and want a check instead, or vice versa, you cannot change it. You will receive your refund the way you requested on your return.

What if the "Where's My Refund?" tool says my refund was issued but I never received it?

If it was issued by direct deposit, confirm with your bank that the deposit arrived and was not rejected. If it was issued by check and more than 60 days have passed, call the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505 to report it missing. They can check whether the check was cashed and issue a replacement if it was lost.

Why is my return under review?

The Department of Revenue reviews returns at random and also reviews returns when information does not match their records or federal data. You will receive a letter explaining what they need. Respond with the documents listed in the letter within 30 days.

How do I know if my refund was offset for back child support or other debts?

The "Where's My Refund?" tool will not show an offset directly. If your refund was issued but you received less than expected, or if you received nothing, contact the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505. They can tell you whether your refund was offset and which agency holds the debt. You will need to resolve the underlying debt separately.

What if I filed a paper return and it has been more than four weeks?

Paper returns take longer to process. If more than four weeks have passed since you mailed it and the tracker shows no status, call the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505. They can check whether your return was received and scanned into the system. Bring your mailing date and the address you sent it to.