Check your refund status through the Missouri Department of Revenue

The Missouri Department of Revenue runs a refund tracker on its website where you can see the status of your state tax return. Go to dor.mo.gov, find the "Where's My Refund?" tool, and enter your Social Security number and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

The tracker shows you one of four statuses: your return is being processed, your refund has been approved and is scheduled to be issued, your refund has been issued, or there is a problem with your return that needs attention. If the tool says your return is still being processed, you will see an estimated date when the next update will happen.

You need the refund amount to use this tool, so have your tax return in front of you. If you filed electronically, you should be able to check the status within 24 hours of filing. If you mailed a paper return, allow at least two weeks before checking.

Key Takeaways

  • The Missouri Department of Revenue's "Where's My Refund?" tool on dor.mo.gov is the official way to track your state refund status.
  • You will need your Social Security number and the exact refund amount from your return to use the tracker.
  • The tool updates once per day and shows whether your return is being processed, approved, issued, or flagged for a problem.
  • If your refund was issued more than 30 days ago and you have not received it, contact the Department of Revenue directly at 573-751-3505.

What the different status messages mean

"Return is being processed" means the Department of Revenue is reviewing your return for accuracy and completeness. This stage typically takes 10 to 14 days for electronic returns and 4 to 6 weeks for paper returns. The tool will show you the date when you should check back.

"Refund approved and scheduled to be issued" means your return passed review and the Department of Revenue has approved your refund amount. The tool will show you the date the refund will be sent. If you chose direct deposit, the money will go to your bank account on that date or within one business day after. If you chose a check by mail, allow 7 to 10 business days after the issue date for the check to arrive.

"Refund has been issued" means the money has been sent. For direct deposit, this happened on the date shown. For a mailed check, the check was printed and sent to your address on file, and you should receive it within 7 to 10 business days.

"There is a problem with your return" means the Department of Revenue found an issue that prevents them from processing your refund. Common problems include a missing signature, a mismatch between your Social Security number and your name, or income reported on your return that does not match what employers or financial institutions reported to the state. The tool will tell you to contact the Department of Revenue, and you will need to call or visit in person to fix the problem.

Timing: when to expect your refund

The speed of your refund depends on how you filed and how you want to receive the money. Electronic returns with direct deposit are the fastest: the Department of Revenue typically processes these in 10 to 14 days, and the money reaches your bank account within one business day of the issue date. Electronic returns with a mailed check take 10 to 14 days to process, plus 7 to 10 business days for the check to arrive by mail.

Paper returns take longer. The Department of Revenue must receive your return, open it, and scan it into their system before processing begins. This adds 2 to 4 weeks to the timeline. After that, processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. A paper return with direct deposit will reach your account 4 to 8 weeks after you mail it. A paper return with a mailed check will take 4 to 8 weeks to process, plus 7 to 10 days for the check to arrive.

These timelines assume your return has no errors and no missing information. If the Department of Revenue flags a problem, the clock stops until you fix it. Some issues can be resolved by phone or mail; others require you to visit a Department of Revenue office in person.

What to do if your refund is late

If the "Where's My Refund?" tool says your refund was issued more than 30 days ago and you have not received it, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505. Have your Social Security number, the tax year, and the refund amount ready. The Department of Revenue can check whether the refund was sent to the correct address and, if it was mailed as a check, whether it was cashed.

If your refund was issued by direct deposit and has not appeared in your bank account 3 business days after the issue date, call your bank first. Ask them to check whether the deposit was received and rejected (which sometimes happens if your account information changed or was closed). If your bank has no record of the deposit, call the Department of Revenue and provide them with your current bank account information so they can reissue the refund.

If your refund was issued as a check and you have not received it 10 business days after the issue date, the Department of Revenue can issue a replacement check. You will need to sign a form stating that you did not receive the original check. This process takes an additional 7 to 10 business days.

If the tracker shows a problem with your return

When the "Where's My Refund?" tool tells you there is a problem, the message will direct you to contact the Department of Revenue. Call 573-751-3505 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time) to find out what needs to be fixed.

Common problems include a missing signature on the return, a name or Social Security number that does not match state records, or income amounts that conflict with W-2s or 1099s filed by your employer or financial institution. Some of these can be corrected over the phone. Others require you to mail in a corrected return or supporting documents. A few require a visit to a Department of Revenue office.

The Department of Revenue has offices in Jefferson City, Kansas City, and St. Louis. You can find addresses and hours on dor.mo.gov. If you live far from an office, ask whether your issue can be resolved by mail or phone before making a trip.

Direct deposit versus mailed checks

If you have not yet filed your return, you can choose how to receive your refund. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable. The money reaches your bank account within one business day of the issue date, and there is no risk of the check being lost in the mail. You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number on your return.

A mailed check takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive after the issue date. The check is sent to the address you list on your return. If you have moved since you filed, update your address with the Department of Revenue before filing, or the check will go to your old address. If a check is lost or stolen, you will need to contact the Department of Revenue to request a replacement, which adds another 7 to 10 days.

If you filed before deciding which method you wanted, you cannot change it after the fact. The Department of Revenue will send your refund the way you indicated on your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Use either spouse's Social Security number in the "Where's My Refund?" tool. The status will be the same for both of you because the return is processed as a single document. If there is a problem with the return, it affects both refunds.

What if the tracker says my refund was issued but I never received it and it has been more than 30 days?

Call the Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505. If the refund was direct deposited, ask your bank whether it was received and rejected. If it was mailed as a check, the Department of Revenue can verify the address it was sent to and issue a replacement. Bring your Social Security number and the refund amount.

How long does it take to fix a problem flagged on my return?

It depends on the problem. Missing signatures or name mismatches can sometimes be corrected in one phone call. Income discrepancies usually require you to mail in documents or a corrected return, which adds 2 to 4 weeks. Call 573-751-3505 to find out what your specific issue is and how to fix it fastest.

If I filed electronically, why does the tracker still say my return is being processed after two weeks?

Most electronic returns process in 10 to 14 days, but some take longer if the Department of Revenue needs to verify information or if there is a backlog. Check the estimated update date shown in the tracker. If that date has passed and the status has not changed, call 573-751-3505 to ask whether there is a hold on your return.

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparation company to file for me?

No. The processing time is the same regardless of who files your return. Tax preparation companies cannot speed up the Department of Revenue's review. The only way to get your refund faster is to file electronically with direct deposit instead of mailing a paper return with a check.