How to find your Vermont tax refund

The Vermont Department of Taxes runs a refund tracker on their website where you can see the status of your return in real time. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married, head of household), and the exact refund amount you expected. The tracker updates every few business days, so checking more than once a week usually will not show new information.

Go to tax.vermont.gov and look for the "Where's My Refund?" tool on the homepage. Enter your information exactly as it appears on your tax return. The system will tell you whether your return is still being processed, approved and scheduled for payment, or already sent.

If you filed electronically, the tracker usually shows activity within 24 hours of submission. Paper returns take longer to enter the system — sometimes two to three weeks — so the tracker may show nothing at first even though your return arrived safely.

Key Takeaways

  • Vermont's "Where's My Refund?" tool at tax.vermont.gov shows your return status and expected payment date if your refund has been approved.
  • Electronic returns usually appear in the tracker within one business day, while paper returns can take two to three weeks to enter the system.
  • The tracker updates every few business days, so you do not need to check more than once a week.
  • If the tracker shows nothing after three weeks for a paper return, or two weeks for an electronic return, contact the Department of Taxes directly.
  • Refunds are typically issued within 21 days of approval, either by direct deposit or check depending on how you filed.

What the tracker tells you at each stage

When you first check the tracker, it will show one of three messages. "Return received and being processed" means the Department of Taxes has your return but has not finished reviewing it yet. This is normal and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on how busy the department is and whether your return needs additional review.

"Return approved — refund scheduled for payment" means the department has finished checking your return and found no problems. Your refund has been approved and will be sent on the date shown. This date is usually within 21 days of approval, though it can be longer during tax season when the department processes thousands of returns at once.

"Refund sent" means your money has left the state's account. If you chose direct deposit, it should arrive in your bank account within one to three business days. If you are receiving a check, allow five to seven business days for it to arrive by mail, longer if you live far from Montpelier.

Why your refund might be delayed

The most common reason for a delay is a mismatch between what you reported and what the IRS reported to Vermont. This happens when your federal return and state return do not match — for example, if you reported different income, different dependents, or a different filing status on each one. The department will hold your state return until the federal return is final, which can add several weeks.

A second common reason is a missing or incorrect Social Security number, bank account number, or address. If the department cannot match your return to your identity or cannot send your refund to the account you listed, they will set it aside for manual review. This also takes longer.

Less commonly, the department may flag your return for random verification or because you claimed a credit that requires additional documentation. If this happens, the tracker will usually say "return received and being processed" for longer than normal. The department will contact you by mail if they need documents from you.

What to do if your refund is very late

If the tracker shows your refund was sent more than 10 business days ago and you have not received it, contact the Department of Taxes. Call their refund line at 802-828-2865 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your Social Security number and return information ready.

If you filed electronically and the tracker still shows nothing after two weeks, or you filed on paper and it has been more than three weeks, also call the department. They can tell you whether your return was received and why it has not appeared in the tracker yet.

If a check was sent but never arrived, the department can issue a replacement. You will need to wait a certain amount of time before they will do this — usually 30 days from the date shown in the tracker — but they can start the process sooner if you can show that the check was lost or stolen.

Direct deposit versus check payment

When you filed your return, you chose how to receive your refund: direct deposit to a bank account or a check by mail. Direct deposit is faster — usually one to three business days after the tracker shows "refund sent" — because the money goes straight into your account electronically.

A check takes longer because it has to be printed, mailed, and then deposited or cashed by you. The Department of Taxes mails checks from Montpelier, so delivery time depends on where you live. Within Vermont, expect five to seven business days. Out of state, allow up to two weeks.

You cannot change your payment method after you file. If you chose a check but want direct deposit instead, you will have to wait for the check to arrive, deposit it, and then update your banking information for next year's return.

If you think there is an error on your return

If you filed your return and then realized you made a mistake — you reported the wrong income, forgot a dependent, or claimed a credit you should not have — you can file an amended return. This is done on Form VT-1040-X, which you can find on the Department of Taxes website.

An amended return takes longer to process than an original return because the department has to compare it to your original filing and make sure the changes are correct. If your amended return results in a larger refund, you will receive the difference. If it results in a smaller refund or money owed, the department will adjust accordingly.

Do not file an amended return just because you want to change your payment method or because you are impatient for your refund. File an amended return only if there is an actual error in your income, deductions, credits, or personal information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you filed electronically, the tracker usually shows activity within one business day. Once approved, refunds are typically sent within 21 days. Direct deposit arrives in one to three business days; checks take five to seven business days in Vermont or up to two weeks out of state. During tax season, the entire process can take longer.

What if the tracker says my refund was sent but I never got it?

Wait at least 10 business days after the tracker shows "refund sent" before contacting the department, since mail and bank processing take time. If it has been longer than that, call 802-828-2865. If you received a check, the department can issue a replacement after 30 days. If it was direct deposit, they can investigate whether the money reached your bank.

Can I change my refund from a check to direct deposit?

No, you cannot change the payment method after you file. You will have to wait for the check to arrive, deposit it yourself, and then use direct deposit on next year's return. If you have not filed yet, you can choose direct deposit when you file to speed up payment.

Why does the tracker show nothing even though I filed weeks ago?

If you filed electronically, the tracker should show something within one business day. If you filed on paper, it can take two to three weeks for the return to be entered into the system. If it has been longer than that, call the Department of Taxes at 802-828-2865 to confirm they received your return.

What happens if my federal and state returns do not match?

Vermont will hold your state return until your federal return is final. This can add several weeks to processing time. The department will not contact you unless they need additional information from you. Once the federal return is finalized, your state return will be processed and your refund sent.