Where to check your Virginia and federal refund status

Virginia and the federal government track your refund separately, so you will need to check both places. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) handles your federal refund, and the Virginia Department of Taxation handles your state refund. Each has its own tracking tool, and they do not share information with each other.

For your federal refund, go to the IRS website at irs.gov and use their "Where's My Refund?" tool. 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 per day, usually overnight.

For your Virginia refund, go to the Virginia Department of Taxation website at tax.virginia.gov and look for their refund status tool. You will need your Social Security number and the refund amount. Virginia updates its system less frequently than the IRS, so you may see delays in the information shown.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS tracks federal refunds at irs.gov using their "Where's My Refund?" tool, which requires your Social Security number and refund amount.
  • Virginia tracks state refunds through the Virginia Department of Taxation website at tax.virginia.gov with the same information.
  • Federal refunds typically arrive within 21 days of being approved, but Virginia refunds may take longer depending on the time of year.
  • If your refund shows as approved but has not arrived after the stated timeframe, contact the IRS or Virginia Department of Taxation directly rather than waiting.
  • Both the IRS and Virginia allow you to check status by phone if you do not have internet access.

What the refund status tool actually tells you

The tracking tools show you where your refund is in the processing pipeline, not whether you will receive it. The IRS tool displays one of three statuses: "Accepted" (your return was received and is being processed), "Approved" (your return was approved and your refund is being prepared), or "Sent" (your refund was sent to your bank or mailed as a check).

Virginia's tool works similarly but may show fewer details. Once your refund shows as "Sent," the actual arrival time depends on your bank or the mail. Direct deposit refunds usually arrive within one to three business days after the IRS or Virginia sends them. Paper checks take longer — typically five to seven business days from the mail date, sometimes longer if your address is rural.

If your refund shows as "Approved" but you do not see a send date, the system is still processing it. This is normal and does not mean something is wrong.

How long refunds actually take

The IRS aims to issue federal refunds within 21 days of approving your return, but the actual time varies. If you filed early in the tax season (January or February), your refund may arrive faster because the IRS has fewer returns to process. If you filed closer to the April important date, expect the full 21 days or longer.

Virginia refunds often take longer than federal refunds. The state does not process returns as quickly as the IRS, especially during peak filing season. You may wait four to eight weeks for a Virginia refund, even if your federal refund arrived quickly.

If you chose direct deposit, your refund arrives faster than if you requested a paper check. The IRS and Virginia both recommend direct deposit for this reason.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If the tracking tool shows your refund as "Approved" and the stated timeframe has passed, contact the IRS or Virginia Department of Taxation directly. For the IRS, call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you if there is a problem with your return or if your refund was sent but not received.

For Virginia, call the Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031. They can check whether your state return is still being processed or if your refund was sent. If Virginia shows your refund as sent but you have not received it after two weeks, ask them to investigate whether it was mailed or deposited correctly.

If the IRS or Virginia confirms your refund was sent but you never received it, you may need to file a claim or request a replacement check. Both agencies can walk you through this process over the phone.

Why your refund might be held or delayed

The IRS holds refunds for several reasons. If your return has errors — a mismatched Social Security number, an incorrect filing status, or math mistakes — the IRS will flag it and delay processing while they verify the information. If you claimed a refundable tax credit (like the Earned Income Tax Credit), the IRS is required by law to hold your entire refund until mid-February, even if you filed in January.

Virginia may delay your refund if there is a discrepancy between your federal and state returns, or if the state is verifying income information. If you owe Virginia taxes from a previous year, the state may use your refund to pay that debt before sending you the remainder.

If you filed a paper return instead of electronically, both the IRS and Virginia take longer to process it. Paper returns are scanned and entered by hand, which adds weeks to processing time.

Checking your refund without internet access

If you do not have internet access, you can check your federal refund status by phone. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and follow the prompts to check your refund. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. The automated system will tell you the current status and, if your refund has been sent, the date it was mailed or deposited.

For Virginia, call 804-367-8031 during business hours and ask to speak with someone about your refund status. Have the same information ready. Virginia's phone line may have longer wait times during peak tax season.

What happens if you never receive your refund

If the IRS or Virginia confirms your refund was sent but you never received it, the next step depends on how it was sent. If it was direct deposited, contact your bank to see if the deposit was rejected or sent to the wrong account. If it was mailed as a check, wait 60 days from the send date before assuming it is lost — mail delays happen, especially during busy seasons.

After 60 days, contact the IRS or Virginia again and ask them to issue a replacement refund. They will verify that the original refund was sent and then process a new one. This can take another four to six weeks. Keep records of your original return and any correspondence with the IRS or Virginia in case you need to prove you did not receive the first refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my refund status the same day I file?

No. The IRS and Virginia both need time to receive and scan your return before the tracking tool will show it. If you filed electronically, your return usually appears in the system within 24 hours. If you filed on paper, it may take two to three weeks before you can track it.

Why does my federal refund show as approved but Virginia has not updated yet?

The IRS and Virginia process returns on different schedules. The IRS typically processes faster, so your federal refund may be approved and sent while Virginia is still reviewing your state return. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong with your Virginia return.

What if the refund amount shown in the tool does not match what I calculated?

The IRS or Virginia may have adjusted your refund if you made an error on your return, owed back taxes, or had other debts that were offset. Contact the IRS or Virginia to ask why the amount changed. They can explain what was deducted and why.

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

No. Once your refund shows as sent, it is on its way to you. If you chose direct deposit, it will go to your bank account. If you chose a paper check, it will arrive in the mail. You do not need to take any action.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS or Virginia?

No. Calling does not speed up processing. The IRS and Virginia process refunds in the order they receive returns, and calling does not change that. However, calling is useful if your refund is delayed or if you need to report that you never received it.