Washington has no state income tax, so there is no state tax refund to expect
Washington does not tax wages or salaries. This means you will not receive a Washington state income tax refund because Washington does not collect state income tax in the first place. If you filed a Washington state tax return and are waiting for money back, you may be confusing this with your federal tax refund, which comes from the IRS.
The only Washington state refunds that exist are for specific taxes like capital gains tax (which applies to certain investment profits over $250,000), property tax relief programs, or sales tax paid on specific purchases. Most people who think they are waiting for a Washington state refund are actually waiting for their federal refund.
Key Takeaways
- Washington has no state income tax, so you will not receive a state income tax refund no matter when you file.
- If you are expecting money back from taxes, it is almost certainly your federal refund from the IRS, not a Washington state refund.
- You can check the status of your federal refund on the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool with your Social Security number and filing status.
- Federal refunds typically arrive within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, though some take longer if the return needs review.
- Washington does tax capital gains on investment profits over $250,000 per year, but this is a separate tax with its own rules.
How to track your federal refund instead
If you filed a federal tax return and are waiting for money back, use the IRS tool called Where's My Refund? on the IRS website at irs.gov. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.
The IRS accepts returns starting in late January each year. Once your return is accepted, the IRS typically processes it within 21 days. However, if your return is selected for review, needs verification, or contains errors, it can take much longer — sometimes several weeks or months. The IRS will contact you by mail if your return needs additional information.
If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, your refund will go to the bank account you listed on your return. If you chose a paper check, it will be mailed to your address on file. Direct deposit is faster and more reliable than waiting for a check through the mail.
Washington capital gains tax refunds
Washington taxes capital gains — the profit you make when you sell an investment like stocks or real estate — but only if your total capital gains in a year exceed $250,000. This is a separate tax from income tax. If you owe capital gains tax or overpaid it, that refund comes from the Washington Department of Revenue, not the IRS.
Capital gains tax returns are filed with your federal return, but the Washington Department of Revenue processes them separately. If you are owed a capital gains tax refund, the department will mail you a check or issue a refund to the account you provided. Processing times vary, but you can contact the Department of Revenue at 360-705-6705 to ask about the status of your specific return.
Property tax relief and sales tax refunds
Washington offers property tax relief programs for seniors, disabled people, and veterans. If you received a property tax relief payment or overpaid property taxes, you may be waiting for a refund from your county assessor's office, not the state. Contact your county assessor directly to check the status of any property tax refund.
Sales tax refunds are rare but can happen if you paid sales tax on an item that was later found to be exempt from tax, or if you returned an item and the store did not process the refund correctly. These refunds come from the retailer or the Department of Revenue depending on the situation. If you believe you are owed a sales tax refund, contact the Department of Revenue at 360-705-6705.
Why you might think you are owed a Washington state refund
Many people file a Washington state tax return even though Washington has no income tax. This happens because some tax software automatically includes a state return, or because people assume all states collect income tax. If you filed a state return and received a confirmation, you may have filed it unnecessarily — but you will not receive a refund because there is no tax to refund.
If you filed a federal return and selected the option to have your refund sent to a savings account or prepaid card instead of a bank account, the refund may take longer to arrive. Some prepaid card services charge fees for receiving deposits, so check your card's terms before using it for a refund.
What to do if your federal refund is delayed
If your federal refund has not arrived within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, check the status using Where's My Refund? on irs.gov. If the tool shows your refund is still being processed, wait a few more days and check again. The IRS updates the tool once per day.
If the tool shows your refund was issued but you have not received it, the refund may be in transit. Direct deposit refunds typically arrive within one to two business days after the IRS issues them, but can take longer depending on your bank. Paper checks take seven to ten business days or longer depending on mail delivery.
If your refund shows as issued but has not arrived after two weeks, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you if the refund was sent and help you track it down if it was lost or sent to the wrong account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Washington state have income tax?
No. Washington does not tax wages, salaries, or most other forms of income. This is why there is no Washington state income tax refund. The only income-like tax Washington has is the capital gains tax on investment profits over $250,000 per year.
How long does a federal tax refund take?
The IRS typically processes returns within 21 days of accepting them. Direct deposit refunds arrive faster than paper checks. If your return needs review or verification, it can take several weeks or months longer. Check Where's My Refund? on irs.gov to see the current status of your specific refund.
What if I filed a Washington state return by mistake?
You will not receive a refund because Washington does not collect state income tax. If you filed one, you can disregard it. If you paid money to file it, contact the tax software company or preparer to see if they can refund the filing fee, but the state will not refund anything because no tax was owed.
Can I speed up my federal refund?
File electronically and choose direct deposit instead of a paper check. This is the fastest way to receive a refund. Mailing a paper return or requesting a paper check will delay your refund by several weeks. You cannot speed up the IRS's processing time itself.
Who do I contact if my refund never arrives?
For a federal refund, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 after checking Where's My Refund? For a capital gains tax refund, contact the Washington Department of Revenue at 360-705-6705. For property tax relief or sales tax issues, contact your county assessor or the Department of Revenue.