MD taxpayer guide
Check your Maryland tax refund
Check your refund securely with Comptroller of Maryland. Have your filed return nearby.
Opens www.marylandcomptroller.gov in a new tab.
Independent guide. Not a government website.
What you need before you check
Use the values exactly as they appear on your filed Maryland return.
- A copy of your filed Maryland return and the tax year
- Your Maryland Tax Connect sign-in details if you use an account
- Follow the current refund lookup instructions on the Comptroller’s website
For your security, only enter your Social Security number and return details after you reach the state website shown above.
Expected processing timelines
These are the agency’s usual timeframes. A return may take longer if it needs corrections or an identity check.
| Filing or lookup stage | How long it usually takes |
|---|---|
| E-filed returns | Most electronically filed returns are processed faster than paper returns |
| Paper returns | Allow about 30 days before checking a mailed return |
| First search available | Use Maryland Tax Connect for current refund status and account information |
Official guidance
When will my Maryland refund arrive?
Uses only the state’s published processing window. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
Enter the date your return was accepted (e-file) or mailed (paper).
Filed in more than one state? Use the multi-state refund date estimator.
How Maryland compares with nearby states
Worked or lived in more than one state? Each return is processed separately on its own schedule.
| State | E-file (published max) | Paper (published max) |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Varies | Varies |
| Delaware | Varies | Varies |
| District of Columbia | 6 weeks | Varies |
| Pennsylvania | Varies | Varies |
| Virginia | 4 weeks | 10 weeks |
| West Virginia | 10 weeks | Varies |
What your Maryland refund status means
Comptroller may use slightly different wording, but most refunds move through the same basic stages.
Received or accepted
Your return reached the state system. This confirms receipt, not that the refund has been approved.
Processing
The agency is checking calculations, withholding, credits, identity information, and possible debts. A processing message is normal while you are inside the published timeframe.
Approved
The state has calculated the refund. Payment may still need to be scheduled, so approval is not necessarily the deposit or mailing date.
Issued or sent
The payment has left the agency. Allow your bank time to post a deposit or the postal service time to deliver a check.
Why a Maryland refund may take longer
A longer wait does not automatically mean your return was selected for an audit. Routine verification can extend the timeline, especially during the busiest filing weeks.
- The withholding on the return does not yet match an employer’s W-2 or 1099 filing.
- A name, Social Security number, filing status, or dependent entry needs review.
- A credit or estimated payment needs supporting information.
- Comptroller sent an identity-verification or information-request letter.
- The return was mailed and still needs manual entry.
- Some or all of the refund may be applied to an eligible state debt.
Do not file a second return just because the status has not changed. A duplicate can make the account harder to resolve. Amend only when the filed return is actually incorrect and the state instructions say an amendment is required.
When to contact Comptroller
Calling is most useful after the normal timeframe has passed, when the tracker tells you to call, or when you have a letter or payment problem that requires action.
- 1Check the date your return was accepted. For paper returns, use the state’s receipt and processing guidance rather than the date you mailed it.
- 2Read the full tracker message and your mail. The agency may already be waiting for a specific response.
- 3Gather the return before calling. Have the tax year, expected refund, filing date, acceptance confirmation, and any notice number available.
- 4Call the published agency number. Comptroller of Maryland can tell you whether information is missing, but representatives may not be able to promise an exact payment date.
After your refund is issued
If you chose direct deposit
Check the account and routing numbers on the filed return. If the tracker says deposited but the money is missing, ask the bank to search for the payment before calling Comptroller. A closed or invalid account may cause the bank to return the money and the state to mail a check.
If you chose a paper check
Allow the state’s stated postal delivery time and verify the mailing address on your return. If you moved or the check does not arrive, ask Comptroller about its trace or replacement process rather than filing another return.
Your state and federal refunds are separate
This guide links to the tracker for your Maryland return. A federal refund comes from the U.S. Treasury and must be checked through the IRS. The two payments can have different amounts, statuses, and arrival dates; receiving one does not mean the other is late.
Contact Comptroller of Maryland
| Agency name | Comptroller of Maryland |
|---|---|
| Phone | 410-260-7980 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Mailing address | Comptroller of Maryland, 110 Carroll Street, Annapolis, MD 21411 |
| Official website | www.marylandcomptroller.gov |
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Maryland tax refund take?
For an e-filed return, most electronically filed returns are processed faster than paper returns. For a paper return, allow about 30 days before checking a mailed return. A return that needs corrections or an identity check can take longer.
Why is my Maryland refund still processing?
The return may still be in the normal processing window, or Comptroller may be checking an error, missing information, or your identity. Check the tracker for a message before calling.
How do I talk to someone about my Maryland refund?
Call Comptroller of Maryland at 410-260-7980. Phone assistance is available monday through friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern time. Have a copy of your return and any letter you received nearby.
Why is my Maryland refund amount different?
Comptroller of Maryland may correct information on the return or use part of a refund to pay an eligible debt. Read the agency’s notice for the exact reason and instructions.