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SC taxpayer guide

South Carolina Tax Refund Status: Track Your SC Refund

Use the link below to check your refund with South Carolina Department of Revenue. You’ll also find typical wait times, the information to have ready, and the right number to call for help.

Refund link and agency details reviewed September 3, 2026.

Check your South Carolina refund

Have the information from your filed return nearby. The button below opens the refund page run by South Carolina Department of Revenue.

Check my SC refund on SCDOR's website

Opens mydorway.dor.sc.gov in a new tab.

What you need before you check

Use the values exactly as they appear on your filed South Carolina return.

  • Social Security number or ITIN from your South Carolina return
  • Exact refund amount requested
  • Tax year you want to check

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 stageHow long it usually takes
E-filed returnsAllow up to 8 weeks
Paper returnsPaper returns may take longer than 8 weeks
First search availableCheck after the return has been received and entered in MyDORWAY

What your South Carolina refund status means

SCDOR 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 South Carolina 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.
  • SCDOR 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 SCDOR

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 2Read the full tracker message and your mail. The agency may already be waiting for a specific response.
  3. 3Gather the return before calling. Have the tax year, expected refund, filing date, acceptance confirmation, and any notice number available.
  4. 4Call the published agency number. South Carolina Department of Revenue 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 SCDOR. 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 SCDOR about its trace or replacement process rather than filing another return.

Read the complete missing refund payment guide →

Your state and federal refunds are separate

This page tracks only your South Carolina 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 South Carolina Department of Revenue

Agency nameSouth Carolina Department of Revenue
Phone844-898-8542
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Mailing addressSouth Carolina Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, SC 29214-0100
Official websitedor.sc.gov

Frequently asked questions

How long does a South Carolina tax refund take?

For an e-filed return, allow up to 8 weeks. For a paper return, paper returns may take longer than 8 weeks. A return that needs corrections or an identity check can take longer.

Why is my South Carolina refund still processing?

The return may still be in the normal processing window, or SCDOR 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 South Carolina refund?

Call South Carolina Department of Revenue at 844-898-8542. Phone assistance is available monday through friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time. Have a copy of your return and any letter you received nearby.

Why is my South Carolina refund amount different?

South Carolina Department of Revenue 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.