When you file your federal and state income tax refunds, you may receive a Virginia state income tax refund if your tax withholding is more than what you owe. It can take four to eight weeks to receive your refund once you file your taxes with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Taxation.

If you haven’t received your tax refund within that timeline, there are several ways to check the status of your refund. Read on to learn more about how to check the status of your refund and why it may be delayed.

How To Check the Status of Your Virginia Tax Refund

If you’ve filed your taxes and haven’t received your VA tax refund within eight weeks, you can call the Virginia Department of Taxation or use the online tool to check the status.

Using the "Where's My Refund" Tool

The “Where’s My Refund” tool on the Virginia Department of Taxation’s website is an easy and quick way to check the status of your VA tax refund. The tool is available to use 24 hours a day and has the same information as the department’s customer service representatives.

You’ll need the following information to check the status of your refund:

  • Social Security number
  • Tax year
  • Expected refund amount

If you filed your tax return electronically, you can check the status online after 72 hours. For paper returns, wait four weeks before you check the status.

Calling the Virginia Department of Taxation

If you would like to speak to someone about your VA tax refund, you can call the Virginia Department of Taxation’s automated phone line at 804.367.2428. The phone line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Keep in mind that you may have to wait if there’s a phone queue.

You’ll need to provide your Social Security number, the tax year, and your expected refund amount when you speak to a customer service representative.  

When Can You Expect to Receive Your Virginia Tax Refund

It may be useful to know the processing timeline during the tax filing season before you check the status of your Virginia tax refund. The fastest way to receive your tax refund is by filing your return electronically and requesting direct deposit.

Virginia State Tax Refund Schedule

Here’s the general refund processing schedule if you file your taxes after February 5:

  • Up to four weeks for e-file returns.
  • Up to eight weeks for paper-filed returns.
  • An additional three weeks are required for returns sent by certified mail.

There may be other factors that impact processing times, so allow additional time to process your refund.

Factors Affecting Refund Processing Time

There may be several reasons why your VA tax refund is delayed. Here are a few reasons why your tax refund may be late:

  • The VA Department of Taxation may select your return for additional review and may ask for additional information.
  • There may be errors on your return that need to be corrected.
  • Your return may be missing documents, tax forms, or information.
  • Your return may be manually reviewed if you reported a very high gross income and/or claimed tax credits you may not have actually qualified for or took deductions for expenses that appear excessive or out of the ordinary.
  • You may owe local, state, or IRS tax debt. Your refund may be used to pay off the debt you owe to the government agency.
  • The banking information you provided may be incorrect. If the bank can’t process the deposit, it may take additional time to mail you a paper check.

What To Do if You Haven't Received Your Virginia Tax Refund Yet

If you haven’t received your VA tax refund within the timeline provided by the Virginia Department of Taxation, call the automated phone line or use the online Where’s My Refund tool to check the status.

Keep in mind that the state may request additional tax information, or they may want to verify the information you provided on your return. If you receive a notice from the state about your tax return, we recommend getting in touch with an experienced tax professional to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Seek Professional Assistance if You Haven’t Received your VA Tax Refund

It may take four to eight weeks for you to receive your VA tax refund, depending on how you filed your taxes. If your refund is delayed, start by checking the status online or by calling the automated phone line.

Whether your VA tax payment is delayed because of errors on your return, offset due to wage garnishment, or because the taxation department requires additional information, we recommend getting in touch with a tax advisor.

Another option is to seek help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service if there are tax debt issues you can’t resolve or if there are significant delays.

Explore Additional Financial Resources

While the Virginia state income tax refund can provide some financial relief, there are several other options available for those seeking further assistance. Here are a few resources that may help:

  • Virginia Stimulus Check: Although no new Virginia stimulus checks have been announced, residents may still reduce their taxable income by taking advantage of state tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
  • Debt Relief Plans: If you're struggling with unsecured debts such as high-interest credit cards or medical bills, enrolling in a Virginia debt relief program can help manage and reduce your debt efficiently.
  • Financial Assistance Programs: Virginia offers various financial assistance programs, including cash aid, food benefits, and healthcare resources, to support residents facing economic hardship. These programs can provide crucial help when you need it most.