Find out how to check the status of your Alabama refund and how long you can expect to wait
Waiting for a tax refund can be one of the most frustrating experiences out there. After all the hard work of preparing taxes, we want our money now – not several weeks or months from now.
The IRS is notorious for delays, but state tax authorities are just as bad, if not worse. Unfortunately Alabama is no exception – delays of several months are not uncommon.
Here’s how to track the status of your tax refund as it wends its way through the state bureaucracy and how long you can expect to wait to get your money.
How to check the status of your refund
You can search for the status of your refund online at the Alabama Department of Revenue website. Just follow this link and then click on the “Where’s My Refund?” link under the individuals section of Taxpayer Services. In order to find your refund you will need to enter your Social Security number and the refund amount you expect to receive.
If you prefer to use the phone, you can call the refund hotline at 1-800-558-3912 to find out the status of your refund. This is an automated system and will not put you into contact with a live human being. You can also try calling 334-242-1099, the number listed for questions about “my Alabama tax,” if you would like to speak to a live agent.
How long does it take?
You should wait at least six weeks after you file to check the status of your refund to make sure the Department of Revenue has had enough time to process your return.
The Department of Revenue says it takes about three months to process a paper return and issue the refund. The time is slightly less for e-filed returns. If it hasn’t been three months since you filed yet, don’t bother to contact the Department of Revenue about your refund. They will just tell you to wait.
How to get your refund faster
Remember, as with federal returns, the fastest way to get your refund is to e-file. Not only does e-filing deliver your return to the Department of Revenue instantly, it also cuts down on processing time once it’s there.
Also try to file your return as early in the season as possible. Processing times tend to be much shorter early in the season before the mad rush of returns near the deadline. Plus, you’ll get your money sooner.
If you still haven’t filed your Alabama state tax return, or you need to file one from a previous year, you can do so right here on RapidTax.
Photo via Pat David on Flickr.
My refund was approved on the 18th of this month. I am having direct deposited. How long after its approved should I see it in my bank?
Once your state approves your refund, you can expect your direct deposit within the next few days. You can call your bank to see if they have a pending deposit for you. Further, you can also contact your state to confirm that they actually released your money and the time it is expected to be disbursed.
We electronically our taxes on January 27. We have still not received our check. We check and it said it was received and approved. So when can we expect to received it. People that have filed in the last month have already gotten their check.
Hi Chad,
Unfortunately, Alabama (along with some other states), are taking extra precautions when it comes to processing and issuing state refunds. I have an article that goes into more depth about this.
I filed my state tax the first of February, still haven’t received it. Why is it taking so long to get my state check. I e-filed it but wanted a paper check, can anyone tell me does that take long?
Hi Sherrie,
Since this is happening to more than a handful of taxpayers this year, we took a look into what could be causing the delays. Apparently, certain states are taking extra precautions this year to ensure that no fraudulent activity is taking place. Check out more information about it HERE.
On the website where’s my alabama return it says that my return was issued on March 15th 2016 an if I chose direct deposit then to give an 5 days an if I chose paper check 7 to 10 days. I chose direct deposit an it’s March 21, 2016 an I still have no deposit in my account. Do you know if there is a reason it would not be in my account yet…..
Hi Sabrina,
Since the state has already issued your refund, I strongly suggest contacting your bank. It is suggested to allow several additional business days to see your direct deposited refund. This time typically allows the bank to clear the amount. It is possible that your bank requires more than 5 business days.
I had to mail my Alabama return in, which was done January 29, 2016, I checked the status today & it said it was approved March 15, 2016 and I would “receive my refund by business course” what does that mean??
Hi Robert,
This simply means that you will receive your refund in the typical time frame that it takes for taxpayers in your situation. Tax offices will generally not give you a specific delivery day since this depends on other factors such as the postal service (for checks) and your bank clearing time (for direct deposit).