How to check the status of your state tax refund: deadlines, amounts, tools, and how to maximize your refund

Millions of people have filed their 2024 tax returns and are now expecting refunds from both their home state and the federal government. Whether you’re preparing to file or looking for tools to track your refund, we’ve got you covered.

Getting the most out of your refund

Both at the federal or state level there are a plethora of tax credits and benefits that you will want to be sure to take advantage of if you are eligible.

Parents and guardians, for example, might be able to claim the Child Tax Credit, will is a partially fundable benefit worth up to $2,000.

Additionally, you will want to be sure to check and see if a similar benefit is available at the state level. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a total of sixteen states offer families a tax credit, in addition to the one available at the federal level which ranges in value from $25 to $3,200 per qualifying child.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can also help to lower one’s tax bill, and you should be sure to check your eligibility.

You might be interested in: Millions of Americans are eligible for more than $12,000 in tax credits: Check if you are eligible for the super EITC

Free filing options

This year filers in more than half of all US states are eligible to submit their return for free using Direct File. The filing software was piloted last year and gives filers a free and trusted option to submit their returns to the IRS.

You can check your eligibility on the IRS' website and is an easy way to save if you typically purchase filing software.

What are the state tax filing deadlines for each US state?

In most cases, unless you have received an automatic extension from the IRS or your state tax authority due to a natural disaster, the tax filing deadline is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

There are a few exceptions:

For those in these states, the only deadline you need to worry about is the federal because their incomes are not taxed by their state government:

How to file a federal and state filing extension

Need more time to submit your return? No problem.

At the federal level, you’ll need to request an extension, which will give you until October 15, 2025, to file. However, the extension only applies to your filing, not to any taxes owed to the IRS. In other words, if you have a tax bill due on April 15, penalties and fees could start accumulating before October.

According to H&R Block, most states don’t require filers to request an extension from the state tax authority if they’ve already filed for a federal extension and don’t owe any state taxes. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check the rules in your state before assuming you won’t be penalized for submitting your return later this year.

How to track your refund

The easiest way to track your federal tax return is by using the IRS' ‘Where’s My Refund' tool. If you file electronically, the IRS will provide an update on the status of your refund twenty-four hours after filing.

To track your state-level return, you will want to check with your state authority.

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