Where to check your Detroit city tax refund

Detroit processes city income tax refunds through the Detroit Tax Department, and you can check the status of your refund in two ways: online through the city's refund portal or by calling the department directly. The online portal is faster if you have your refund confirmation number or Social Security number handy.

To check online, go to the Detroit Tax Department website and look for the "Refund Status" or "Check Your Refund" section. You will need to enter either your Social Security number and tax year, or your refund confirmation number if you received one when you filed. The system will show you whether your refund is pending, approved, or has been issued.

If you prefer to call, the Detroit Tax Department's main line is (313) 628-2451. Have your Social Security number and the tax year ready. Staff can tell you the exact status and, if there is a delay, what is holding up your refund.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your Detroit city tax refund status online through the Detroit Tax Department website or by calling (313) 628-2451.
  • You will need your Social Security number and tax year, or your refund confirmation number, to look up your status.
  • Most Detroit city tax refunds are issued within 4 to 8 weeks of approval, though processing time varies depending on filing method and whether the return requires review.
  • If your refund is delayed beyond 8 weeks, contact the Tax Department to find out whether your return is under review or if there is a processing backlog.
  • Refunds are issued by check or direct deposit, depending on how you filed and what you selected on your return.

How long Detroit city tax refunds typically take

The timeline for a Detroit city tax refund depends on how you filed and whether your return needs additional review. If you filed electronically and your return was accepted without issues, you can expect your refund within 4 to 6 weeks. Paper returns take longer—usually 6 to 8 weeks or more—because they must be manually processed.

Some returns trigger a review flag if there are inconsistencies, missing information, or amounts that don't match city records. These returns can take 8 to 12 weeks or longer. The Tax Department will contact you if your return is under review, usually by mail or phone.

Keep in mind that the timeline starts from the date your return is received and accepted, not the date you filed it. If you filed by mail, add 1 to 2 weeks for the return to reach the Tax Department before processing begins.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If more than 8 weeks have passed since you filed and the online portal shows no status update, or if the status says "pending" with no movement, contact the Tax Department. Have your return confirmation number or Social Security number ready, and ask specifically whether your return is under review or if there is a processing delay affecting all returns.

Common reasons for delays include missing documentation (such as proof of residency or income verification), a mismatch between your return and W-2 or 1099 forms on file, or a backlog during peak filing season. The Tax Department will tell you what is needed to move your return forward and how to provide it.

If the Tax Department cannot locate your return at all, ask whether it was received. If it was mailed, request that they check the mailroom or ask you to resubmit. If it was filed electronically, ask for the confirmation number and timestamp to verify it went through.

Refund delivery methods for Detroit city taxes

Detroit city tax refunds are issued by check or direct deposit, depending on what you selected when you filed. If you chose direct deposit, the refund goes to the bank account you provided on your return. If you chose a check, it is mailed to the address on file.

Direct deposit refunds typically arrive 3 to 5 business days after the Tax Department issues them. Check refunds take longer—usually 5 to 10 business days after mailing, depending on postal delivery time. If you moved since you filed, update your address with the Tax Department before your refund is issued, or it may go to your old address.

If you selected direct deposit but the funds have not arrived after the refund status shows "issued," contact your bank to confirm the account number on file is correct. Provide the bank with the refund amount and the date it was supposed to arrive. If the account information was wrong, the Tax Department may be able to reissue the refund by check.

If your refund check never arrives

If the refund status shows "issued" but you have not received your check after 10 business days, contact the Tax Department and report it as missing. They can place a stop on the original check and reissue a replacement. You will need to provide your mailing address and confirm the amount of the refund.

The Tax Department can also check whether the check was returned by the post office as undeliverable. If your address has changed, they will reissue to your new address once you provide it. If the check was lost in the mail, a replacement typically takes 2 to 3 weeks to arrive.

Keep any documentation you have—your filed return, confirmation numbers, or screenshots of the online status—in case you need to prove you reported the missing refund. This protects you if there is a dispute later about whether the refund was actually issued.

Amended returns and refund delays

If you filed an amended Detroit city tax return after your original return, your refund timeline resets. The Tax Department must process the amended return separately, which can add 4 to 8 weeks to your wait time. The original refund may be held until the amended return is processed, or it may be issued and then adjusted if the amended return shows you owe money back.

Check the online portal for the status of your amended return separately from your original return. You may need to enter the amended return's confirmation number. If you are unsure whether your amended return was received, call the Tax Department and provide the date you filed it.

What information you need to check your status

To look up your refund status, have one of the following ready: your Social Security number and the tax year you are asking about, or your refund confirmation number. The confirmation number appears on your filed return or in any confirmation email or letter the Tax Department sent you.

If you filed jointly with a spouse, you can check the status using either spouse's Social Security number. If you filed on behalf of someone else or have power of attorney, you may need additional documentation to access their refund status—call the Tax Department to ask what is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track my Detroit city tax refund if I filed electronically?

Yes. Electronic returns are tracked the same way as paper returns—through the online portal or by phone. Electronic returns usually process faster (4 to 6 weeks) because they do not require manual data entry, but the status system works the same for both.

What if the online portal says my refund status is unknown?

An "unknown" status usually means your return has not been received or processed yet. If you filed more than 2 weeks ago, call the Tax Department to confirm they have it. If you filed by mail, it may still be in the mailroom. If you filed electronically, ask for the confirmation number and timestamp.

Can I get my Detroit city tax refund faster if I call instead of checking online?

No. Calling does not speed up processing. The Tax Department can tell you the current status and explain any delays, but the refund timeline is the same whether you check online or by phone. Calling is useful only if you need to report a missing refund or ask why your return is delayed.

What happens if I owe Detroit city taxes instead of getting a refund?

If your return shows you owe money, the Tax Department will send you a bill by mail with payment instructions. You can pay by check, money order, or online through the city's payment portal. If you cannot pay in full, contact the Tax Department to ask about payment plans.

Do I need to do anything special to get my refund if I moved?

Update your address with the Tax Department before your refund is issued. If your refund was already issued to your old address, contact the Tax Department and provide your new address so they can reissue it. Do not rely on mail forwarding for tax refunds—it is faster to update your address directly.