Check your refund status through the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration
The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) runs a refund tracker on its website where you can see the status of your state tax refund. Go to revenue.nh.gov, find the "Where's My Refund?" tool, and enter your Social Security number and the exact refund amount you expect. The tool will tell you whether your return is still being processed, approved and scheduled for payment, or already sent.
The tracker updates once per day, usually overnight. If your return was filed electronically, you should see it appear in the system within 24 hours of submission. Paper returns take longer to enter the system — typically 2 to 4 weeks after the DRA receives them, depending on mail delivery and processing volume.
If the tool shows your refund as approved and scheduled, it will display the payment date. New Hampshire issues refunds by direct deposit or check, depending on what you selected on your return. Direct deposits typically arrive within 3 to 5 business days of the payment date; checks arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- The New Hampshire DRA's "Where's My Refund?" tool at revenue.nh.gov is the official source for your refund status and shows whether your return is being processed, approved, or already sent.
- Electronic returns appear in the system within 24 hours; paper returns take 2 to 4 weeks to enter the system after the DRA receives them.
- Once approved, direct deposit refunds arrive in 3 to 5 business days and checks arrive in 7 to 10 business days from the payment date shown in the tracker.
- If the tracker shows no record of your return after the expected timeframe, contact the DRA at 603-230-5920 to confirm they received it.
What to do if your refund is delayed beyond the normal timeline
If you filed electronically and the tracker still shows no record of your return after 3 business days, or if you filed by mail and it has been more than 4 weeks since you mailed it, call the DRA at 603-230-5920. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The DRA can confirm whether they received your return and, if they did, where it is in the processing queue.
Common reasons for delays include math errors on the return, missing information (such as a spouse's Social Security number if filing jointly), or a mismatch between the name and Social Security number on your return and what the IRS has on file. The DRA will tell you if any of these issues apply to your return and what you need to do to fix it.
If you filed by mail and the DRA has no record of receiving your return, ask whether they recommend resubmitting it or filing electronically instead. Resubmitting by mail carries the same risk of delay; filing electronically is faster and gives you immediate confirmation that the DRA received it.
How to file a missing refund claim if your check never arrives
If the tracker shows your refund was sent by check but you never received it, wait 10 business days from the payment date before taking action. Checks sometimes arrive late due to mail delays. After 10 business days have passed, call the DRA at 603-230-5920 and report the missing check. Have the payment date from the tracker ready.
The DRA can place a stop on the original check and issue a replacement. This process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. You will receive the replacement by mail at the address on your return. If you have moved since filing, update your address with the DRA before requesting the replacement, or the new check will go to your old address.
Do not cash the original check if it arrives after you have reported it missing. Contact the DRA immediately to let them know, as cashing both checks is considered fraud and can result in penalties.
Direct deposit refunds that don't arrive on time
Direct deposit refunds should arrive in your bank account within 3 to 5 business days of the payment date shown in the tracker. If the payment date has passed and the money has not arrived, first check with your bank to confirm they received the deposit. Some banks take an extra day or two to post deposits, or the deposit may have been rejected if your account information was incorrect on your return.
Call your bank's customer service line and give them the payment date from the DRA tracker. Ask them to search their records for an incoming ACH deposit from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. If they find a rejected deposit, they can tell you why it was rejected — usually because the account number or routing number was wrong, or the account was closed.
If your bank found a rejected deposit, contact the DRA at 603-230-5920 and report it. The DRA will reissue your refund by check instead. If your bank found no record of any deposit attempt, the DRA may not have sent it yet; ask them to check the status of your return again and confirm the payment date.
Refund timeline for different filing methods
| Filing Method | Time to Appear in Tracker | Time to Process and Approve | Time to Receive After Payment Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic filing | Within 24 hours | 2 to 3 weeks (typical) | 3 to 5 business days (direct deposit) or 7 to 10 business days (check) |
| Paper filing by mail | 2 to 4 weeks after DRA receives it | 2 to 3 weeks after entering system | 3 to 5 business days (direct deposit) or 7 to 10 business days (check) |
These timelines are typical but not may provide. During tax season (January through April), processing times may be longer if the DRA receives a high volume of returns. If your return requires manual review — for example, because you claimed a large credit or reported business income — it may take longer to process.
The total time from filing to receiving your refund can range from 3 weeks for an electronic return with direct deposit to 8 weeks or more for a paper return by check. Knowing which method you used helps you understand where your refund is in the timeline.
What information you need to check your refund status
To use the "Where's My Refund?" tool, you will need your Social Security number and the exact refund amount you expect to receive. The refund amount is the number shown on your return as your total refund, not the amount of tax you paid or your income. If you are unsure of the amount, check your copy of the return you filed or look at the confirmation email the DRA sent if you filed electronically.
If you filed jointly, use the primary taxpayer's Social Security number. The tool does not require your spouse's information. If you do not have your refund amount memorized, you can look it up by logging into your account on the DRA website if you have one, or by calling 603-230-5920 and asking a representative to tell you the amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track my federal and state refunds in the same place?
No. Your federal refund is tracked through the IRS at irs.gov using their "Where's My Refund?" tool. Your New Hampshire state refund is tracked separately through the DRA at revenue.nh.gov. You will need to check both sites if you filed both federal and state returns.
What if I filed my return but the tracker says it has no record of it?
If you filed electronically, wait 24 hours and check again. If you filed by mail, wait until 4 weeks have passed since you mailed it, then call the DRA at 603-230-5920 to confirm they received it. Bring your mailing date and a copy of the return if you have one.
Can I change my refund from a check to direct deposit after I file?
No. The refund method is locked in when you file. If you filed for a check but want direct deposit instead, you cannot change it for that year's refund. For future years, you can select direct deposit when you file your return.
How long does it take to get a refund if I amend my return?
Amended returns take longer to process than original returns — typically 4 to 6 weeks after the DRA receives them. File an amended return by mail or through tax software that supports New Hampshire amendments. Once filed, you can track it using the same "Where's My Refund?" tool by entering your amended refund amount.
What if I owe taxes instead of getting a refund?
If you owe, the DRA will send you a bill by mail. You can pay online at revenue.nh.gov, by phone at 603-230-5920, or by mail. Payments made online or by phone are processed immediately; payments by mail take 1 to 2 weeks to reach the DRA.