How to check your Missouri tax refund status online
The Missouri Department of Revenue runs a free tool called Where's My Refund? that shows you the status of your state tax refund. You can access it on the department's website without logging in — you only need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.
Go to dor.mo.gov, find the "Where's My Refund?" link under the tax section, and enter those three pieces of information. The tool updates every 24 hours and will tell you whether your return is still being processed, approved, or already sent out. If your refund has been mailed or deposited, the tool shows the date it left the department.
The tool works for both individual income tax returns (Form MO-1040) and amended returns (Form MO-1040X). If you filed an amended return, you'll need to track that separately — it takes longer than an original return because it goes through manual review.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri's Where's My Refund? tool is free and requires only your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
- The tool updates every 24 hours and shows whether your return is processing, approved, or already sent.
- Refunds typically arrive within 21 days of approval if you chose direct deposit, or 4 to 6 weeks if you chose a mailed check.
- If your refund doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-3505 or through their website.
- Amended returns take significantly longer than original returns because they require manual review by a tax specialist.
Timeline from filing to receiving your refund
The speed of your refund depends on how you filed and how you want to receive it. If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, Missouri typically processes your return within 21 days of approval. If you chose a mailed check, add another 4 to 6 weeks for postal delivery after the department approves your return.
Paper returns take longer — the department must scan and enter the information manually, which adds 2 to 4 weeks to the processing time before the 21-day approval window even starts. If you filed a paper return, expect the full process to take 6 to 8 weeks or longer.
The Where's My Refund? tool will show you where you are in this timeline. Once it shows "approved," you can calculate when to expect the money based on your delivery method. Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable option.
What to do if your refund is delayed
If your refund hasn't arrived within 21 days of the approval date shown in Where's My Refund?, or if the tool hasn't updated in more than a week, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue. Call 573-751-3505 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready.
Common reasons for delays include math errors on your return, missing information (like a signature or Social Security number), or a mismatch between your return and IRS records. The department will tell you over the phone if there's a problem and what you need to do to fix it. Some issues can be resolved in one call; others require you to mail in corrected documents.
If you chose direct deposit and your bank rejected the deposit (which happens occasionally when account information is wrong), the department will mail a check instead. This adds 4 to 6 weeks to your wait time. The Where's My Refund? tool will not show this change — you'll only learn about it when the check arrives or when you call to ask.
Direct deposit versus mailed check
Direct deposit is faster and more secure. If you chose direct deposit on your return, the money goes straight into your bank account within 21 days of approval. There's no risk of a check getting lost in the mail, and you don't have to go to the bank to deposit it.
A mailed check takes 4 to 6 weeks after approval. The department prints and mails the check from Jefferson City, and delivery time depends on your location and postal service speed. If the check is lost or damaged in the mail, you'll need to contact the department to request a replacement, which adds another 4 to 6 weeks.
You choose your delivery method when you file your return. If you already filed and want to change from a check to direct deposit, you cannot do so — you'll have to wait for the check and deposit it yourself. If you filed and want to change from direct deposit to a check, contact the department before your refund is approved.
Amended returns and refund tracking
If you filed an amended return (Form MO-1040X), your refund will take much longer. Amended returns don't go through the automated system — a tax specialist at the department reviews them by hand. This process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer if the department needs to contact you for more information.
The Where's My Refund? tool will show your amended return's status, but it updates less frequently than it does for original returns. If the tool hasn't updated in two weeks, that's normal — it doesn't mean there's a problem. Call the department if you haven't heard anything after 12 weeks.
Amended returns are also more likely to trigger a review or audit. If the department has questions about changes you made, they'll contact you by mail. Respond promptly and completely — delays in your response delay your refund.
What information you need to check your status
To use Where's My Refund?, have these three things ready: your nine-digit Social Security number (or ITIN if you're a non-citizen), your filing status from your return (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household), and the exact refund amount you claimed on your return.
The refund amount must match exactly — if you claimed $1,250 and you enter $1,200, the tool won't find your return. If you're not sure of the exact amount, check your copy of the return you filed or look at your filing confirmation email if you filed electronically.
If you filed jointly with a spouse, use the Social Security number of the person whose name appears first on the return. The tool doesn't distinguish between spouses — it will show the status of the joint return either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track my refund if I filed a paper return?
Yes, the Where's My Refund? tool works for paper returns too. However, paper returns take 2 to 4 weeks longer to enter into the system before processing even begins. If you filed a paper return within the last month, the tool may not show it yet — that doesn't mean there's a problem.
What if Where's My Refund? says my refund was approved but I haven't received it?
If you chose direct deposit, wait up to 21 days from the approval date. If you chose a mailed check, wait up to 6 weeks. If you've waited longer than that, call 573-751-3505. Bring your bank account number if you chose direct deposit — the department can verify whether the deposit was sent and whether your bank rejected it.
Can I change my refund delivery method after I file?
You cannot change from direct deposit to a check, or vice versa, after you file. If you need to change your delivery method, contact the department before your refund is approved. Once it's approved, the method you chose on your return is locked in.
How do I know if my amended return was received?
Mail your amended return to the address shown on Form MO-1040X. The department doesn't send a confirmation that it arrived. You can call 573-751-3505 about two weeks after you mailed it to confirm they received it, or wait for the Where's My Refund? tool to show it — this can take 3 to 4 weeks for paper amended returns.
What if the Where's My Refund? tool says my refund was sent but I never received it?
If you chose direct deposit, your bank may have rejected the deposit. Call the department with your bank account number and routing number so they can investigate. If you chose a mailed check, the check may have been lost in the mail — the department can issue a replacement, but it will take another 4 to 6 weeks to arrive.