Individual Refunds

Check Your Refund Status

Use Where's My Refund in our TransAction Portal (TAP) to see whether your refund has been approved or denied, and the amount of your refund.

Check refund status in TAP →

You'll Need

  • Your filing status
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your expected refund amount

Where's My Refund shows approval, denial, and amount only. It updates each weeknight.

When to expect your refund

Your refund status appears in Where's My Refund once your return is processed. It can take up to 90 days to issue your refund.

If you e-filed

~2 weeks
Status may be available two weeks after filing.

If you filed by paper

~18 weeks
Status may be available 18 weeks after filing.
First-time Montana filers receive a paper check. To protect against fraud, first-time filers cannot receive direct deposit. Expect additional mailing time.

Reasons your refund may be delayed

  •  We need to verify your identity
    If you receive a verification letter, respond promptly so we can release your refund.
  • There's an error on your return
    Math errors, missing forms, or mismatched information can hold up processing.
  • You're a first-time Montana filer
    First-time filers receive a paper check, which adds mailing time.

Check Where's My Refund in TAP for any actions you may need to take, like responding to a verification letter.

Offset Refunds

An offset is when your refund is used to pay a debt you owe to a state or local government agency.

An offset is money taken to pay a debt, not a bill. You do not need to pay the balance listed in the offset letter—the money has already been taken. Calling in to make a payment will not release the offset.

Have questions about an offset?

If you have questions about the debt or believe the offset should not have occurred, contact the agency that requested the offset.

If the agency agrees to release the refund, they must contact us directly. 

Learn more about offsets and other agency debts