How to Track Down Your State Income Tax Return
It is not uncommon for taxpayers to experience a delay in the processing of their state income tax returns. These delays could be due to the complex nature of the return, an error on the return, or even the sheer volume of returns being received by your state's Department of Revenue. Fortunately, most states have processes in place that allow you to effectively track your return.
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Instructions
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Go online to the home page of your state Revenue Office to check your tax return status online. Retrieve your Social Security number before logging on as you will be required to enter it for security purposes. If the site does not provide you with any information or cannot locate a return for you, it may be time to make a call to the state office.
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Call your state Income Tax Office to request the status of your income tax return. For example, Georgia, like most states, has a customer service line, which is available to answer income tax questions. When you speak to the representative, be sure to ask him about the general return processing time frames for your state This information provides you with a benchmark as to when your return should complete processing.
In some cases, mailed returns are lost by the submission processing office at the state's Department of Revenue. If the customer service representative cannot locate your return in the system, you may need to mail in a second return. Also, be sure to provide the customer support representative with any information, which could be helpful in tracking your return, such as the date it was mailed or electronically filed, whether it is a current year or prior year return, and if it's a joint return, the name of the person who is listed as primary on the return.
In addition to calling the customer service line, many state tax offices also offer an automated line where you can call and check on the status of your income tax returns.
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Go to your local Department of Revenue office and check on your return in person. Again, using the Georgia Department of Revenue as an example, most state tax offices offer walk-in services. Be sure to check with your local Department of Revenue before making the trip because some offices require that you make an appointment before coming.
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