How to Check the Status of an Alabama Tax Return

Use your current year's tax form to determine the status of your return.

The weeks between submitting a tax return and receiving a refund can be excruciating, especially if you have concerns regarding your return. Fortunately, many states, including Alabama, have created Web sites and toll-free hotlines designed to alleviate the concerns of taxpayers as well as to check the status of tax returns. Using the information stated on the tax return, you can log in to the Web site or call an automated hotline to quickly gather the desired information.

Things You'll Need

• Current tax return
• Computer with Internet access
• Touch-tone telephone

Instructions

State of Alabama Tax Hotline

1. Obtain your tax return for the current year, as the information on the return is necessary to retrieve the status of a tax return and refund from the hotline. Call the Alabama Department of Revenue hotline at 1-800-558-3912 or 334-353-AL40 (2540).

2. Listen to the prompts on the automated hotline and enter the essential information, which will include the form type used to file the return, Social Security number, filing status and the amount of the refund. An automated message will inform you of the status of your return and refund.

3. Call the hotline once more if the system notification declares the tax return has not been received, taking extra precautions to enter all information accurately. Consider the time allowed since submitting tax materials if the system states the information is not found. Allow plenty of time for the Department of Revenue to receive documentation and enter it into computers. This process may take longer as tax deadlines approach.

4. Visit the Alabama Department of Revenue Web site to check the status of an Alabama tax return on the Internet. Choose the type of tax return filed with the state. Click the link to the appropriate return type to display links concerning tax forms and other information. Choose "Where's My Refund" to enter information related to the tax return in question. The required information consists of tax form type, Social Security number, filing status and amount of the refund. Enter information correctly on the first attempt, as multiple attempts with inaccurate information will cause the system to block further attempts.

Tips & Warnings

• When using the hotline system, the information entered must exactly match the information received by the Alabama Department of Revenue. Without accurate information, access into either system will not be permitted, and the system will inform the taxpayer that the State of Alabama has not received the return.

• Alternatively, the State of Alabama Web site also offers information on tax returns.

References

• Alabama Department of Revenue: Where's My Refund?

Resources

• Alabama Department of Revenue: 24 Hour a Day Income Tax Refund Hotline