Where's my illinois tax return? All you need to know about Illinois tax return
Updated on 06 March 2025
An Illinois tax return is a form filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) to report your income, deductions, credits, and calculate your state income tax liability for a specific tax year. Illinois residents, as well as non-residents who earned income in Illinois, are required to file a state tax return if they meet certain income thresholds or other filing requirements.
It's important to understand your Illinois state tax obligations, including filing requirements, deadlines, deductions, and credits available to you. You can visit the Illinois Department of Revenue website or consult with a tax professional for more detailed information and assistance regarding Illinois tax returns.
To find the status of your Illinois tax return you can check online or by phone.
Who has to file Illinois state tax return?
If you live or work in Illinois, you may be required to file an Illinois state tax return in addition to your federal tax return. Illinois imposes an individual income tax based on a flat rate, meaning all taxpayers pay the same percentage regardless of income level. Understanding whether you need tax return filing is essential to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.
You are required to file an Illinois state tax return (IL-1040) if you were a full-year or part-year resident and earned income while living in the state. Additionally, you must file an Illinois state tax return if you are a non-resident but have earned income in Illinois.
You may not need to file an Illinois state tax return if you did not earn income in Illinois or you earned below the filing threshold. You also do not need to file an Illinois state tax return if you lived in a state that has a reciprocal agreement with Illinois (e.g., Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, or Wisconsin) and only earned wages from an employer in Illinois.
Online refund status in Illinois
To check the status of your Illinois state tax return online, you can use the "Check Your Refund" tool provided by the Illinois Department of Revenue. This online tool allows you to track the processing status of your Illinois state tax refund.
To check the status of your Illinois tax return visit https://mytax.illinois.gov and look for the “Check Your Refund” tool. You will need to enter the required information to access your refund status including your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and the exact amount of your expected refund.
After entering your information, click on the "Check Refund Status" button to view the status of your tax refund. The tool will display updates on your refund, such as when it was received, approved, or issued.
Please note that it may take time for the IDOR to process state tax returns and issue refunds. Additionally, refund processing times may vary depending on factors such as the filing method (e-filed returns typically have faster processing times than paper returns) and the accuracy of the information provided on the tax return.
If you've already checked the status of your Illinois tax return and have concerns you can contact the IDOR directly.
Illinois refund status by a phone call
If you have questions or concerns about your refund status, contacting the Illinois Department of Revenue directly through the Taxpayer Assistance Hotline at 1-800-732-8866 is the best way to obtain accurate information and assistance.
When you call, be prepared to provide your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and the exact amount of your expected refund. This information will be used to verify your identity and retrieve your refund status.
After providing the required information, an automated message will provide the status of your Illinois state tax refund including whether your refund has been processed, approved, or issued.
If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, you may have the option to speak with a customer service representative. Follow the prompts to connect with a representative who can address your questions or concerns about your refund status.
What can cause a delay in my Illinois state refund?
Several factors can contribute to delays in receiving your Illinois state tax refund. Some common reasons for delays include:
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Accuracy of Information - If there are errors or inconsistencies in the information provided on your tax return, such as incorrect Social Security numbers, incorrect banking information for direct deposit, or mathematical errors, it can delay the processing of your refund.
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Identity Verification - The IDOR may require additional verification to confirm your identity before processing your refund. This can occur if there are concerns about identity theft or fraudulent activity associated with your tax return.
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Filing Method - The method of filing your tax return can affect processing times. E-filed returns generally have faster processing times compared to paper returns. If you filed a paper return by mail, it may take longer to process and issue your refund.
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Payment Method - If you requested a paper check for your refund instead of direct deposit, it may take longer to receive your refund by mail.
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Amended Returns or Adjustments - If you filed an amended tax return or made adjustments to your original tax return, it can extend the processing time for your refund because amended returns require manual review.
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Missing Documentation - If the IDOR requires additional documentation or information to process your refund, such as proof of income or deductions, your refund may be delayed until the necessary documentation is provided.
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Peak Tax Season - During peak tax season, the IDOR may experience a high volume of refund requests, which can result in processing delays.
Where do I mail my Illinois state tax return
If you are filing a paper copy of your Illinois state tax return, you need to mail it to the appropriate address based on your residency status and whether you are including a payment with your return.
If you are NOT enclosing a payment with your Illinois state tax return, mail your return to:
Illinois Department of Revenue
Springfield, IL 62719-0001
If you are enclosing a payment with your Illinois state tax return (such as a check or money order for any tax due), mail your return to:
Illinois Department of Revenue
Springfield, IL 62726-0001
Please note the different zip codes between the two addresses based on whether or not you are including a payment with your return. Make sure to use the correct zip code to ensure timely processing of your tax return and payment.
When mailing your Illinois state tax return, it's recommended to use certified mail or a reliable courier service to track delivery and ensure that your return reaches the IDOR securely and on time. Additionally, be sure to include any required attachments, such as W-2 forms, schedules, and supporting documentation, with your tax return.
What do I do if my refund is different from what was shown on my return?
If your Illinois state tax refund differs from what was shown on your return, there are a few steps you can take to address the discrepancy:
First, double-check the information on your Illinois state tax return to ensure accuracy. Verify that all income, deductions, credits, and other relevant information was reported correctly.
Next, use the "Check Your Refund" tool on the Illinois Department of Revenue website to verify the status of your refund. Make sure that the refund amount matches what is shown on your return or the information provided by the IDOR.
If the refund amount differs from what you expected, review any correspondence or notices received from the Illinois Department of Revenue. The IDOR may send notifications if there are adjustments or corrections made to your return that affect your refund amount. If you believe there is an error or discrepancy in your refund amount, contact the Illinois Department of Revenue for assistance. You can reach out to the IDOR directly by phone or email to inquire about the discrepancy and request clarification.
If necessary, be prepared to provide additional documentation or information to support your claim for the correct refund amount. This may include copies of relevant tax documents, receipts, or other evidence to substantiate your claim.
Finally, if you discover errors or omissions on your original tax return that affect your refund amount, you may need to file an amended return to correct the information. Use Form IL-1040-X (Amended Individual Income Tax Return) to make corrections or updates to your Illinois state tax return.
You can follow up with the IDOR to track the status of your inquiry or any requested documentation. Be persistent in seeking resolution to ensure that any discrepancies are addressed promptly to avoid potential delays or issues with your tax return.
Why is my Illinois tax return rejected?
If your Illinois state tax return has been rejected, don’t panic—it’s a common issue that can often be resolved quickly. The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) may reject a tax return for several reasons, ranging from simple typos to more complex filing errors. Understanding why your return was rejected can help you fix the problem and resubmit it correctly.
A common cause of rejection is a mismatch in your Social Security number, name, or date of birth. Double-check that your information matches what is on file with the Social Security Administration and IRS. If you or someone else has already submitted a tax return using your SSN, the state may reject your return as a potential duplicate filing. This may also indicate tax identity theft; in which case you should contact the IDOR immediately.
If the income you report on your return doesn’t match the data from your W-2, 1099, or other tax documents, your return may be rejected. Ensure you have accurately reported all earnings.
If you file electronically, you must verify your return with your Illinois e-file PIN or last year’s Adjusted Gross Income. A mismatch in these numbers can cause rejection. Additionally, if you expect a tax refund via direct deposit but enter incorrect bank account details, the return may be rejected to prevent errors in refund disbursement.
If your Illinois tax return is rejected, the first step is to carefully review the rejection notice, which will explain the issue and provide guidance on how to fix it. Most errors can be corrected by filing an amended tax return or simply resubmitting the corrected version. If you’re unsure how to fix the error, a tax filing service or attorney can provide expert assistance.
If you believe your return was incorrectly rejected or suspect identity theft, you should contact an attorney or the Illinois Department of Revenue as soon as possible to resolve the issue.
Illinois state tax return: What happens if my refund check expires?
If you received an Illinois state tax refund check but didn’t cash it in time, you might be wondering what happens next. Refund checks have an expiration date, and failing to cash them before they expire can delay access to your refund.
Typically, an Illinois state tax refund check is valid for one year from the issue date. If you fail to cash it within that time, the check becomes stale-dated, meaning it is no longer valid for deposit. However, this doesn’t mean you’ve lost your refund—you just need to take additional steps to request a new check.
If your Illinois tax refund check has expired, you can request a replacement by contacting the Illinois Comptroller’s Office or IDOR. You may need to provide your SSN, year of the tax return, amount of return, and a written request for a replacement check.
Once your request is processed, the state will re-issue your refund check. Processing times can vary, so it’s best to make your request as soon as you realize the check has expired.
I have lost my refund check in Illinois. How do I get a new one?
If you lost your Illinois state tax refund check, you can request a replacement or trace the status of your original refund check by contacting the Illinois Department of Revenue directly.
To contact the IDOR you can call the Taxpayer Assistance Hotline at 1-800-732-8866 to report that you lost your refund check and request a replacement. The IDOR may require you to complete and submit Form REG-113 (Claim for Refund or Replacement Check). Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to submit additional documentation to verify your identity and the status of your refund check.
After reporting the loss of your refund check and submitting any required documentation, follow up with the IDOR to track the status of your request for a replacement check. You may need to allow some time for processing, so be patient while waiting for updates.
To prevent similar issues in the future, consider opting for direct deposit of your Illinois state tax refund instead of receiving a paper check. Direct deposit is a secure and convenient way to receive your refund directly into your bank account, eliminating the risk of lost or stolen paper checks.
When is the tax filing deadline in Illinois?
The tax filing deadline in Illinois generally aligns with the federal tax filing deadline, which is typically April 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is usually extended to the next business day.
You can visit the official website of the Illinois Department of Revenue for the most current and accurate information regarding the tax filing deadline. Remember that if you need additional time to file your Illinois state tax return, you may request an extension. However, an extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed. If you owe taxes, it's generally recommended to pay by the original due date to avoid potential penalties and interest.
