Q&A on the News

How can I find out when I will receive my state income tax refund? My return was filed electronically in late March, and I received an email stating that it had been received.

— David Jacobsen, Roswell

A: Most error-free tax returns are processed within five days of receipt, and returns are issued within 21 days from the date the return was filed, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

However, the department notes that returns that contain any incorrect or questionable information can sometimes take more than 90 days to process a return and issue the refund.

“The DOR works diligently to be as efficient as possible in processing returns and issuing of refunds while maintaining the highest levels of security in protecting confidential taxpayer information and state tax dollars,” according to a press release.

The press release notes that DOR’s fraud management system blocked over $212 million in fraudulently filed refund requests from being released in 2017. The DOR also works with the IRS, the tax industry and other state revenue departments through the Security Summit initiative to “continue strengthening processing systems to protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud.”

Filers can call the DOR’s individual income tax information number (877-4236711) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to ask about the status of their return. Q&A on the News runs Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Dillon Thompson contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).