Federal Refund Received, State Check Supposedly Mailed 2 Weeks Ago - Should I Call?

Oh no, that does seem like a long time for a check to arrive! Have you checked your state's refund status page recently? Sometimes those tracking systems update with new information. I'm still waiting for my refunds too and getting nervous...

Def sounds like ur state check is MIA or stuck in processing limbo. I'd give it til the end of this week (so 3 full wks) then make the call. FYI - I used https://taxr.ai last yr when I had a similar issue w/ my state return. It analyzed my transcript and showed me the actual processing stage vs what the generic tracker was saying. Turns out my "mailed" check was still in processing despite what the website claimed. Saved me weeks of waiting for something that wasn't even in the mail yet. Might be worth checking out if ur state provides transcript access.

According to the official state refund processing guidelines (which vary by state), paper checks typically take 2-3 weeks to arrive after the listed mail date. However, during peak filing season (which we're in right now), this can extend to 3-4 weeks. Check your state's department of revenue website for their specific timeframes. Most states have a "Where's My Refund" tool similar to the IRS version that will show if there have been any updates or issues. If you're approaching the 3-week mark, it's reasonable to contact them directly.

I would definitely call them now. I had to wait on hold with my state tax department for almost 2 hours last year when my check never showed up. This year I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com/?ref=reddit) to get through to an agent quickly. It basically holds your place in line so you don't have to stay on hold. The agent was able to tell me my check had been returned to them due to an address issue even though their website didn't show any problems. Might be worth trying if you don't want to waste your day on hold.

I'm ALWAYS skeptical when states claim they've "mailed" checks because their systems often mark checks as "mailed" when they've only been approved for mailing! There's frequently a 3-5 day gap between the status update and the actual physical mailing. Plus, USPS is notoriously slow with government mail. I'd give it until exactly 21 days from the claimed mail date before calling - that's typically the threshold when most state tax departments will initiate a trace or reissue.

Last year I had this exact issue with my state return. After waiting 3 weeks for a check that never came, I called and learned they had an incorrect mailing address. The best approach is to call your state tax department ASAP and verify they have your correct address on file. If they confirm the check was actually mailed to the right address, they can typically initiate a trace after 21-30 days (varies by state). Some states will even cancel the original check and reissue immediately if you explain it's been more than 14 days.

Be very careful about this! On February 15th last year, my state tax website showed my refund check was mailed on January 28th. After not receiving it by February 20th, I called and they confirmed it had been mailed. On March 7th, I called again and requested a replacement check. They told me I needed to wait until April 1st (a full 60 days) before they could reissue. When I finally got the replacement in mid-April, I discovered someone had intercepted my original check, forged my signature, and cashed it. This triggered a fraud investigation that took 5 months to resolve. Document everything and call immediately to verify the status.