Tax Year Prior to 2020: How long does it take to get the California State tax refund back

[ejtano]

efiled state and federal taxes today. When should I look forward to my state refund check

[ModestaL]

All State refunds are handled by each individual state and their refund processing times vary. Please see answer below for information regarding your State.

[hope-367]

The federal government give you an estimate. Why can't California just give you a around a bout! Will it take 3 months or 6 months, that's all I want.

[ModestaL]

California states that refund processing time is 2 weeks if you e-filed your tax return. However, some tax returns need extra review for accuracy, completeness, and to protect taxpayers from fraud and identity theft. Extra processing time may be necessary.

You can track it at the State of California Franchise Tax Board Check Your Refund Status page after being accepted.

NOTE: The State will ask you to enter the exact amount of your expected refund in whole dollars.

If you don't remember the exact amount of your refund, follow these instructions

[Katalinagirl29]

Actually you can have the simplest of taxes to file with California Franchise Tax board and yet when you go to the check refund status area it will still tell you to check back in a month. They're not truthful on their website when they state e-filing only takes two weeks that's a lie and they need to change their verbiage on their site to be truthful.

[Avodrock]

My status actually shows, "We are processing your return at this time. Please allow 1 month from the date you filed your return to complete processing. If we make adjustments to your return, we will notify you by mail."

Dont remember ever getting that long of a wait time for processing.

[TiffanyL]

Each state handles its own refunds. To see how long it may take for you to get your State refund, select your state from the link provided below for refund tracking instructions:

How do I track my state refund

[Bps]

I had to do a paper filing b/c turbotax cannot do a California E file if you have a single member LLC . Turbotax sucks. Wish I knew this other tax ppl can do E-file

They received it Feb 15 , I go online and it says your taxes cannot be found, so its not even in the system after two weeks.

Will update here, once I see something change

If anyone has received their $ , do let us know

[WKins2]

Just like the IRS, it can take the states about 6 weeks to receive and enter in the paper filed tax return. Check back in a few weeks to see if they have received it and have entered it in the program. 

[nai96]

I filed Feb. 4th and received federal refund on Feb. 26th. Still haven’t received California state tax return, checked online a few days ago and said to allow 1 month and now it says to wait 3 months. Also been calling but customer service says to wait 1-2 hours. I waited and still no answer from live representative. 

[Iluvvarianna]

I’m going through pretty much the same thing! I received all my other refunds however, California still hadn’t sent mine and I’m receiving the same message! 

[MichelleLO]

The IRS and your state operate independently of each other and therefore, the time frame in which each return is accepted and processed can vary.  It is not unusual that one arrived before the other.  Only the Franchise Tax Board can provide information regarding your state return after it has been accepted.  Please see How do I track my California tax refund? for more information. 

[pradamap]

Did you end up getting a date exactly one month as stated?

[CassLO]

@pradamap The information below, is per the CA state website State of California

How long it normally takes to receive a refund

• e-file: Up to 2 weeks
• Paper: Up to 4 weeks

Some tax returns need extra review for accuracy, completeness, and to protect taxpayers from fraud and identity theft. Extra processing time may be necessary.

If you received a refund amount different than the amount on your tax return, we’ll mail you a letter. Wait for that letter before you contact us.

[Becca81anne]

I got the message about extra processing time needed and it could take up to 3 months to receive my return. I did nothing and then approximately a week later I checked on the California refund status website and it showed my refund as issued. I had already received my federal tax refund so I think that helped the state process mine quicker. So don't get discouraged and just be patient.