Official Tracker
IRS Federal Refund Tracker
Internal Revenue Service (for federal returns)
Check Refund Status →← All State Trackers
Direct Answer
Texas has no state income tax and therefore no Texas state income tax refund. Texas residents file a federal return only for income tax purposes. To check your federal IRS refund, visit irs.gov/refunds. Texas does have sales tax, property tax, and franchise tax for businesses. There is no individual income tax refund to track.
Key Takeaways
Texas Has No State Income Tax
Texas is one of nine states with no individual state income tax. The Texas Constitution prohibits a state income tax on individuals without a constitutional amendment approved by voters. As a result, Texas residents do not file a state income tax return and there is no Texas state income tax refund.
The nine states with no state income tax are: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
What Texas Does Tax
While Texas has no individual income tax, several other taxes apply to Texas residents and businesses:
- Sales and use tax: Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate, with local jurisdictions adding up to 2% additional for a maximum combined rate of 8.25%.
- Property tax: Texas property taxes are among the highest in the nation and are administered by county appraisal districts.
- Franchise tax: Texas businesses (LLCs, corporations, partnerships) pay a franchise tax based on gross receipts, administered by the Texas Comptroller.
Claiming Your Federal IRS Refund in Texas
Texas residents file federal income tax returns with the IRS, just like residents of all other states. If you had federal income taxes withheld from wages or made estimated tax payments, you may be entitled to a federal refund.
To check your federal refund status, visit irs.gov/refunds. You will need your Social Security Number or ITIN, your filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your federal Form 1040.
Federal e-filed returns with direct deposit are typically processed within 21 days. Paper returns take 6–8 weeks. See our Federal Refund Tracker page for complete details.
Texas Business Franchise Tax Refunds
Texas businesses that overpaid their franchise tax can apply for a refund through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. This is separate from individual income taxes and uses a different process and portal.
Texas franchise tax refund requests are handled by the Texas Comptroller’s office at comptroller.texas.gov. Businesses should file an amended franchise tax return through the Comptroller’s eSystems portal to request a refund of overpaid franchise tax.
Moving To or From Texas Mid-Year
If you moved to Texas during the tax year from a state with an income tax, or moved from Texas to a state with an income tax, your state income tax obligations depend on the states involved.
- If you moved TO Texas from a taxing state, you may owe income tax to your previous state for the portion of the year you were a resident there — and you may receive a refund from that state if you had taxes withheld.
- If you moved FROM Texas to a taxing state, you will owe income tax to your new state from the date of your move through December 31.
Part-year resident returns are more complex. Consult a tax professional if you moved between states during the year.
What Should You Do If Your Federal Refund Is Delayed as a Texas Resident?
Texas residents waiting on a federal IRS refund should follow these steps:
- Wait the full processing window. Allow 21 days after e-filing or 6 weeks after mailing a paper return before taking action.
- Check IRS.gov/refunds. The IRS Where’s My Refund tool at irs.gov/refunds shows the most current status.
- Check your mail. The IRS mails identity verification letters (such as Form 5071C) by standard mail. A letter may be waiting. Respond online at IRS.gov/verify or by phone within the timeframe on the letter.
- Call the IRS. If the tracker shows no update after the full window, call 1-800-829-1040, Monday through Friday 7am–7pm local time. Have your SSN, filing status, and expected refund amount ready.
- For franchise tax issues: Contact the Texas Comptroller at comptroller.texas.gov. Franchise tax refunds are completely separate from federal income tax refunds.
Federal Refund Processing Time Summary
| Filing Method | Refund Method | Typical Timeline | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal e-file | Direct deposit | Within 21 days | Fastest |
| Federal e-file | Paper check | 21 days + mailing | Fast |
| Federal paper return | Direct deposit | 6–8 weeks | Slow |
| Federal paper return | Paper check | 6–8 weeks + mailing | Slowest |
| TX franchise tax (business) | N/A — TX Comptroller | Separate process | Separate |
What Do IRS Refund Status Messages Mean for Texas Filers?
Return Received
The IRS has received your Form 1040. The return is in the processing queue. No action is required at this stage.
Refund Approved
The IRS has reviewed your return and approved the refund amount. Direct deposit refunds typically post within 5 business days of approval. Paper check refunds enter the mailing cycle after approval.
Refund Sent
Your refund has been dispatched. For direct deposit, check your bank account within 5 business days. For paper checks, allow standard mail delivery time (approximately 2 weeks). If a check has not arrived within 4 weeks of the sent date, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Practitioner Note · Nausheen Shahid, LMN Tax Inc · 22+ Years Experience
"We serve many clients who have moved to or from Texas, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. The most common misconception is that living in Texas means no income tax obligations at all — but federal taxes still apply, and if you moved from a taxing state mid-year, you likely still owe that state for the months you lived there. Also note that Texas’s high property taxes and sales taxes can significantly impact overall tax burden even without an income tax."
— Nausheen Shahid, Founder, LMN Tax Inc
Real-World Texas Refund Scenario
Ramona, a Texas resident filing jointly, e-filed her 2024 federal return on February 10, 2025. Her husband runs a consulting practice and received 1099-NEC income. Because Texas has no state income tax, they filed only a federal Form 1040.
Three weeks after filing, Where’s My Refund still showed “Still Being Processed.” At week five, Ramona received IRS Letter 5071C requesting identity verification. Her husband’s 1099-NEC income from multiple clients had triggered the IRS fraud detection system. Ramona completed identity verification online at IRS.gov/verify within two days. The IRS confirmed her identity and resumed processing. Her refund arrived 48 days after the original filing date.
Takeaway: Texas residents with no state return still face federal refund delays. Self-employment income from multiple 1099-NEC sources is a common IRS identity verification trigger. Responding to Letter 5071C promptly is the fastest path to release. Ignoring the letter or mistaking it for junk mail extends the hold indefinitely.
This is a realistic example based on verified federal and Texas tax rules. It is not a specific taxpayer case. Dollar amounts and timelines are illustrative.
When Texas Refund Tracking Does Not Apply
- Part-year residents who moved from a taxing state: If you moved to Texas from California, New York, Illinois, or another income-taxing state during 2024 or 2025, you owe income tax to your former state for the portion of the year you lived there. A part-year return is required for your former state. Moving to Texas does not erase the income tax obligation for the months you lived in the former state.
- Texas workers with income from another state: If you physically performed work in another state (e.g., traveling to client sites in California), that income may be subject to the other state’s income tax. Texas residency does not exempt you from nonresident filing obligations in states where you performed services.
- Texas business owners subject to franchise tax: The Texas franchise tax (administered by the Texas Comptroller) applies to most businesses operating in Texas. This is separate from federal income taxes and has its own payment deadlines and refund procedures through the Texas Comptroller, not the IRS.
- Federal income tax obligations: Texas has no state income tax, but Texas residents still file federal Form 1040 and pay federal income taxes. All standard IRS rules, deadlines, and refund procedures apply. Use IRS.gov/refunds to track federal refund status.
- Property tax overpayments: Property tax refunds in Texas are handled by individual county appraisal districts and are unrelated to income tax. If you overpaid property taxes, contact your county tax assessor-collector directly.
Related Refund Resources
If your federal refund is delayed or you need to understand your state filing obligations as a Texas resident, these resources may help:
- Federal / IRS Refund Tracker — complete IRS refund tracking guide for all states
- Why Is My Tax Refund Delayed? — covers the most common federal refund delay reasons
- IRS “Still Being Processed”: What It Means — explains federal tracker status messages
- When to Call the IRS About Your Refund - IRS contact guidance and wait windows
- IRS Refund Approved But Not Sent - what to do when WMR shows approved but money hasn't arrived
- Refund Sent But Not Received - trace a missing direct deposit or paper check
- IRS Letter 5071C - identity verification letter: steps and timeline
- Tax Refund Offset Guide - why your refund was reduced and what to do
- Where's My Amended Return? - track Form 1040-X status separately from WMR
- IRS Refund Timeline - when to expect your refund after filing
- Refund Date Estimator — estimate your federal refund arrival date
- Florida Refund Tracker — another no-income-tax state
- Washington State Refund Tracker — another no-income-tax state
Frequently Asked Questions: Texas Tax Refund
What To Do Next
Texas residents track their federal income tax refund at irs.gov/refunds. Allow 21 days after e-filing before checking. If delayed, see our Refund Date Estimator for a projected deposit date. For Texas franchise tax refunds, contact the Texas Comptroller. For state-by-state processing time comparisons, see the State Tax Refund Processing Times guide.
Sources & Editorial Disclosure
Texas Comptroller – Franchise Tax · Texas Constitution – Article VIII (Tax and Revenue) · IRS Where’s My Refund (for federal returns) · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Authored by Munib Ur Rehman · Reviewed by Nausheen Shahid, LMN Tax Inc. Not affiliated with the IRS or any state tax authority. For informational purposes only.