Taxpayers in 5 States Could Wait Up to 6 Weeks for Refunds This Tax Season
If you’re counting on your state tax refund to cover groceries, rent, or a credit card bill, you might want to brace yourself. In several parts of the country, taxpayers are being warned that state refunds could arrive much later than people expect, even if federal refunds are moving faster.
Kiplinger reports that five areas are seeing notable slowdowns this filing season: Idaho, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C.
And in at least one state, the delay could stretch to six weeks.
Why state refunds are lagging behind
The headline reason is simple: state systems are struggling to keep up with shifting rules and mid-season changes.
Kiplinger describes the 2026 filing season as “refund whiplash,” pointing to a mix of software updates, staffing shortages, and complications tied to new tax changes that states are still working to integrate.
For many households, these delays matter because state refunds aren’t just “extra.” They’re part of how families manage cash flow in the first quarter of the year.
Which states are seeing the biggest delays
Idaho
Kiplinger reports that Idaho refunds could be delayed by up to six weeks, citing a memo from the state budget director. The reasons include budget cuts that reduced staffing and mid-season tax law updates that forced system changes after many people had already filed.
New York
In New York, Kiplinger says early filers may have faced refund delays tied to tax software issues, including taxpayers getting stuck in a “processing” loop if they filed before updates were fully implemented.
Oregon
Oregon’s issue is especially frustrating for paper filers. Kiplinger reports that paper returns won’t be processed until late March, and the first paper-filed refunds may not go out until early April 2026, with the state strongly urging people to switch to e-filing.
South Carolina
South Carolina is dealing with a manual process problem. Kiplinger reports the state is requiring some filers to manually “add back” certain deductions, which has contributed to delays and more back-and-forth for taxpayers.
Washington, D.C.
D.C. is the wild card. Kiplinger reports that about 42,000 early filers were left in limbo after a policy reversal disrupted processing, and that filing deadlines could even be extended deeper into 2026 depending on how quickly systems get updated.
What you can do right now to avoid making it worse
Even if your state isn’t on that “slow list,” these delays are a reminder that the basics still matter.
Kiplinger repeatedly points to system bottlenecks getting worse for paper returns and for filings that require manual review.
So if you’re still waiting to file, the safest moves are:
- E-file if possible
- Use direct deposit
- Double-check entries before submitting (because even small issues can route a return into manual processing)
None of this guarantees a fast refund, but it reduces the odds your return gets trapped behind a backlog.
The bigger takeaway
A lot of Americans assume refunds follow one predictable clock. Federal goes first, state comes shortly after. This year, that pattern is breaking in multiple places.
So if your budget depends on that state refund arriving “any day now,” you may want a backup plan for the next few weeks, especially if you live in one of the states Kiplinger flagged.
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