Frequently Asked Questions - Individual Income Tax

How can I check the status of my refund?

You can check the status of your refund online by using our Where’s My Refund? web service.

In order to view status information, you can visit our website at Tax.WV.Gov and click on the Where’s My Refund? banner at the top of the page. This will take you to another page where you will be prompted to enter the first social security number listed on your tax return along with the exact amount of the refund you claimed.

However, please note that due to varying circumstances such as address changes, some returns take longer to process than others. If it has been more than 10 weeks since you filed your tax return, you may call our Taxpayer Services Division and speak with a taxpayer service representative.

The toll-free number is 1-800-982-8297. Refunds are issued each business day. If you visit our website and are advised that your refund has not been issued, please wait until the next business day before again checking the website. Refund information is updated nightly.

I’m locked out of “Where’s My Refund?”. What should I do?

Simply close your browser and try again. This quick step generally fixes most issues. If not, please try logging in again the next business day. Refund data is updated nightly.

My refund check has been lost, destroyed, or stolen. What should I do?

If your refund has been lost, destroyed, or stolen, you may contact the Taxpayer Services Division of the Tax Division to have the payment stopped and a new check issued.

In the case of a stop payment, another check is usually issued between 30 to 60 days from the time you contact the Tax Division. However, if your check has been cashed by someone else, the criminal investigation may take at least 120 days to be completed.

For faster service, you may email us at TaxHelp@WV.Gov.

I filed a joint tax return. Which social security number should I use when inquiring about the status of my income tax refund?

You must enter the social security number of the first person shown on the return.

If I owe the IRS or a State agency; will I receive my West Virginia Refund?

In some cases, debts you owe to certain State, local, and county agencies will be withheld from your refund and paid over to the government agency.

The amount of the debt will be subtracted from the amount of your refund. The Tax Division will notify you of this intercept and will refund the balance, if any, of your refund.

The government entity receiving the intercepted amount will also notify you and give you an opportunity to contest the debt.

If you have an outstanding federal income tax liability, the Internal Revenue Service may claim some or all of your refund.

I checked the status of my refund and I was told that all or a portion of my refund has been applied to my indebtedness with the West Virginia Tax Division. I was not aware that I owe the Tax Division. Who can I call to get more information?

You can call toll-free at 1-800-982-8297 to get information about your balance with the Tax Division.

I changed my address since I filed my last tax return, what should I do?

Taxpayers should let the Tax Division know when they change their address. A form for individuals to report a change of address is posted on the Individuals page.

See COA Individual Change of Address.

Businesses that change their address must file a BUS-RBL Reissuance of Business Registration Certificate. This application is also available on our website at Tax.WV.Gov, on the Business Registration page. The form may be filed electronically.

I have moved to another address since I filed my return. My refund check could have been returned to the Tax Division as an undeliverable check. What do I need to do to get my check forwarded to my new address?

In most cases, the US Postal Service does not forward refund checks.

• Please contact the Tax Division toll-free at 1-800-982-8297 to update your address or complete and mail form COA Individual Change of Address to:
• West Virginia Tax Division
• Tax Account Administration Division
• Attn: Personal Income Tax Unit
• P. O. Box 2389
• Charleston, WV 25328-2389

How often are refund checks mailed?

Refund checks are mailed and direct deposits are made each business day.

Will I receive interest on my refund?

You will receive interest on your refund if your refund is not issued within 90 days from the date the return was filed provided there was no adjustment to your refund claim.

Where should I mail my return if I owe tax?

• Returns due a refund are mailed to:
• West Virginia Tax Division
• P. O. Box 1071
• Charleston, WV 25324-1071

I received a Form 1099-G from the West Virginia Tax Division. What does this mean, and will I receive a refund?

If you claimed itemized deductions on your federal return and received a state refund last year, you will receive from us a Form 1099-G statement.

This form shows the amount of the state refund that you received last year – it does not mean that you will receive an additional refund.

Generally, your State income tax refund must be included in your federal income for the year in which your check was received, if you deducted the State income tax paid as an itemized deduction on your federal income tax return.

Please visit the How to Get Your 1099 Form page for additional information about Form 1099-G and Form 1099-INT.

You should share your 1099G with your tax preparer.

I checked on the status of my refund and was informed that there is no record of my return being received. What should I do?

• If you filed a paper return you can mail a duplicate return to:
• West Virginia Tax Division
• Attn: Duplicate Returns
• P. O. Box 1071
• Charleston, WV 25324-1071

If you efiled your return, you should confirm that your return was accepted. If it was not accepted, you should refile.

My refund check was mailed to my old address. I contacted the Tax Division and I have received my check, but the check is now 6 months old. Will the bank still cash the check?

A check from the Tax Division is valid up to 6 months after the date on the check.

• If a check date is older than 6 months, you should mail a letter along with the refund check to:
• West Virginia Tax Division
• P. O. Box 1071
• Charleston, WV 25324-1071

A replacement check will be issued within 30-60 days.

My spouse has passed away and my tax refund check was issued in both names. How can I get this corrected?

Because a joint return was filed, the refund check must be issued jointly. When presenting the check for payment, you may want to include a copy of the death certificate to show you as a surviving spouse.

How long does it take to receive an amended refund?

When a mathematically correct amended return is filed, you should receive a refund within 10-12 weeks.

You may check on your refund on our MyTaxes website, or by going to our website at Tax.WV.Gov and clicking on the Where’s My Refund? banner.

You should receive your amended refund within 10-12 weeks from the date the amended return is filed. If it has been more than twelve weeks since you filed your amended return, please call our Taxpayer Services Division at 1-800-982-8297 for assistance.

If the amended return is mathematically correct, interest will be paid on the amended refund amount at the applicable rate if not paid within 90 days from the filing date.

When Do I need to file an amended return?

• You must file a West Virginia amended return if any of the following conditions occur:
• To correct a previously filed return; or
• You filed an amended federal income tax return and that change affected your West Virginia tax liability; or
• The Internal Revenue Service made any changes to your federal return (i.e., change in federal adjusted gross income, change in exemptions, etc.).

If a change is made to your federal return, an amended West Virginia return must be filed within ninety (90) days.

A copy of your amended federal income tax return must be enclosed with the West Virginia amended return.

How do I file an amended West Virginia return?

Use the version of Form IT-140 that corresponds to the tax year to be amended and check the “Amended Return” box.

These forms and corresponding instructions are available on our website at Tax.WV.Gov on the Individuals page.

• Mail the amended return to:
• West Virginia Tax Division
• Attn: Tax Account Administration Division
• P. O. Box 3694
• Charleston, WV 25336-3694

How can I pay my taxes?

See discussion on Payment Options for Individuals.

You can go to our MyTaxes website and pay certain taxes by electronic funds transfer.

As discussed below, the Tax Division accepts ACH Credits, ACH Debits and Credit Cards.

ACH Credits – Payments are initiated by your financial institution. You can Apply Online for Electronic Funds Transfer, or you can complete and submit a WV/EFT-5 Electronic Funds Transfer Application.

Please contact your bank to confirm their participation in the ACH Credit program before applying with us.

ACH Debits – Payments initiated by the Tax Division based on information provided to us. You can use the Pay Personal Income Tax link on the MyTaxes website to begin remitting payments electronically using the ACH Debit method.

Credit Cards – All major credit cards are accepted. You can visit the Credit Card Payments page for more information.

Who can I contact for more information?

• Contact Information:
• West Virginia Tax Division
• Taxpayer Services Division
• P. O. Box 3784
• Charleston, West Virginia, 25337-3784
• Phone: 1-800-982-8297

Or visit one of our regional offices located in Beckley, Charleston, Clarksburg, Martinsburg, Parkersburg, or Wheeling, West Virginia.

What if I can’t pay the full amount of personal income tax due?

We will work with you to resolve your personal income tax debt.

If you cannot pay your entire personal income tax bill, you should pay as much of it as you can when you file your return. Doing so reduces the amount of interest and penalties you will be charged over the life of your payment plan.

Once your tax return has been processed, we will send you a bill for the balance you owe, including interest and penalties.

If you cannot pay the entire amount at the time of the billing, pay as much as you can and submit your request for a payment plan.

Click here for more information on payment plans. ​​