AMERICANS are being confronted with state tax refund delays due to an issue over at the Department of Revenue’s printing and mailing company.
The chaotic complication has left many residents scrambling for their tax refunds and awaiting the thousands of dollars they are owed from the state government.
Although the deadline to submit state income taxes for the 2025 tax year varies, most US states had an April 15 cutoff.
Although it’s been nearly five weeks since Tax Day, some Americans are still patiently waiting for their state tax refunds to come in the mail.
This is the case for many residents in North Carolina, according to local CBS affiliate WNCN.
The state’s Department of Revenue revealed that the printing and mailing company that it uses, Professional Mail Services, Inc., closed down abruptly.
Due to the sudden shutdown, some state refund checks and notices have yet to be printed and mailed to North Carolina taxpayers.
One Wake County resident checked the North Carolina Department of Revenue website for a refund update three weeks ago.
Using the Where’s My Refund? tool for the state, he plugged in his Social Security number and saw that his refund status was listed as “Check mailed.”
Still waiting for his check to come last Thursday, the North Carolina taxpayer decided to call the Department of Revenue.
“An individual informed me that there was an issue with a printer,” he told WNCN.
“It just feels like it’s been a total debacle. I’ve been here for 30 years in North Carolina. I’ve never had any issues in getting a refund from the state.
“Just very frustrated because I’m counting on this money. I need this money. I was expecting it several weeks ago.”
North Carolina taxpayers who visit the state’s Department of Revenue website are met with a message about how the print vendor unexpectedly went out of business, resulting in refund delays.
“The N.C. Department of Revenue is continuing to evaluate the impacts of notices and refund checks that were not printed or mailed by Professional Mail Services, Inc. Additional information will be provided as soon as possible,” a spokesperson told WNCN.
“The department is committed to serving our customers in the most efficient manner possible, and we are actively developing a plan to restore print and mail services.”
Are 'responsible tax refunds' on the rise?
A new survey shows taxpayers are more likely to spend their refunds on rent, groceries and other necessities, rather than luxuries.
The poll of 2,000 U.S. taxpayers found nearly two in three (64%) have either already spent their tax refund money or are planning to soon. And all agree their refunds will be spent on necessary purchases.
Commissioned by TaxSlayer and conducted by Talker Research, the two-part study compared Americans’ initial tax refund ambitions pre-Tax Day to their post-Tax Day realities.
Four in five who have already spent their refunds spent it on essentials; top spends include bills like rent (58%), groceries (48%), paying down credit card debt (29%) and home repairs (13%).
Likewise, 72% who haven’t already spent their refunds are planning to invest it all in necessities.
The study revealed that participants received more than $2,300 on average in their refunds this year — higher than the average $1,700 that was predicted when the first study on this topic was conducted in December 2024.
Six in 10 (61%) said their refunds are an important part of their budgeting plans for 2025; an increase from 52% who felt the same about the role refunds played in their 2024 budgeting.
When asked in December, only 22% of Americans believed they would receive more this year than last, and 26% believed they would receive less. When asked how much they actually received, one-third (32%) said they received more this year than last year, while 28% reportedly received less.
The primary reasons people believe they received more this year were: working more (37%), adjustment of deductions or withholdings (31%), and getting a pay raise or promotion (16%).
Meanwhile, participants who received a smaller refund amount believe it was likely due to losing work (29%), moving to a higher tax bracket (21%) and having dependents age out of eligibility (11%).
Sixty-two percent felt happy and surprised by the amount they received; another major increase from last year, when a mere 40% recalled feeling happy with their 2024 tax refund.
WHEN WILL YOU GET YOUR REFUND?
The timeframe for receiving your state tax refund depends on a variety of factors, including the state you filed your taxes in.
Each state has its own tax agency with varying processing speeds, so some states will distribute tax returns quicker than others.
Additionally, a tax return that contains errors, is incomplete, or requires additional review will result in a longer processing time and delayed refund.
The method you used to file your state taxes also impacts how long it takes for your to receive your refund.
For example, in most states, tax returns filed electronically are typically processed much quicker than paper returns.
Americans who e-filed their 2024 state tax returns can expect to receive their refunds within roughly a few weeks.
On the other hand, the processing time for paper returns is much longer, taking up to several weeks or even months for taxpayers to see their refunds.
Americans can contact their individual state’s taxation department for more information about how to track their state tax refund status.
The IRS previously spoke out on the speed of tax returns in 2025 and why the average refund has increased since last year.
Plus, read about why tax filers feared more delays for refunds following IRS rumours and a former commissioner’s warning.
GettySome North Carolina residents have yet to receive their state tax refund due to the unexpected closure of the Department of Revenue’s printing company[/caption]2025 Tax Season
Tax season started on January 27 and folks must have theirs completed filed on April 15.
Those who fail to file by that time may face penalties.
However, taxpayers who need more time may file for an extension – this gives them until October 15.
The way to do this is by filling out Form 4868, the Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
This can be done by mail, online with an IRS e-filing partner, or through a tax professional.
While there’s no set schedule, the IRS revealed that taxpayers may receive refunds within 21 days of filing.
Just be sure to avoid making mistakes on any forms as that could tack on extra time.
Those filing through mail will likely get their returns within a month or could even face delays as the IRS processes millions.
As of January 31, the average refund amount totaled $1,928, per the IRS.
This is compared to the $1,395 for the same period in 2024.
The average direct deposit refund for 2025 was even higher, the IRS said, at $2,069.
To check the status of your refund, The IRS has an online tool called Where’s My Refund?
This works within 24 hours of e-filing and generally within four weeks of filing a paper return.
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