When can North Carolina residents expect their tax refunds? What to know

It’s tax season and many in North Carolina want to know when they might get their tax refunds. Here’s what to know.

With almost a month passed since the beginning of tax season on Jan. 26, many early filers in North Carolina are eager to receive a refund.

In 2025, residents of Western NC affected by Tropical Storm Helene were allowed an extension on tax submissions for the year. In 2026, we’re back to normal, with the usual several months allotted between the opening of tax season and the final date on which returns and payments are due.

The processes for filing and checking on NC state and U.S. taxes are somewhat different, and a lot has changed this year when it comes to the matter of taxes on overtime and tips.

Here’s what NC residents should know about this year’s tax season.

When are taxes due?

Taxpayers have until April 15, 2026, to file 2025 tax returns and pay any taxes due.

What happens if I don’t pay taxes by April 15? What is the extended deadline for taxes?

If you won’t be able to get your taxes in by the deadline, you can file for an extension to avoid penalties. You can fill out a form on the IRS website to extend your filing deadline to Oct. 15.

Keep in mind, however, that the deadline for requesting an extension is also April 15. Also remember:

• An extension of time to file does not grant you any extension of time to pay your taxes.
• You should estimate and pay any owed taxes by your regular deadline to avoid penalties.

If you fail to file your taxes by this deadline, you’ll be fined by the IRS. Your Failure to File penalty is based on how late your tax return is filed and the amount of unpaid tax as of the original payment due date. See the relevant page on the IRS website for more information on exactly how these penalties are calculated.

Are 2025 tips taxed? Overtime? ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ tax season changes

The IRS webpage has been updated to reflect changes to federal taxes, credits and deductions made by the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” passed in 2025.

Employees and self-employed individuals are now able to deduct qualified tips received in certain qualified occupations including waitstaff, bartenders, salon workers, personal trainers and more who customarily and regularly receive tips.

Taxpayers may be able to claim a deduction for qualified tips paid to them in 2025 that are included on Form W-2, Form 1099-NEC, Form 1099-MISC, Form 1099-K or reported directly by them on Form 4137.

Additionally, individuals who receive qualified overtime compensation may now deduct pay that exceeds their regular rate of pay, generally the “half” portion of “time-and-a-half” compensation, required by the Fair Labor Standards Act and reported on a Form W-2, Form 1099, or other specified statement.

For information on deduction amounts and more, visit the dedicated IRS webpage at irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions.

Where is my federal tax refund?

If you’ve already filed, you can check the status of your federal tax refund on the dedicated IRS webpage. You’ll need your Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount on your return.

The status will appear 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, three or four days after you e-file a prior-year return or four weeks after you file a paper return. The site also states that refund status info is updated overnight once every 24 hours.

Here’s how to decipher the status of your federal tax return:

• Return Received – The IRS received your return and is currently processing it.
• Refund Approved – The IRS has approved your refund and is preparing to issue it. The issue date should be included.
• Refund Sent – The IRS has sent the refund by direct deposit or by mail. Keep in mind that it could take five days for it to show up in your bank account, or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail after it is sent by the IRS.

Where is my North Carolina state tax refund?

As for your state taxes, you may have to wait a bit longer. The NCDOR webpage states that its review process typically takes three to six weeks after the electronic submittal date, or up to 12 if you filed a paper return.

To check the status of your state refund you’ll need the first social security number shown on the return and the exact amount of refund shown on your return. The NCDOR has a few more possible statuses for your refund compared to the IRS:

• Return Received – The NCDOR has received your return.
• Processing and Validating Return Information – The NCDOR is processing and validating your return.
• Return Under Initial Review – The NCDOR is reviewing your return for identity verification and refund fraud protection measures.
• Return Requires Enhanced Protection Measures – You may see this status if the NCDOR decides to complete further review of your return to ensure the security of your information.
• Return Requires Further Examination – You may see this status if the NCDOR deems it necessary to further examine your return before approval of a refund.
• Refund Approved – The NCDOR has approved your refund and is working to issue it as soon as possible.
• Refund Issued – The NCDOR has issued your refund.

Reporting by Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect