Frequently Asked Questions   Individual Income Tax Payment/Refund All FAQ Topics » To whom do I make my payment payable? What if I am not able to pay my tax bill in full? How can I be penalized if I do not pay my tax bill? How long will it take for me to receive my refund? Is there a phone number that I can call to check on my refund? To whom do I make my payment payable? Make your check or money order payable to the "DC Treasurer". Do not send cash. Write your Social Security number, daytime phone number, tax year of the return, and the return type (D-40, D-40EZ, etc.) on your payment. What if I am not able to pay my tax bill in full? If you are unable to pay your tax bill in full, file your tax return anyway, pay what you can, then immediately contact us so we can help you meet your tax obligations. Call us at (202) 727-4TAX, write us, or visit our Customer Service Center to explain to us how you plan to pay the balance. If your plan is acceptable, we will extend the time for payment. If we do not hear from you, we must assume that you refuse to pay, and we must carry out our responsibility to enforce collection of your tax. How can I be penalized if I do not pay my tax bill? Please note that before we take any of the actions listed below, we try to contact you and give you an opportunity to pay voluntarily. However, if you do not cooperate with us, we may take any or all of the following actions: file a tax lien; seize property such as wages, bank accounts, and investments; or seize and sell vehicles, real estate, and business property. How long will it take for me to receive my refund? Timely filed, error-free tax returns take approximately 2 to 3 weeks for processing and issuance of a refund check. Is there a phone number that I can call to check on my refund? As long as your tax return has been processed, you may call (202) 727-4TAX to find out the status of your refund. If you filed electronically, you may check your refund status online at the Electronic Taxpayer Service Center.