t’s that time of the year again—tax season is here! Millions of taxpayers are already filing their 2024 taxes, and refunds will soon start rolling in. The good news is, you don’t have to wait without knowing where your refund is. The IRS has made it easy to check the status of your tax refund, so you can know exactly when to expect your payment.
IRS Refund Schedule 2025: What You Need to Know
The IRS opened the 2025 tax filing season on January 27, and processing of federal tax returns for the year 2024 has already begun. If you filed your return electronically, you can check your refund status within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return. However, if you sent a paper return, it may take up to four weeks for the IRS to process it.
According to the IRS, most tax refunds are issued within 21 days. But some refunds can take longer if your return needs additional review, which could be due to errors or more complex situations.
IRS Refund Schedule: When Can You Expect Your Refund?
Here’s a general idea of how the refund process works:
- E-Filed Returns: After you file your taxes online, you can start checking your refund status within 24 hours of the IRS confirming they’ve received your return.
- Paper Returns: If you mail in a paper return, it can take up to four weeks for the IRS to process it before you can check the status of your refund.
How Many People Are Waiting for Refunds?
The IRS expects over 140 million individual tax returns to be filed by the April 15 deadline. This means millions of people will be waiting for their refunds, which is why it’s important to check your status early on to avoid delays.
Why Do Tax Refunds Matter?
Many people depend on their tax refunds to cover their living expenses. With rising costs of living, inflation, and debt, tax refunds are a critical financial lifeline for many families. A recent survey by Intuit Credit Karma found that 37% of Americans rely on their tax refunds to cover essential needs. The situation is even more pronounced among millennials, with 50% of them depending on their refunds for necessities like bills, groceries, and rent.
How to Track Your IRS Refund: The “Where’s My Refund?” Tool
If you’re wondering, “Where’s my refund?”—the IRS has a simple solution. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website or the IRS2Go mobile app lets you track the status of your refund.
This tool updates once a day, usually overnight, so you can check it daily to get the latest update. Here’s how to use it:
What You Need to Check Your Refund Status:
To track your refund, you’ll need:
- Your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.)
- The exact refund amount you expect to receive.
Refund Statuses You Might See:
- Return Received: This means the IRS has received your return and is processing it.
- Refund Approved: This indicates that your refund has been approved, and they’re preparing to send it.
- Refund Sent: Your refund has been sent to your bank account or to your mailing address. If it’s being sent electronically, it may take up to 5 days to show up in your account. For checks in the mail, it could take several weeks to arrive.
Common Issues that Can Delay Your Refund
While most refunds are processed quickly, sometimes things can go wrong, and your refund may be delayed. The IRS can delay refunds for a variety of reasons, including:
- Errors on Your Tax Return: Mistakes like incorrect Social Security numbers, misspelled names, or missing information can cause delays.
- Inaccurate Refund Amounts: If the refund amount listed on your return is incorrect, it may require further review.
- Claiming Credits: If you claim tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC), the IRS may take longer to process your refund.
What to Do If Your Refund Is Delayed
If your refund is delayed, don’t panic. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Check the Status: Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool regularly to check for updates.
- Contact the IRS: If it’s been more than 21 days (or 6 weeks if you filed by paper) and you haven’t received your refund or an update, you can contact the IRS directly. Be prepared for longer wait times on the phone due to the high volume of inquiries during tax season.
Final Thoughts on Checking Your Refund
Waiting for your tax refund can feel like a long wait, but using the IRS tools to track your refund will help keep you informed. Stay on top of your filing status, ensure there are no mistakes on your return, and make sure you have all the right information when checking the status.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.