The IRS starts processing your income tax return as soon as they receive it. But how long does it take to receive your tax refund after processing begins?
What is the IRS tax refund schedule for tax year 2024?
The IRS generally processes e-filed returns and sends refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days. If you’re a paper filer, processing time can take much longer. Once you’ve filed, you can track your federal tax refund on the IRS website using the Where’s My Refund? tool.
The IRS encourages all filers to file electronically to receive their income tax refund in a timely manner this tax season. Not only is this the fastest way to receive your tax refund, but it’s safe, secure, and easy to do yourself online when using online tax preparation software like TaxAct®.
Note: Even if you e-file, your refund may take longer than 21 days. However, this usually only happens if your tax return requires further review from the IRS.
When can I expect my tax refund for tax year 2024?
If you e-file and there are no issues with your tax return, here’s when you can expect to receive your tax refund:
- If you chose direct deposit to your financial institution, you should receive your tax refund within 21 days.
- If you opted for a tax refund check, you may be waiting a little longer — the U.S. Treasury typically takes more time to issue paper checks.
What issues could delay my tax refund?
Your tax refund could take longer than 21 days if you did your tax filing on paper, the return was incomplete, or it included errors. Fraud, tax identity theft, or even a typo in your Social Security number could delay your tax refund. In some instances, you may need to submit an amended return.
When should I expect my tax refund in 2025 if I claim the EITC?
No matter how early you file, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or have dependents and claim the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), you likely will not receive your refund via bank account or debit card until at least Feb. 28, or potentially a few days earlier. By tax law, the IRS cannot issue these tax refunds until mid-February due to the PATH Act. That’s why, if you claimed one of these credits, the estimated date to receive your refund is Feb. 28, depending on when you filed of course.
Another thing that could delay your tax refund is filing Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation. The IRS could take up to 14 weeks to process these returns.
How can I track my tax refund?
You can easily track your tax refund status with the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool. You can find it on the IRS.gov website or through the IRS2Go app on mobile.
When will I get my state tax refund?
The time it takes to receive your state tax refund varies by state and depends on whether you submitted a complete and accurate return. Like federal refunds, you’ll typically receive your state refund faster if you e-file. For more info, check out Where’s My State Refund? Track Your Refund in Every State.
What day of the week does the IRS update my tax refund status?
The IRS updates refund statuses once weekly on Wednesdays. If you e-file, wait at least 72 hours before tracking your refund status, or at least four weeks if you file a paper return. Once the IRS confirms receipt of your federal tax return and you wait the appropriate amount of time, you should be able to check the status of your refund.
The bottom line
Understanding the IRS refund process can help you manage your expectations and avoid surprises during filing season. By e-filing using tax software (like TaxAct!) and opting for direct deposit, you can often receive your tax refund faster and more securely. If you encounter any delays, remember to use the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool to track your status and stay up to date with your refund information. Planning ahead and filing early will also help ensure you receive your refund as smoothly as possible.
For the next tax season, consider utilizing a reliable tax calculator to estimate your refund amount before filing to eliminate surprises.