Where is my refund? IRS has changes for the 2025 tax season : NPR

Tax refunds for e-filed returns are usually processed within 10 days of the e-file acceptance date. Refunds from paper returns can take six to eight weeks to process from the date the return was received. If you request an extension, the deadline is Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Keep reading to learn more about deadlines for 2024 tax returns, and how to track the progress of your tax refund. Many tax software companies and tax professionals will be accepting tax returns before Jan. 29 and then will submit the returns Legal E-Billing when IRS systems “Go Live”. The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns electronically for faster refunds.

Check your tax return’s status

The IRS will begin accepting 2023 tax returns on January 29, 2024, with nearly 165 million individual tax returns expected to be filed in 2024. When the IRS got the first infusion of money in 2022, “they immediately went out and hired some 5,000 new people who could assist taxpayers,” Holtzblatt says. The IRS says most refunds will be issued within 21 days of your filing date.

• The weeks before the deadline are when the IRS processes the highest number of returns.
• There is no faster way for taxpayers to speed up their tax refund dates.
• In general, the IRS says that returns with refunds are processed and payments issued within 21 days, and often in as little as 10 days.
• The IRS reminds taxpayers that the fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and using direct deposit.
• We will also discuss how to use the IRS refund schedule to estimate when your refund will arrive.
• •   The delivery option you choose for your refund also can affect how quickly you receive your funds.
• If the information you provide is wrong or something is missing, you can expect the IRS to contact you for additional documentation or to correct the error.

Accounting & Auditing

Paper filers should anticipate a longer waiting period, typically 6 to 8 weeks from the date of mailing their tax returns. It’s important to ensure that all information is accurate to avoid delays. Taxpayers can also use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications to find trusted professionals. The IRS also reminds taxpayers that choosing someone affiliated with a recognized national tax association is always a good option. Tax professionals accepted into the IRS electronic filing program are authorized IRS e-file providers, qualified to prepare, transmit and process electronically filed tax returns.

Tax refund timing can be delayed

The fastest option is to file electronically and have the refund direct-deposited. The IRS says refunds will generally be received by taxpayers sooner if they have e-filed and selected direct deposit. Even if you prefer mailing in a paper return, you can choose to have your refund deposited into your account.

• Taxpayers residing in a federally declared disaster area may have additional time to file and pay federal taxes.
• The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (aka “PATH Act”) prevents the IRS from issuing early refunds on any tax return claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and/or Additional Child Tax Credit.
• Even if you prefer mailing in a paper return, you can choose to have your refund deposited into your account.
• This article provides you with an estimated tax refund schedule and details about tax refunds.
• The deadline to file returns in 2024 is April 15 (this sometimes varies based on weekends or state holidays).

Filing electronically reduces tax return errors as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information. Most taxpayers can receive their refunds within 21 days of e-filing, provided their tax what are retained earnings returns are error-free. Those filing paper returns should prepare for a longer wait, usually 6 to 8 weeks from the mailing date. Your tax refund arrival will depend on when you filed your return, how you filed it, and how you indicated you’d receive your tax refund. Typically, filing electronically with direct deposit is quickest, with the refund arriving within three weeks.

Anyone can get their tax refund faster by e-filing and opting to receive their refund via direct deposit. To check your refund’s status, you’ll need to know the “exact whole dollar refund amount shown on your tax return,” the IRS says, so make sure you have that on hand. Consider adjusting your withholdings to better match your tax liability. Several factors can influence how quickly you receive your tax refund. Combining e-filing with direct deposit is the quickest way to receive a refund.

Tax season is here, and if you’re eagerly anticipating your refund, understanding the timeline can help you plan your tax refund definition finances. However, to do this, you have to already have a myRA account before filing your return. This year, you also have the option of having your refund partially or fully deposited into your myRA account. This puts more money in your pocket now but reduces your refund later. ✝ To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. An online budget planner can help you decide the appropriate percentages for needs and wants.