Tax refunds are slower in 2024 and 2025 than they were five years ago, but the speed depends on how you file and whether the IRS flags your return for review
The IRS is processing returns more slowly across the board. A return filed electronically in early February might not arrive until late March or April, whereas a decade ago the same return would have landed in your account by mid-March. The slowdown is real, but it is not uniform — some returns move through in two weeks, others sit for six to eight weeks or longer.
The main culprits are understaffing at the IRS, an increase in returns that require manual review (especially those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit), and a backlog of returns from prior years that are still being processed. If your return is straightforward — W-2 income only, standard deduction, no credits — it will move faster than a return with self-employment income, rental losses, or multiple credits.
Key Takeaways
- Electronic filing with direct deposit is the fastest method; paper returns take 4 to 6 weeks longer than e-filed returns.
- Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, or American Opportunity Credit are flagged for additional review and typically take 6 to 12 weeks.
- You can check your refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool, which updates every 24 hours and shows the exact stage of processing.
- If your return has not moved in 21 days after e-filing, or 6 weeks after mailing a paper return, contact the IRS to confirm receipt.
How filing method affects your timeline
Electronic filing with direct deposit is the fastest route. The IRS receives your return within hours, and if there are no issues, your refund lands in your bank account within 21 days. That is the IRS's stated target, though in practice many returns take 25 to 35 days.
Paper returns move much slower. The IRS has to open the envelope, scan the documents, and enter the data by hand — a process that introduces delays and errors. A paper return typically takes 4 to 6 weeks longer than an e-filed return. If you mailed your return in early February, expect to wait until late March or early April.
If you file electronically but request a check instead of direct deposit, your refund takes an additional 7 to 10 days after processing is complete, because the IRS has to print and mail the check.
Why certain returns get held up for weeks
The IRS automatically flags returns for additional review if they claim certain credits. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) are the most common triggers. These credits are high-value and frequently claimed incorrectly, so the IRS verifies them before releasing your refund. A return with either of these credits typically takes 6 to 12 weeks to process, even if everything is correct.
Other reasons for delays include math errors, missing information (a Social Security number that does not match IRS records, for example), income reported on your return that does not match what your employer or bank reported to the IRS, or claiming a credit you are not may have access to to. If the IRS finds a discrepancy, it sends you a letter explaining what it needs. You then have 30 days to respond.
Identity theft and fraud detection also cause holds. If your return looks suspicious to the IRS's automated systems — for instance, if someone else filed a return using your Social Security number — the IRS freezes it and investigates. This can take weeks or months.
How to check your refund status right now
The IRS Where's My Refund tool is the official way to track your return. Go to irs.gov, click "Check Your Refund Status," and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once every 24 hours and shows you which stage your return is in: received, approved, or sent to your bank.
Do not rely on the tool if you filed fewer than 24 hours ago — it will not have your return yet. Wait at least one business day after e-filing before checking. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least three weeks before checking; the IRS needs time to receive, open, and scan it.
The tool will also tell you if the IRS needs more information from you. If it says "We received your return and it is being processed," your return is in the queue. If it says "We need more information," a letter is on its way to you, or one has already arrived.
What to do if your refund is delayed beyond the normal window
If you e-filed and your refund has not arrived 21 days after filing, or if the Where's My Refund tool still shows "received" after 35 days, contact the IRS. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (wait times are long, especially in March and April, but this is the official number). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready.
If you mailed a paper return and have not heard anything after 6 weeks, call the IRS as well. The IRS can confirm whether it received your return and where it is in the processing queue. If your return was lost in the mail, the IRS will tell you and walk you through filing an amended return.
If the IRS tells you your return is still being reviewed, ask how long the review typically takes and whether there is anything you can do to speed it up. In most cases, you cannot — you have to wait. But if the IRS is waiting for information from you, sending that information promptly will move your return forward.
Refunds delayed by prior-year issues
If you have unfiled tax returns from prior years, or if you owe back taxes, the IRS may hold your current-year refund to cover that debt. This is called offset. The IRS will send you a notice explaining the offset before it happens, but the notice sometimes arrives after the offset has already taken place.
If you receive an offset notice, you have the right to dispute it. You can request a hearing with the IRS Office of Appeals if you believe the offset was made in error. The process takes time, but it is free.
If you owe child support or student loans in default, federal or state agencies can also intercept your refund. The IRS has no control over this — it is a separate process. You will receive a notice from the agency that intercepted the funds, explaining why and how to contest it.
Comparing this year to last year and prior years
Refund processing times have been getting longer since 2020. In 2019, the average refund arrived within 21 days of e-filing. In 2023 and 2024, the average was closer to 30 to 40 days. The IRS attributes this to staffing shortages and an increase in returns that require manual review.
The IRS has said it is hiring more staff and investing in automation, but these changes take time to show up in processing speeds. For now, assume your refund will take longer than you remember it taking in the past. If it arrives faster, that is a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparer or software company?
No. Tax preparation software and paid preparers file your return electronically, which is the fastest method available, but they cannot speed up IRS processing. Some software companies offer "refund advance" loans, where they lend you money against your expected refund — but you pay interest or fees, and the loan does not actually speed up the IRS's work.
What if the IRS says my refund was sent but I never received it?
If the Where's My Refund tool shows your refund was sent to your bank but the money never arrived, contact your bank first. The refund may have been deposited to the wrong account if you made a typo on your return. If your bank confirms it never received the deposit, call the IRS and report it as missing. The IRS will investigate and may reissue your refund as a check.
Does filing early get my refund faster?
Filing early does not speed up processing, but it does mean your refund arrives earlier in the year. If you file in early February, your refund will arrive in late February or March. If you file in late April, it will arrive in May or June. The processing time is roughly the same either way — about 21 to 40 days — but the calendar date is earlier if you file early.
Will my refund be delayed if I claim the Child Tax Credit?
Probably. Returns claiming the Child Tax Credit are flagged for additional review and typically take 6 to 12 weeks to process. This is true even if your claim is correct. The IRS verifies the credit before releasing your refund, which adds time. If everything checks out, your refund will eventually arrive, but you should expect a longer wait than someone filing a simple return.
What happens if I file an amended return after I already got my refund?
An amended return (Form 1040-X) takes much longer to process than an original return — typically 8 to 12 weeks or more. If you are owed additional money, the IRS will send it as a check, not a direct deposit. If you owe money, the IRS will send you a bill. Do not file an amended return unless you have to; the processing delays are significant.