No automatic second refund is coming from the IRS for most people

The IRS does not send out a second tax refund to everyone after they receive their annual return. If you filed your 2024 tax return and received a refund, that is typically the only refund you will get for that tax year unless something changes in your filing or the IRS corrects an error on its end.

The confusion often comes from news about stimulus payments, child tax credits, or other one-time federal programs that arrived as separate payments. Those were distinct programs with their own rules and timelines — not automatic follow-ups to your regular refund. If you are waiting for money from the IRS, you need to know which program it actually came from.

Key Takeaways

  • A second refund does not automatically arrive after your annual tax refund unless you amend your return or the IRS corrects an error.
  • Stimulus payments, child tax credits, and recovery rebates were separate programs with their own payment schedules and have largely ended.
  • If you think you are owed money, check your IRS account online or call the IRS directly rather than waiting for an unexpected payment.
  • State tax refunds are separate from federal refunds and arrive on their own timeline, which varies by state.
  • If you filed an amended return or claimed a credit you did not receive, the IRS will send a separate refund check or deposit once it processes the change.

When the IRS sends a second refund for the same tax year

A second refund can arrive if you file an amended return after your original one was processed. Form 1040-X is the amended return form, and you file it when you realize you missed a deduction, made an error, or forgot to claim a credit. The IRS processes amended returns separately, and a refund from that correction arrives weeks or months after the original refund.

The IRS also sends a separate refund if it finds an error on your original return during processing. This is less common but does happen — for example, if the IRS recalculates your withholding or catches a math mistake. You will receive a notice explaining the change before the refund arrives.

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) and those were not included in your original refund, they may arrive as a second payment. This happens when the IRS needs extra time to verify your income or dependent information. The timeline can stretch into summer or fall.

Programs that sent separate payments (and whether they are still running)

Economic Impact Payments — the stimulus checks — were sent in three rounds: 2020, 2021, and 2021 again. Those programs ended. If you did not receive one and think you should have, you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return, but the payment itself will not arrive separately. It will be part of your refund when you file.

The Child Tax Credit expansion of 2021 sent monthly payments to families from July through December. That program also ended. If you received advance payments and they do not match what you are owed for the full year, the difference settles when you file your return — either as a refund or a reduction in your refund.

The American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Saver's Credit, and other annual credits do not send separate payments. They reduce your tax bill or increase your refund when you file your return. If you think you should have received one and did not see it in your refund, you may have missed claiming it on your return.

How to check if money is actually coming from the IRS

Log into your IRS account at irs.gov and select "View your tax account" or "Get transcript." You can see your filing status, the refund amount the IRS shows, and whether any payments have been issued. This is the most direct way to know what the IRS has on record for you.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you do not have online access or prefer to speak to someone. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your return ready. The wait time is often long, but the IRS can tell you exactly what is pending or what has been sent.

If you filed an amended return, check the status using Form 1040-X tracking. The IRS website has a tool for this under "Where's My Amended Return?" The processing time is typically 16 weeks from the date you filed the amendment, though it can take longer during busy periods.

State tax refunds arrive on a separate timeline

Your state refund is completely separate from your federal refund and follows its own schedule. Some states process refunds in two to three weeks; others take six to eight weeks or longer. A few states still mail paper checks, while most offer direct deposit if you provided banking information.

Check your state's tax agency website for refund status. Most states have a tool where you enter your Social Security number and refund amount to see where it stands. The name and web address vary by state — search "[your state] tax refund status" to find the right page.

If your state refund is taking longer than the posted timeline, contact the state tax agency directly. Delays can happen if the state is verifying income, if there is a hold on your account, or if the state is processing a high volume of returns.

What to do if you think you are owed money but have not received it

First, confirm what you are actually waiting for. Pull up your tax return and check the refund amount shown. Log into your IRS account and see what the IRS processed. If those numbers match and the IRS shows the refund was issued, the money is either on its way or already in your account — check your bank or wait for the mail if you chose a paper check.

If the IRS shows a refund was issued but you have not received it, the timeline depends on how it was sent. Direct deposits typically arrive within one to two business days of the IRS releasing the payment. Paper checks take seven to ten business days in the mail, sometimes longer depending on postal delays.

If the IRS shows no refund pending and you believe you are owed one, file an amended return or contact the IRS to report the discrepancy. Do not wait for a payment that the IRS has no record of. The sooner you report it, the sooner it can be corrected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a second refund if I made a mistake on my original return?

Yes. File Form 1040-X (amended return) to correct the error. The IRS will process it separately and send a refund for the difference. Processing typically takes 16 weeks, though it can be longer during peak season.

Why did my refund arrive in two separate deposits?

The IRS sometimes splits refunds when processing credits or corrections. For example, your main refund might arrive first, then a second deposit for the EITC or ACTC a few weeks later. Both are part of your original return — not a second refund.

Is there a second stimulus payment coming?

No. The three rounds of Economic Impact Payments ended in 2021. If you did not receive one you were owed, you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return, and the amount will be included in your refund.

How long should I wait before calling the IRS about a missing refund?

If you filed electronically, wait at least 21 days. If you mailed a paper return, wait at least four weeks. After that, check your IRS account online or call 1-800-829-1040 to confirm the status.

Will my state refund arrive at the same time as my federal refund?

No. State and federal refunds are processed separately and arrive on different timelines. Some states refund in two to three weeks; others take six to eight weeks or longer. Check your state's tax agency website for the specific timeline.