Tax refunds are slower in 2024 and 2025 than they were before the pandemic, and the IRS has named the reasons why

The IRS is processing refunds more slowly than it did five to ten years ago. The agency has fewer staff members than it did in 2010, even though the number of tax returns filed each year has grown. Paper returns take especially long — the IRS says it can take up to six months to process a paper return, compared to about three weeks for an electronically filed return with direct deposit.

If you filed electronically and chose direct deposit, you should see your refund within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return. If you filed on paper, mailed a check, or chose a paper check instead of direct deposit, your refund will take longer. The IRS publishes a "Where's My Refund?" tool on its website that shows the status of your specific return — that is the most reliable way to know whether your refund is actually delayed or simply still in the normal queue.

Refunds are also held up when the IRS needs to verify information on your return. This happens more often now because the agency is trying to catch identity theft and fraud. If your return is flagged for review, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining what documents or information the IRS needs from you.

Key Takeaways

  • Electronic returns with direct deposit typically process within 21 days, but paper returns can take up to six months.
  • The IRS has fewer staff members than a decade ago, which slows processing across all return types.
  • The "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov shows your actual refund status and is more reliable than calling or guessing.
  • If the IRS needs more information from you, you will receive a letter in the mail — watch for it and respond promptly to avoid further delays.
  • Identity theft and fraud prevention now causes the IRS to hold and review more returns than it did previously.

How to check your refund status without waiting for a letter

Go to IRS.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will not show new information.

The tool will tell you one of three things: the IRS has received your return and is processing it, the IRS has approved your refund and it is on its way, or the IRS needs more information from you. If it says the IRS needs information, a letter is already in the mail or will arrive within a few days. Do not wait for the letter to arrive before you start gathering the documents it will ask for — common requests include proof of income, proof of a dependent, or verification that you are the person who filed the return.

If you filed a paper return, the tool may not show any status for several weeks. This is normal. Paper returns are sorted and data-entered by hand, which takes time before the IRS system even registers that your return exists.

Why paper returns take so much longer than electronic ones

Paper returns must be opened, sorted, and manually entered into the IRS computer system before processing can begin. Electronic returns go directly into the system. The IRS processes paper returns in batches, and if your return arrives during a high-volume period, it may sit in a queue for weeks before anyone opens the envelope.

The IRS has also reduced the number of facilities that process paper returns. Consolidating this work into fewer locations saves money but increases the time each return spends waiting. A paper return filed in early April may not be entered into the system until late May or early June.

If you filed on paper and have not seen any status in the "Where's My Refund?" tool after eight weeks, contact the IRS directly. You can call 1-800-829-1040 (the main IRS customer service line) or visit a local IRS office. Bring a copy of your return and your Social Security card.

What happens when the IRS holds your return for review

The IRS flags returns for review when something on the return does not match information it already has on file, when a dependent or credit looks unusual, or when the return shows signs of identity theft or fraud. This is not punishment — it is a verification step. Millions of returns are reviewed each year, and most are approved after the IRS receives the information it asks for.

When your return is held for review, the IRS will mail you a letter. The letter will explain exactly what information or documents you need to send. Common requests include a copy of your birth certificate or passport to prove your identity, a copy of your child's birth certificate to prove a dependent, or a 1098 or 1099 form to verify income or deductions you claimed.

Respond to the letter as quickly as you can. The IRS gives you a deadline — usually 30 days from the date on the letter. If you miss the deadline, the IRS may deny the items you claimed and recalculate your refund, which could mean you owe money instead of receiving a refund. If you need more time, you can call the number on the letter and ask for an extension.

Refund delays caused by identity theft or fraud holds

If someone filed a tax return using your Social Security number before you did, the IRS will hold your return. This is a fraud prevention measure. The IRS will contact you by mail and ask you to verify your identity and confirm which return is actually yours. This process can add two to three months to your refund timeline.

If you suspect identity theft, do not wait for the IRS to contact you. File Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, with your tax return or send it to the IRS separately. You can also contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490. Having documentation that you reported the theft before the IRS discovered it can speed up the verification process.

You should also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and consider freezing your credit. These steps protect you from other forms of identity theft beyond tax fraud.

When to contact the IRS about a delayed refund

Contact the IRS if your refund is more than 21 days late and you filed electronically with direct deposit, or more than six months late if you filed on paper. You can also contact the IRS if the "Where's My Refund?" tool has not shown any status update in more than 30 days.

Call 1-800-829-1040 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. your local time, Monday through Friday. Wait times are longest in March, April, and May. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, you can visit a local IRS office in person. Find the nearest office at IRS.gov under "Contact Us."

Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready when you call. The IRS representative can look up your return and tell you where it is in the queue. If there is a problem — such as a missing document or a data entry error — the representative can sometimes fix it on the spot or escalate your case to a specialist.

What to do if your refund arrives as a check instead of direct deposit

If you requested direct deposit but your refund arrived as a paper check, the check will have a mailing date printed on it. The IRS typically mails checks on Thursdays, and they usually arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If more than two weeks have passed since the mailing date and you have not received the check, it may have been lost in the mail.

Contact the IRS and provide the mailing date from the "Where's My Refund?" tool. The IRS can issue a replacement check or deposit the refund directly to your bank account if you provide your routing and account numbers. Requesting a replacement takes about two weeks.

If you find the original check after you have already requested a replacement, do not cash both. Contact the IRS again and let them know the original arrived. Cashing both checks is considered fraud and can result in penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it actually take to get a tax refund right now?

If you filed electronically with direct deposit, expect 21 days. If you filed on paper or requested a paper check, expect up to six months. If the IRS needs to verify information on your return, add two to four weeks. If there is identity theft involved, add two to three months.

Can I speed up my tax refund?

File electronically and choose direct deposit — this is the fastest method. Avoid paper returns and paper checks. If you are owed a refund, do not claim deductions or credits you are unsure about, because uncertainty triggers a review. If you have already filed, you cannot speed up processing, but you can check status daily using the "Where's My Refund?" tool.

What if the IRS says my refund was approved but I still haven't received it?

If direct deposit was approved, check your bank account — the deposit may have posted but not yet shown in your available balance. If you requested a paper check, allow 7 to 10 business days from the mailing date. If more than two weeks have passed, contact the IRS to request a replacement check or direct deposit.

Do I need to do anything if the IRS is reviewing my return?

Wait for the letter. When it arrives, gather the documents it asks for and mail them back before the deadline. Do not send documents the IRS did not ask for — extra paperwork can slow things down. If you have questions about what the letter is asking for, call the number printed on the letter.

What happens if I never receive my refund?

If your refund was approved and direct deposited but never arrived, contact your bank first — the deposit may have been rejected due to a closed account or incorrect routing number. If your bank has no record of the deposit, contact the IRS. If a check was mailed but never arrived, the IRS can issue a replacement or deposit the money directly.