Yes, refunds are slower in 2024 and 2025 than they were before the pandemic

The IRS is processing returns more slowly than it did in the years before 2020. A return filed in early February used to arrive within two to three weeks; now the IRS says to expect 21 days for direct deposit and up to six weeks for a check. The agency has not returned to pre-pandemic speed, and there is no announced date when it will.

The slowdown is real and affects most filers. The IRS received 150 million returns in 2023 and processed them with fewer staff members than it had in 2015, even though the volume stayed roughly the same. Congress has funded hiring, but training new employees takes months, and the backlog from previous years still exists.

Your refund may arrive on time or it may not, depending on whether your return triggers a manual review, whether you filed electronically or on paper, and whether you chose direct deposit or a check. The 21-day and six-week timelines are estimates, not guarantees.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS estimates 21 days for direct deposit and up to six weeks for a check, but these are not may provide timelines and many returns take longer.
  • Returns filed on paper, returns with errors, and returns claiming certain credits are reviewed by hand and take significantly longer than electronic returns.
  • You can track your refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, which updates once per day.
  • If your refund does not arrive within the stated timeline, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or use the IRS website to find out why it is delayed.
  • Some delays are caused by identity theft holds or wage garnishment, which require separate action beyond waiting.

Why the IRS is slower now than it was five years ago

The IRS has fewer employees per return than it did before 2020. The agency's budget was cut in real dollars over the past decade, and hiring freezes meant experienced staff retired without being replaced. When the pandemic hit, the backlog grew because the IRS closed offices and processing centers. Even though Congress has funded new hiring since 2021, training a tax examiner or return processor takes four to six months, so the effect on speed is delayed.

The IRS also processes more complex returns now. More people work from home, more people have side income from gig work, and more people claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, which requires verification. Each of these adds steps to processing.

The agency has also prioritized accuracy over speed. Returns that look unusual—a large deduction, a refund that seems too big, a mismatch between what you reported and what your employer reported—are flagged for manual review instead of being processed automatically. This catches fraud and errors, but it slows down the refund for everyone else.

Which returns get stuck in manual review

The IRS does not publish a complete list of what triggers a manual review, but certain patterns are known to cause delays. If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit, your return is more likely to be reviewed because these credits are high-value and frequently claimed incorrectly. If you report business income or rental income, if you have a loss that is larger than your income, or if you claim a home office deduction, your return may be reviewed.

Returns filed on paper take longer than electronic returns because they must be scanned and entered by hand. If you filed on paper and your return was due to be processed in March, it may not arrive until May or June.

If there is a mismatch between what you reported and what your employer, bank, or brokerage reported to the IRS, the return is held for verification. For example, if your W-2 shows $50,000 in income but you reported $48,000, the IRS will hold the return and send you a letter asking you to explain the difference. This process takes weeks.

How to check the status of your refund right now

The IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov is the official way to track your return. You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in the same day will not give you new information.

The tool will tell you one of three things: your return is still being processed, your return has been approved and your refund is on the way, or there is a problem with your return and the IRS needs more information from you. If the tool says your return is still being processed after 21 days (for direct deposit) or six weeks (for a check), your return is delayed.

You can also use the IRS mobile app, which has the same information as the website. The app is called IRS2Go and is available on iOS and Android.

What to do if your refund is late

If your refund has not arrived within 21 days of filing electronically or six weeks of filing on paper, contact the IRS. Call 800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready.

The IRS phone line is busy during tax season, so expect to wait. If you cannot reach someone by phone, you can use the IRS website to request a callback. Go to IRS.gov, search for "callback," and fill out the form with your phone number and preferred time to be called. The IRS will call you within 24 hours during business days.

When you contact the IRS, they will tell you whether your return is still in the queue, whether it is being reviewed, or whether there is a hold on your refund. A hold can happen for several reasons: the IRS suspects identity theft, you owe back taxes or child support, or there is a mismatch between your return and third-party documents. Each of these requires different action.

Holds that stop your refund from being released

An identity theft hold means the IRS flagged your return as potentially fraudulent. This happens when someone else files a return using your Social Security number, or when your return looks unusual in a way that suggests fraud. If there is an identity theft hold, the IRS will send you a letter. You will need to respond to that letter with proof of your identity—usually a copy of your driver's license or passport. The process takes weeks.

A wage garnishment hold means you owe money to a federal agency or a state, and that agency has told the IRS to take your refund to pay the debt. This can happen if you owe back taxes, owe student loans in default, or owe child support. The IRS will send you a notice explaining what you owe and to whom. You can dispute the debt or set up a payment plan, but your refund will not be released until the issue is resolved.

A tax offset hold means the IRS is holding your refund because you owe taxes from a previous year. The IRS will apply your refund to the debt you owe. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining this.

If any of these holds are on your account, you cannot remove them by calling the IRS. You must respond to the notice you receive or work with the agency that placed the hold.

Direct deposit versus check: which arrives faster

Direct deposit is faster than a check. The IRS estimates 21 days for direct deposit and up to six weeks for a check. In practice, direct deposits often arrive within two to three weeks if your return does not require manual review, and checks take four to eight weeks.

Direct deposit also reduces the chance of your refund being lost or stolen. Once the IRS sends the money to your bank, it is in your account; a check can be lost in the mail or intercepted. If you filed your return and chose a check, you cannot change it to direct deposit after the fact.

If you are filing this year and have not yet submitted your return, choose direct deposit. Provide your routing number and account number from a checking or savings account. The IRS will deposit your refund directly into that account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparer or software company?

No. The IRS processes all returns at the same speed regardless of who prepared them or what software was used. Some tax software companies offer "rapid refund" or "instant refund" loans, which are loans against your expected refund, not the actual refund itself. You pay interest on these loans, so they cost money. The actual refund from the IRS takes the same 21 days to six weeks.

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

If the Where's My Refund tool says your refund has been approved and sent, but you have not received it after five business days (for direct deposit) or 15 business days (for a check), contact your bank or the IRS. For direct deposit, your bank may have rejected the deposit for technical reasons. For a check, it may have been lost in the mail. The IRS can issue a replacement check.

Do I need to do anything if my refund is delayed, or do I just wait?

If your refund is delayed but the Where's My Refund tool says it is still being processed, you can wait. If the tool says there is a problem or if your refund is more than six weeks late, contact the IRS. Do not assume the delay will resolve itself; some holds require you to take action.

Will I get interest if my refund is late?

Yes. If the IRS does not issue your refund by the due date of your return (usually April 15), you are may have access to to interest on the refund amount. The interest rate is set quarterly and is currently around 8 percent per year. The IRS calculates and pays this interest automatically; you do not need to request it. It will be included in your refund or sent separately.

Is there a way to avoid delays next year?

File electronically instead of on paper, choose direct deposit instead of a check, and make sure all the information on your return matches what your employer, bank, and brokerage reported to the IRS. Double-check your Social Security number, your filing status, and any income or deduction amounts before you submit. Errors and mismatches are the most common reason for manual review.