With the tax filing deadline looming Tuesday, millions of taxpayers are counting on receiving back some of the money they’ve already paid in federal income tax. According to a recent survey, most Americans plan to use their refund check to afford basic necessities or pay down debt.
Did you file your return weeks ago, but you’re still waiting for the money? Let’s set your mind at ease by clarifying how long it usually takes the IRS to process income tax refunds, the reasons it might be delayed, and how you can use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website to track the status of your refund.
How long does it take the IRS to process a federal tax return?
According to the IRS, if you e-file your return, you should see the refund check within 21 days or sooner. This is especially true if you receive your refund via direct deposit into your savings or checking account. The IRS says 90% of taxpayers generally receive their federal tax refund check within this timeframe.
10 reasons your tax refund might be delayed
If it’s been more than 21 days and you’re still asking “where’s my refund,” there could be some simple reasons for the delay. Any of the following scenarios could result in a longer processing time for filers.
- There are mistakes on your tax forms
Nobody’s perfect, so tax preparation errors are a common reason for refund delays. And it’s not just adding up numbers wrong. For instance, an incorrect Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) can flag your return and get it sent back to you to update or amend.
- Your return is missing information
If you breeze through your tax filing and forget to sign, skip a line, or miss including a form, you’ll probably have a longer wait. It pays to slow down and double-check your work or use tax software such as H&R Block to ensure you don’t miss something crucial.
- Entering incorrect bank account information
Maybe your e-filing was precise and perfect right up until you put the wrong number into your direct deposit information. If the IRS can’t complete your refund, they’ll let you know. But if your money makes it into the wrong bank account, all bets are off. At that point, you’re responsible for contacting the bank directly to get it back.
- Claiming certain tax credits
Some tax credits can delay your refund, especially if you file early. For instance, the additional child tax credit and the earned income tax credit (EITC) are refundable tax credits that put money back into taxpayers’ pockets. But they can’t be disbursed by law until late February or early March. And claiming these tax credits may subject your return to some additional scrutiny about whether you qualify to receive a refund.
- You filed an amended return
If you made a simple mistake in your filing, the IRS will likely correct your error. However, you’ll have to file an amended return if you have to change your filing status, income, deductions or credits you claimed, or declare additional income. Processing a Form 1040X for an amended return may take anywhere from 8-12 weeks.
- You filed a paper return
You can still file a paper return by U.S. mail with the IRS, but they’re up-front about the fact that this could result in significant delays. The IRS website details which month’s paper returns they’re currently working on, and it’s usually anywhere from 4-6 weeks from when the tax filing was received.
If you choose to receive your refund as a paper check delivered to your home address, that can also cause delays. Keep in mind, according to an executive order, the U.S. Treasury will no longer issue paper checks, including paper tax refund checks, after Sept. 30, 2025.
- Your refund has been offset
The IRS withholds or seizes refunds over certain types of debt. It’s called a tax refund offset. For example, if you owe child support, state taxes, or student loans that have gone into delinquency, you may receive a notice from the U.S. Treasury that your refund is being taken to offset those debts.
- You’ve been a victim of identity theft
One of the most common forms of tax fraud is identity theft, when someone files a tax return and claims a refund on your behalf. This type of fraud is why the IRS advises closely tracking your refund status. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of tax-related identity theft, contact the IRS immediately.
- You submitted your tax return early (or late) in the season
The IRS experiences bottlenecks due to volume, just like any other agency or department. If you submitted early, your refund may be delayed because you claimed certain tax credits. If you barely got your filing in under the deadline, your refund may get delayed by the deluge of returns the IRS receives at the end of every tax season.
- You’re under audit from a previous tax year
It might not feel fair, but if you’re under audit from a previous tax year, your tax return will likely get flagged this year for additional review. Since it’s likely to be under additional review, getting advice from a tax professional may be worthwhile to ensure your federal filing is accurate before you submit it.
How to track your refund using the IRS ‘Where’s My Refund’ tool
You don’t have to guess why your tax refund hasn’t hit your bank account because the IRS will tell you. Visit the “Where’s My Refund” tool to check your refund status and see if there’s been an issue holding up the processing of your return.
You’ll need a few pieces of information, including your Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number, your filing status, and your exact refund amount. If the IRS needs more information, they’ll update this page with details about how to proceed. You can also contact the IRS and speak to an agent at 1-800-829-1040.
The fastest way to get your refund? Choose e-file and use direct deposit.
If time is of the essence, follow the IRS tax tips for a speedy tax refund and submit via e-file with direct deposit. Having the funds electronically deposited into your bank account is free, and you can specify if you want to split the refund between two or three different accounts.
Keep in mind that if you don’t see the deposit clear, but the IRS says it’s been issued, you may have to wait a few days for it to show up in your bank account.
When should you contact the IRS about a tax refund delay?
If it’s been 21 days since you filed electronically and the IRS website tracking tool doesn’t say why your refund is delayed, you can reach out for more information. For individual returns, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also visit a local Taxpayer Assistance Center to learn more about your refund status.
Tax refund delay FAQs
- How do I know if my tax return has been flagged for review?
If your income tax return requires additional review, you’ll be notified via both the IRS refund status tracker and by mail. If you simply need to amend your return or provide more information, the IRS will let you know how to proceed. If you are being audited, you’ll receive a specific notice called a CP05, and the IRS will reach out with any next steps.
- If my federal tax return is delayed, does that mean I’m being audited?
Delays in processing your federal tax return don’t always mean you’re being audited or that anything is wrong. Often, delays are simply a result of when you file and whether you filled out the forms accurately. Only a small fraction of tax filings are selected for automatic review or audit. Most tax returns that are flagged for an audit have incomplete or incorrect information.
