Taxpayers will soon be excited to get their returns with tax season just around the corner. According to the IRS, they will begin processing tax returns on January 27th, 2025. That means those filing early can potentially see their refunds in as early as mid-February. Keep reading to discover important information about checking your tax refund status and what can be expected from this tax season.
How refunds work
The IRS processes millions of individual tax returns annually. Most refunds are issued within 21 days of receipt when an electronically filed return is received. Paper return processing takes a bit longer , sometimes up to six or eight weeks. Here’s the general timing for when you might get your refund, based on how you file:
- Filing method: E-file is faster than mailing a paper return.
- Refund method: Choosing direct deposit for your refund will shorten the time it takes to get your refund by a long shot compared to a paper check.
- Accuracy of information: Errors on your tax return will also slow things down. Some of the most common errors include incorrect SSNs, misspelled names, or incorrect bank account info for direct deposits.
Taxpayers can anticipate that by e-filing their returns on January 27, they may be able to receive their refunds on or about February 17, provided everything goes accordingly.
How to check your tax refund status
For those taxpayers seeking a status update of their tax refund, the IRS has provided for use a tool titled, Where’s My Refund? Through a three-step progression, taxpayers are able to follow along the procession of their refund through this feature:
- Return Received
- Refund Approved
- Refund Sent
You can access this tool online or with the IRS2Go mobile app. Here is what you will need to check your status:
- Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Filing status (for example, single, married)
- The exact whole dollar amount of your expected refund
The data is updated every day, so it’s best to check back once a day or so after you file your return.
For e-filed returns, you can check your refund status 24 hours after the IRS accepts your return. For paper returns, it takes about four weeks before the status is available. Readers might also want to know, Have I lost my IRS Tax Refund if it takes more than 21 days to arrive?
Expected refund timetables
The IRS has tried to provide some estimated times of receiving your refund according to your method of filing :
- E-file & direct deposit: 1–3 weeks (most around 2 weeks)
- Paper file & direct deposit: About 3 weeks
- E-file & paper check by mail: 6–8 weeks
- Paper file & paper check by mail: 6–8 weeks
These times are approximate, and the actual time can vary depending on filing volume and any errors on the filed returns.
Tips to get your refund faster
To get your tax refund faster, here are some tips for you:
- File early: The earlier you file your tax return, the earlier the IRS can process it.
- Use E-filing: Electronic returns are processed faster than paper returns.
- Opt for direct deposit: Nine out of ten taxpayers who opt for direct deposit get their refunds in less than three weeks.
- Double-check your information: Before sending in your return go through all information to make sure it is correct so that you avoid common mistakes which can hold up processing.
In doing this you will greatly increase your likelihood of getting your refund promptly and hassle-free. Knowing how to check your tax refund status is helpful in setting proper expectations as we go into the 2025 tax season.
Read more: IRS announces date when it will begin accepting 2024 tax returns – The day is coming for millions of Americans
Read more: Bad news for the Child Tax Credit – This is the deadline for Congress to make changes to the CTC for future tax returns
