11/30/2025
Many different factors can affect the timing of your refund after we receive your return. Although the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, the IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.
Identity theft and refund fraud. Some returns may require additional review and may take longer to process. The IRS, along with its partners in the tax industry, continue to strengthen security reviews to help protect against identity theft and refund fraud.
Managing refund expectations. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS cannot issue these refunds before mid-February. This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits. Check Where’s My Refund in mid- to late-February for your personalized refund date.
Payment modernization. In accordance with Executive Order 14247, the IRS began phasing out paper tax refund checks on Sept. 30, 2025. For tax year 2025, the IRS will request banking information on all tax returns when filed to issue refunds via direct deposit or electronic funds transfer. For payments or remittances associated with fees, fines and taxes to the IRS, online payment options are the preferred method.
Returns requiring manual review. Some returns, filed electronically or on paper, may need manual review delaying the processing if our systems detect a possible error, the return is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. Some of these situations require us to correspond with taxpayers to gather additional information, but some do not. This work does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it may take the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund. In cases where the IRS can correct the return without requesting additional information, the IRS will make the correction and send an explanation to the taxpayer.
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