What is the timeline of refunds?
Most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days. The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit as the delivery method. Taxpayers who do this typically get their refund in less than 21 days.
| If the IRS accepts your return by: | Direct deposit typically arrives within 3 weeks (21 days) from the day your return is accepted: |
|---|---|
| Feb. 24 | Mar. 17 |
| Mar. 3 | Mar. 24 |
| Mar. 10 | Mar. 31 |
| Mar. 17 | Apr. 7 |
Most refunds will be issued in less than 21 days. You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you have e-filed your return. Refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight. Remember, the fastest way to get your refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit.
| Estimated Time to Receive Refund | E-file / Direct Deposit | Paper File / Direct Deposit or Mailed Check |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 weeks (21 days)1 | ✅ | |
| Up to 3 weeks (21 days)2 | ||
| Up to 8 weeks (42 to 56 days)3 | ✅ |
If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.
IRS Tax Refund Deposit Schedule
The IRS processes tax refunds on weekdays, specifically Monday through Friday. Refunds are typically issued within 21 days after the IRS accepts your tax return. However, several factors can influence this timeline.
| Date return is filed and accepted: | Date Direct Deposit may arrive: | Date mailed check may arrive: |
|---|---|---|
| February 17* | March 10 | April 18 |
| February 24 | March 17 | April 25 |
| March 3 | March 24 | May 2 |
| March 10 | March 31 | May 9 |
| Filing method | E-file/Direct deposit | Paper file/Check |
|---|---|---|
| Refund time | 1-3 weeks | 2 months |
Taxpayers can view status of refund 10 days after their refund has been sent by the Assessing Officer to the Refund Banker. Status of 'paid' refund, being paid other than through 'Refund Banker', can also be viewed at www.tin-nsdl.com by entering the 'PAN' and 'Assessment Year'.
Wait times can average 3 minutes. Some phone lines may have longer wait times. Wait times are longer on Mondays and Tuesdays, during Presidents Day weekend and around the April tax filing deadline.
How long after IRS sends a refund to bank will I get it?
While a person can choose direct deposit whether they file their taxes on paper or electronically, a taxpayer who e-files will typically see their refund in less than 21 days. Taxpayers can track their refund using "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov or by downloading the IRS2Go mobile app.
No significant tax refund delays for now
The IRS began accepting and processing tax returns for early filers on Jan. 27 and has remained on track even after the first round of layoffs at the IRS hit in late February.
IRS deposits always hit between 10 to noon for me, probably due to time zone difference.
You can contact the IRS to check on the status of your refund. If you call, wait times to speak with a representative can be long. But you can avoid the wait by using the automated phone system. Follow the message prompts when you call.
To process your refund, it usually takes: Up to 21 days for an e-filed return. 4 weeks or more for amended returns and returns sent by mail. Longer if your return needs corrections or extra review.
Most federal tax refunds are issued within 21 days, but some may take longer if the return requires additional review. How do you check the status of your IRS federal refund? First, check the IRS Where's My Refund? site to get the most updated status of your 2024 refund.
Most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days. The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit as the delivery method. Taxpayers who do this typically get their refund in less than 21 days.
If you received more than $11,600 in investment income or income from rentals, royalties, or stock and other asset sales during 2024, you can't qualify for the EIC. This amount increased from $11,000 in 2023. You have to be 25 or older but under 65 to qualify for the EIC.
| Accumulated State PIT Withholding | Payday | PIT and SDI Deposit Due By |
|---|---|---|
| $350 to $500 | Any day | 15th of the following month |
| More than $500 | Wed, Thurs, or Fri | Following Wednesday |
| More than $500 | Sat, Sun, Mon, or Tues | Following Friday |
The IRS typically processes tax refunds and executes direct deposit transactions within 21 days after accepting your tax return. It's common for the IRS to issue them on business days, from Monday through Friday.
How much per child on taxes in 2025?
In 2025 (taxes filed next year), the child tax credit will remain at $2,000 per dependent, with a maximum refundable amount of $1,700. A key factor to watch this year is whether Congress extends the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) beyond 2025.
The time it normally takes to receive a refund in California: e-file: Up to 3 weeks.
| If the IRS Accepts an E-Filed Return By: | Then Direct Deposit refund may be received as early as 10 days after e-file accepted. (E-filed, but paper check mailed apx. 1 week after that): |
|---|---|
| Feb. 24 | Mar. 7 (Mar. 14) |
| Mar. 3 | Mar. 14 (Mar. 21) |
| Mar. 10 | Mar. 21 (Mar. 28) |
| Mar. 17 | Mar. 28 (Apr. 4) |
According to the IRS, if you file a completed and accurate tax return electronically, then you can expect to get your federal refund in less than 3 weeks, and even faster if you've chosen direct deposit into your checking account, rather than waiting for a check in the mail.
| Filing and delivery type | Estimated delivery time (from date return is accepted to receipt of tax refund) |
|---|---|
| E-file with direct deposit | Up to 3 weeks |
| Paper file with direct deposit | 4 to 8 weeks |
| E-file with refund check in the mail | 4 weeks |
| Paper file with refund check in the mail | 4 to 8 weeks |
