Millions of American taxpayers are anticipating their 2025 IRS tax refund, a significant financial event for many households. Understanding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refund schedule, potential delays, and factors influencing refund amounts is crucial for effective financial planning. While the IRS aims to issue most refunds within 21 days for electronically filed returns with direct deposit, various circumstances can extend this timeline.
Understanding the 2025 IRS Tax Refund Schedule
The 2025 tax filing season officially commenced on January 27, 2025, with the IRS beginning to accept and process federal individual tax returns. The traditional deadline for filing 2024 tax returns was April 15, 2025.Taxpayers who requested an extension were granted until October 15, 2025, to file their returns, though any taxes owed were still due by the April 15 deadline to avoid penalties and interest, according to the IRS.
The timing of a tax refund largely depends on how and when a return was filed. Electronic filing (e-filing) combined with direct deposit remains the fastest method for receiving refunds. The IRS typically issues most refunds within 21 days for e-filed returns that do not require additional review. For paper-filed returns, processing times are considerably longer, often taking four weeks or more.
For those who filed between May 1 and May 15, 2025, e-filers with direct deposit could expect their refunds between May 22 and June 4, 2025. Paper filers in this same period might have seen their checks mailed between May 29 and June 11, 2025. Similarly, taxpayers who e-filed between May 16 and May 31, 2025, could anticipate refunds between June 6 and June 19, with paper filers possibly receiving theirs between June 13 and June 26, 2025, as reported by various financial news outlets.
Common Reasons for Tax Refund Delays
Despite a largely successful 2025 filing season, the National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins highlighted that over 13 million returns were “suspended” for additional review, leading to processing and refund delays for affected taxpayers.5 Several factors can contribute to a delayed tax refund:
- Errors or Incomplete Returns: Mistakes, missing information, or discrepancies on a tax return necessitate manual review, significantly slowing down the process. The IRS advises meticulous review before submission to minimize such issues.
- Identity Theft Concerns: The IRS flags approximately 2.1 million returns annually for potential identity theft. In such cases, taxpayers are notified to authenticate their identities, and resolving these cases can take an average of 20 months, a concern repeatedly raised by the National Taxpayer Advocate.
- Claims for Certain Credits: Returns claiming credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) often undergo additional scrutiny to prevent fraud, which can delay refunds.
- Paper Filing: As noted, paper returns inherently take longer to process due to the manual handling involved. As of late June 2025, the IRS was processing original paper Form 1040 series returns received in April 2025.
- IRS Processing Backlogs and Staffing: While the IRS has made strides in modernization, staffing shortages and budget constraints can still impact processing times, particularly for complex cases or during peak filing periods. The IRS workforce decreased by about 26% between the start of the 2025 filing season and June, potentially impacting processing speeds for the upcoming 2026 season if not addressed, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate’s report to Congress.
Factors Influencing 2025 Tax Refund Amounts
The amount of a 2025 IRS tax refund is determined by various individual financial circumstances and changes in tax law. The average tax refund for the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025) stood at approximately $2,945, according to an IRS update released on April 25, 2025. Factors that can influence refund amounts include:
- Income Level: Changes in earnings can impact overall tax liability.11 Inflationary adjustments to tax rates, brackets, and deductions can lead to a larger refund if income remains stable or decreases.
- Deductions and Credits: Maximizing eligible deductions and credits is key to a larger refund. This includes standard or itemized deductions, contributions to retirement accounts (like 401(k)s), self-employment deductions for business expenses, and various tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and credits for energy-efficient home improvements. The IRS expanded its Direct File program for 2025 to cover more tax situations, including some of these credits.
- Withholding Adjustments: Taxpayers who over-withheld federal income tax from their paychecks throughout the year will typically receive a larger refund. Conversely, under-withholding can lead to a smaller refund or even taxes owed.
- Tax Law Changes: While no major comprehensive tax reform was implemented for the 2025 filing season, annual inflation adjustments to tax provisions can subtly impact individual tax liabilities and, consequently, refund amounts.
Checking Your Refund Status and What to Do for Delays
The most efficient way to check the status of a federal tax refund is by using the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool, available on IRS.gov or via the IRS2Go mobile app. To use the tool, taxpayers need their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, their filing status, and the exact refund amount from their return. The tool provides three statuses: “Return Received,” “Refund Approved,” and “Refund Sent.” Information is updated once daily, typically overnight.
If a refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe (generally 21 days for e-filed returns or six weeks for paper returns), taxpayers should first check the “Where’s My Refund?” tool for updated information or notices. The tool will indicate if the IRS requires additional information. Calling the IRS will not expedite the refund process, as telephone assistors have access to the same information as the online tool. If the delay is significant and no information is provided by the tool, consulting a tax professional or the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be appropriate.
FAQs
Q1: When can I expect my 2025 IRS tax refund if I e-filed?
A1: The IRS aims to issue most refunds for electronically filed returns with direct deposit within 21 days of acceptance. If you filed early in the season and chose direct deposit, your refund would likely have been processed by late May or early June 2025.
Q2: How long does it take to get a refund if I filed a paper return?
A2: Paper-filed returns take significantly longer to process than e-filed returns. You should generally expect to wait four to eight weeks for a refund from a paper return, and potentially longer during peak filing periods or if errors are present.
Q3: What is the average 2025 IRS tax refund amount?
A3: As of April 25, 2025, the average federal tax refund for the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025) was approximately $2,945. However, individual refund amounts vary based on income, deductions, and credits claimed.
Q4: How can I check the status of my tax refund?
A4: The quickest and most reliable way to check your federal tax refund status is by using the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool, available on IRS.gov or through the IRS2Go mobile app. You will need your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. The tool updates once daily, usually overnight.
