For many people, the moment they file their taxes is followed by the long wait for that refund check or deposit to hit their account. But how long will you have to wait in 2025? Knowing when the IRS will deposit your refund can save you from avoidable stress, frustration, and wondering if something went wrong. Keep reading if you’re wondering when to expect your refund and what to do if things don’t go as planned!
Key Dates for IRS Tax Refunds in 2025
The IRS started processing tax returns for 2025 on January 27, 2025. But when can you realistically expect it?
Expected Refund Deposit Dates:
- If you file early and use e-file with direct deposit, your refund could hit your bank account within 21 days from the day the IRS accepts your return.
- In some cases, paper filings or paper checks take much longer—six to eight weeks, especially if there’s a backlog.
Important Tip: If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), your refund will be delayed. Due to additional identity verification, the IRS couldn’t issue refunds for taxpayers claiming these credits before mid-February.
Estimated Tax Refund Schedule for 2025:
| Accepted IRS eFiled Return Date | Estimated Direct Deposit Date | Estimated Paper Check Date |
| January 27, 2025 | February 17, 2025 | March 10, 2025 |
| February 3, 2025 | February 24, 2025 | March 17, 2025 |
| February 10, 2025 | March 3, 2025 | March 24, 2025 |
| February 17, 2025 | March 10, 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
| February 24, 2025 | March 17, 2025 | April 7, 2025 |
| March 3, 2025 | March 24, 2025 | April 14, 2025 |
| March 10, 2025 | March 31, 2025 | April 21, 2025 |
| March 17, 2025 | April 7, 2025 | April 28, 2025 |
| March 24, 2025 | April 14, 2025 | May 5, 2025 |
| March 31, 2025 | April 21, 2025 | May 12, 2025 |
| April 7, 2025 | April 28, 2025 | May 19, 2025 |
| April 14, 2025 | May 5, 2025 | May 26, 2025 |
| April 21, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | June 2, 2025 |
| April 28, 2025 | May 19, 2025 | June 9, 2025 |
| May 5, 2025 | May 26, 2025 | June 16, 2025 |
| May 12, 2025 | June 2, 2025 | June 23, 2025 |
How IRS Refund Deposits Work
Here’s the lowdown on the refund process:
E-filing vs. Paper Filing:
- If you e-file, the IRS typically processes returns faster, allowing refunds to be deposited within 21 days if there are no issues.
- Paper-filed returns can take several weeks, and sometimes even months, to process. Avoid paper filing if you can.
Direct Deposit vs. Paper Check:
- The fastest to get your refund is to choose direct deposit. It can show up in your bank account within 3 weeks if there are no issues with your return.
- If you’re expecting a paper check, the wait could be longer—sometimes up to 8 weeks from when the IRS processes your return. So, if you can, always opt for direct deposit.
What If There’s a Problem With Your Return?
- Sometimes, issues like missing information, incorrect tax forms, or discrepancies with your bank account details can delay your refund.
- If the IRS finds anything wrong with your return, they may contact you, or your refund could be delayed until they resolve the issue.
Factors Affecting Your Refund Deposit Date in 2025
The following factors can affect your refund date:
Taxpayer Identity Verification:
- The IRS may flag certain returns for identity verification, which can delay the refund process, especially if there are any concerns about fraud or if you’ve recently changed your personal information.
Errors and Missing Information:
- Simple mistakes, such as missing forms or incorrect bank account numbers, can slow down the process. Double-check your return to ensure accuracy before filing.
EITC and ACTC Delays:
- For those claiming the EITC or ACTC, the IRS will hold your refund until after mid-February due to extra fraud prevention measures. This is a common delay, so don’t be alarmed if your refund is slower than expected.
How to Track Your Refund
Wondering where your refund is? You can easily track it through the IRS’s official tools:
Where’s My Refund? Tool:
- The IRS provides a “Where’s My Refund?” tool that’s updated every 24 hours after the IRS receives your e-filed return. This tool can give you real-time updates on your refund status.
- You can find the tool on the IRS website.
IRS2Go Mobile App:
- Alternatively, you can download the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund status and receive notifications directly.
How Often Is the Status Updated?
- The IRS updates refund status information once every 24 hours, usually in the evening, so don’t keep checking it every few hours. Give it some time between checks.
Common Refund Issues and Delays
If your refund isn’t coming as quickly as you hoped, it could be because of several common issues:
What to Do If Your Refund Is Delayed?
- If your refund takes longer than expected, don’t panic. Use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check the status. If it’s been several weeks and you’re still not getting updates, it may be time to call the IRS to figure out what’s happening.
How to Avoid Common Refund Delays:
- File early: Filing sooner helps avoid delays and ensure that your refunds come in early. If you wait until the last minute, there’s a chance that the IRS could get backed up, causing delays.
- Choose direct deposit: Direct deposit is faster than receiving a paper check, which can take several weeks to arrive.
- Ensure your return is error-free: Double-check all forms, personal details, and bank information to avoid delays.
6. What to Expect If You Don’t Receive a Refund
Not everyone will receive a tax refund. If your refund is smaller than expected, or you don’t get one at all, here are some things to keep in mind:
What If Your Tax Refund Is Less Than Expected?
- You may owe taxes if you didn’t pay enough during the year, or if there were adjustments to your credits or deductions. In this case, you would not receive a refund—or you might owe money.
Refund Offset:
- If you owe debts like back child support or student loans, the IRS may offset your refund to cover these obligations. You’ll be notified if this happens.
Maximize Your Refund and Avoid Delays
Knowing the IRS tax refund deposit dates 2025 is crucial to managing your finances and reducing the stress of waiting. By filing early, choosing direct deposit, and avoiding common errors, you can speed up your refund process and avoid surprises.
If you face delays, use the IRS tools to track your refund and proactively resolve any issues. The sooner you understand the process and your filing situation, the better equipped you’ll be to go into tax season with confidence.
Join The Billion-dollar Savings Team
Tax Goddess has helped business owners save more than $1.88 BILLION on taxes. Yes, billions! This means that many business owners are not using tax strategies and are overpaying taxes. So, if you want to stop overpaying taxes, it is time to join the billion-dollar savings team.
Curious to know how much you can save with Tax Goddess?
