As the 2024/2025 tax season closed at the end of April, taxpayers across the U.S. are eagerly awaiting their refunds. Whether you filed electronically or mailed your return, refunds could start arriving in the coming days, offering much-needed financial relief amid rising living costs.
Fastest Ways to Get Your Refund
The IRS confirms the quickest refund comes from filing electronically combined with choosing direct deposit. Typically, these refunds arrive within 10 to 21 days after filing. Opting for mailed paper checks or mailing your return can add weeks or even months to the wait.
Not everyone receives a refund, though. If you owe back taxes or other debts, your refund may be reduced or withheld. Additionally, the IRS workforce reduction last year—cut by 31%—has affected processing speed.
What to Expect for Average Refunds
This tax year, the average refund was about $2,939. According to rough timelines:
- E-file with direct deposit: 1 to 3 weeks
- E-file with mailed check: About 1 month
- Mail return with direct deposit: Around 3 weeks
- Mail return with mailed check: Up to 2 months
If you filed close to the deadline using e-file and direct deposit, your refund is likely to arrive next week. Even some mailed returns with direct deposit are expected soon.
How to Track Your Refund Status
The IRS processed over 143 million refunds this year, totaling nearly $275 billion—both up from last year. You can track your refund anytime using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool online. E-filers can check status 24 hours after submission, while paper filers must wait about four weeks before tracking is available.
To use the tool, have your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount handy.
Information sourced from:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU)
- NBC News