Every year, millions of American taxpayers submit their tax forms and make timely payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The federal tax agency has set a tentative timeline for distributing refunds for computerized returns filed in May and June 2025.
Taxpayers who filed their forms around May 4 and opted direct deposit may receive payments between May 25 and May 31. This 21-day limit applies to electronic returns that contain no errors or outstanding changes. According to the IRS, delays may occur if there are anomalies in the information or if tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), are being confirmed.
However, it is important to note that the actual date varies by bank, as each bank processes and delivers these payments at its own pace.
Who will get their tax refunds before the end of May 2025?
Returns processed between May 2 and 8 resulted in projected direct deposits due on May 23, with actual checks expected a week later. Those who submitted between May 9 and 15 were scheduled to get funds beginning May 30, according to the published table.
Returns submitted in late May or early June had their deadlines extended till the end of June. For example, returns submitted between June 6 and 12 would get refunds via direct deposit on June 27 and check on July 4.
The IRS noted that these deadlines are predictions based on previous years, which means they are just for informational reasons (just like this article). Individual deadlines may be altered due to Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) claims or random audits.
How to find where your tax refund is with a free tool
The IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool lets you see three statuses: “Return Received,” “Refund Approved,” and “Refund Sent.” To utilize it, you will need your Social Security number, marital status, and the precise amount of your return.
The platform is updated on a daily basis, so if you don’t see your tax refund in the “Where’s My Refund?” function, wait until the next day to check again. If the wait exceeds 21 days, the IRS will contact you via letter to request any additional paperwork.
Common errors, such as misreported income or disparities in declared dependents, frequently result in reviews.
How to make your tax return payment arrive sooner
Direct deposit and electronic filing help to shorten turnaround times. Currently, the IRS processes 90% of these requests in less than three weeks, against six weeks for paper returns.
Paper check payments are typically significantly slower and easier to steal. Investigations have indicated that 4,000 to 5,000 cheques, including IRS refund checks, are stolen each year. They are often sold on the dark web for tens of millions of dollars.
According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), more than 680,000 suspicious activity reports connected to check fraud were filed in 2022, nearly double the figure from 2021.