The timing to receive your tax refund in 2025 depends mainly on when and how you filed your return:
- If you e-filed your return with direct deposit, the IRS typically processes and issues refunds within about 21 days after accepting the return.
- If you mailed a paper return, the process can take 4 to 8 weeks.
- The IRS generally starts issuing refunds from mid-to-late January for electronically filed returns.
- For returns filed between May 1 and May 15, refunds for e-filers with direct deposit are expected between May 22 and June 4, 2025.
- For later May filers, refunds are expected in mid-to-late June.
- Paper filed returns take longer, with refunds expected about a month or more after e-filed returns.
You can check your refund status as early as 24 hours after IRS acceptance by using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool or the IRS2Go app. Processing delays can occur due to errors, review requirements, or banking processes. In summary, if you already filed, you should expect your refund within about 3 weeks if e-filed, or 4-8 weeks for paper filing; exact dates depend on your filing date. Keep monitoring your bank account and the IRS refund status tool for updates.
