Your 2025 federal tax return for the tax year 2024 started being accepted by the IRS on January 27, 2025. If you e-file your tax return, you can generally expect the IRS to acknowledge your return within 24 to 48 hours. Most refunds for e-filed returns are processed within about 21 days after acceptance. For refunds issued via direct deposit, you may see the refund as early as 10 days after the IRS accepts your e-filed return. Paper returns take longer, typically 4 to 8 weeks to process refunds. If you filed early in the season (e.g., late January or February), refunds are often received by early to mid- February or March. Filings during the peak season towards the April 15 deadline may experience slightly longer wait times. Additionally, claiming certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC) can delay refunds until around March due to additional verification. You can check the status of your refund starting 24 hours after filing electronically by using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on their website or the IRS2Go app. In summary:
- IRS started accepting returns Jan 27, 2025
- E-filed refund processing time: Up to 21 days
- Paper return refund processing time: 4–8 weeks
- Direct deposit refund may arrive ~10 days after acceptance
- Refund delays possible if credits claimed or during peak filing season
You can check your specific refund status online for the most accurate timing.
