How Long Does It Take to Get a Tax Refund?

It’s that time of year when you start to collect W-2 forms, gather relevant documents and prepare to file your federal income taxes.

Most people understand that the sooner you file, the sooner you can expect to get your refund — but other factors can affect your tax refund schedule. Keep reading to find out what to expect in 2025.

What is the 2025 tax schedule?

The tax schedule in 2025 will feature the traditional Tax Day of April 15, which falls on a Tuesday this year. Taxpayers can file their returns as early as Jan. 27.

If you can’t submit your tax forms by the April 15 deadline, you’ll need to request an extension by filing IRS Form 4868. Taxpayers with extensions can file their returns as late as Oct. 15, 2025. You may receive an automatic extension if you are in an area that has experienced a natural disaster; for example, Los Angeles residents have already received an extension because of the catastrophic wildfires that began in early January.

Remember that an extension to file does not mean an extension to pay, however. To avoid possible penalties, you should estimate and pay your federal taxes by the April deadline.

Self-employed individuals typically pay estimated taxes quarterly. For the upcoming tax year, those payments are due April 15, 2025; June 16, 2025; Sept. 15, 2025; and Jan. 15, 2026.

When to expect your tax refund

Multiple factors can affect the timing of your tax refund, including how you file, when you file and the choices you make while filing.

In general, here’s when you can expect to receive your tax refund based on how you file and request your funds:

Those who file electronically, called e-filers, usually get their refunds within 21 days. Paper filers often wait at least four weeks.

Whether you file your return online or by mail, you can get your refund deposited directly into your checking account. You’ll typically receive your refund quicker, within 30 days, when opting for direct deposit, while a paper check can take twice as long.

The exact timing of your tax refund will also depend on your tax credits and deductions. For instance, if you claim the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC), the IRS cannot issue any refund before mid-February. This is because many taxpayers who claim these credits don’t qualify for them, and the extended waiting period gives the IRS additional time to flag potentially fraudulent filers.

What to do if your tax refund is delayed

Tax refunds can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including:

• Errors on your tax return: Mistakes on your tax forms, such as incorrect Social Security numbers or missing details, can significantly slow down refund processing.
• Issues with your bank account: If you requested your refund as a direct deposit but failed to provide the proper bank account information, your refund may be returned to the IRS or sent as a paper check.
• Identity theft: If your identity has been stolen and used to file a fraudulent tax return, your refund might be held up while the IRS investigates.
• IRS processing delays: Your refund could be delayed because of IRS system updates, high work volumes or other unforeseen circumstances.

If your refund is taking longer than you expected, you can check the status with the IRS’ Where’s My Refund? tool. Once you enter your Social Security number, your most recent filing status and the exact amount of your refund, the tool will tell you if your return has been received, approved or sent. Note that if you filed a paper return, your refund status may not be available for up to four weeks.

If you can’t wait that long for an update, or you have reason to believe your identity has been stolen, you can also contact the IRS directly. You should contact the IRS only if it has been more than 21 days since you filed electronically, it’s been more than six weeks since you filed by mail or if the Where’s My Refund? tool gives instructions to do so. If you choose to contact the IRS, be prepared to provide your personal information and details about your tax return.

Important tax dates and deadlines

The IRS plans to begin accepting returns Jan. 27. Here are some other important tax dates to be aware of:

• January 31, 2025: deadline for employers to send W-2 forms for the 2024 tax year
• April 15, 2025: deadline to file 2024 taxes or file Form 4868 to request an extension
• April 15, 2025: deadline for self-employed workers to pay the first installment of quarterly taxes for the 2025 tax year
• June 16, 2025: deadline for self-employed workers to pay the second installment of quarterly taxes for the 2025 tax year
• September 15, 2025: deadline for self-employed workers to pay the third installment of quarterly taxes for the 2025 tax year
• October 15, 2025: deadline to file an extended return for the 2024 tax year
• January 15, 2026: deadline for self-employed workers to pay the final installment of quarterly taxes for the 2025 tax year

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a state tax refund?

Each state has its own process for handling state income taxes. Much like federal refunds, filing electronically and opting for direct deposit can help you receive your state refund faster.

How do I check the status of my tax refund?

The IRS offers a convenient online tool that allows you to check your refund status. You’ll need to provide your Social Security number, your filing status and your refund amount. If you filed electronically, your refund status should be available within 24 hours after filing for the current year. If you filed a paper return, your status may not be available for up to four weeks.

What should I do with my tax refund?

You might use your tax refund in many different ways, whether you’re a saver, a spender or anywhere in between. To make the most of your refund, experts recommend paying off debt, starting an emergency fund or investing in home improvements.