The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to disburse tax refunds for the 2024 tax filing season, with millions of Americans expecting payments averaging $3,186. For those who submitted their returns in April 2025, the IRS projects refunds to be issued between May 5 and May 11, as long as they opted for direct deposit and did not face typical delays in processing. This article covers key dates, timeline factors, and tips to receive refunds on time.
Important May 2025 refund deposit dates
People who submitted electronically April 14–20, 2025, and requested direct deposit will probably receive refunds into bank accounts May 5–11. This is consistent with the IRS accelerated processing timeline for electronic returns that usually take 1–3 weeks to process. By contrast, paper recipients or paper filers have delays of two months. For instance, paper returns sent in the last week of March will arrive on May 23.
Electronically filed returns are given a higher priority by the IRS since they are processed faster and fewer errors are incurred. Direct deposit also speeds refund receipt by precluding the waiting times of mail, hence its use by 92% of taxpayers in 2025.
Factors that influence refund dates
All refunds are made in 21 days, but various factors can extend wait times. Refund requests for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) take longer to verify, usually holding refunds up by 4–6 weeks. Complicated returns with multiple sources of income, self-employment income, or foreign accounts have to be processed manually, taking weeks.
Math errors-incomplete or faulty Social Security numbers or forms-are yet another frequent offender. The IRS pings these returns for adjustment, resetting the 21-day timer when they’re resubmitted. Taxpayers with federal debt owed to the government (e.g., student loans or back taxes) can also see their refunds offset to pay those balances.
How to track your refund status
Taxpayers expecting a refund can also use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” web program or the IRS2Go mobile program on their cell phones for the most current status. The programs offer three status messages: “Return Received,” “Refund Approved,” and “Refund Sent.” Refunds by direct deposit post 1–2 days after approval, and mailed checks arrive in 7–10 business days.
If a refund is delayed more than the estimated time, the IRS suggests waiting 21 days if one is an electronic filer or six weeks if one is filing on paper before contacting support. Lost and stolen checks necessitate a refund trace ordered by calling 1-800-829-1954 or IRS Form 3911.
