The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that the 2025 tax season for individual filers began on Monday, January 27, 2025. On this date, the agency started accepting and processing tax returns for the 2024 tax year.
IRS Refund Processing Timeline
The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds within 21 days. However, some returns may require additional review, which could extend the processing time.
Where to Check Your Refund Status
Taxpayers can track their refunds using the IRS’s Where’s My Refund? tool. The tool updates once daily, typically overnight, so there is no need to check multiple times a day.
You can check your refund status:
– 24 hours after e-filing a 2024 tax return.
– 3 to 4 days after e-filing a 2023 or 2022 tax return.
– 4 weeks or more after mailing a return.
Where’s My Refund? has a tracker that displays progress through 3 stages: :
1. Return Received
2. Refund Approved
3. Refund Sent
Important IRS Refund Dates
The first batch of direct deposit refunds for the 2025 tax season is expected to be issued by February 7, 2025.
IRS Refund Delays for Certain Credits
Taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) may experience a refund delay. The **Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act** requires the IRS to hold these refunds until mid-February.
The IRS expects the earliest refunds for EITC or ACTC claimants to be available by March 3, 2025, if direct deposit is selected and there are no issues with the return.
IRS Direct Deposit Guidelines
Refunds should only be deposited into accounts in the taxpayer’s name, their spouse’s name, or a jointly held account.
IRS Refund Schedule for 2025
| Tax Return Accepted | Direct Deposit Sent | Paper Check Mailed |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 27 – Jan 31, 2025 | Feb 7, 2025 | Feb 14, 2025 |
| Feb 3 – Feb 7, 2025 | Feb 14, 2025 | Feb 21, 2025 |
| Feb 10 – Feb 14, 2025 | Feb 21, 2025 | Feb 28, 2025 |
| Feb 17 – Feb 21, 2025 | Feb 28, 2025 | Mar 7, 2025 |
| Feb 24 – Feb 28, 2025 | Mar 7, 2025 | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Mar 3 – Mar 7, 2025 | Mar 14, 2025 | Mar 21, 2025 |
| Mar 10 – Mar 14, 2025 | Mar 21, 2025 | Mar 28, 2025 |
| Mar 17 – Mar 21, 2025 | Mar 28, 2025 | Apr 4, 2025 |
| Mar 24 – Mar 28, 2025 | Apr 4, 2025 | Apr 11, 2025 |
| Mar 31 – Apr 4, 2025 | Apr 11, 2025 | Apr 18, 2025 |
| Apr 7 – Apr 11, 2025 | Apr 18, 2025 | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Apr 14 – Apr 18, 2025 | Apr 25, 2025 | May 2, 2025 |
| Apr 21 – Apr 25, 2025 | May 2, 2025 | May 9, 2025 |
| Apr 28 – May 2, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
| May 5 – May 9, 2025 | May 16, 2025 | May 23, 2025 |
| May 12 – May 16, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | May 30, 2025 |
| May 19 – May 23, 2025 | May 30, 2025 | Jun 6, 2025 |
| May 26 – May 30, 2025 | Jun 6, 2025 | Jun 13, 2025 |
| Jun 2 – Jun 6, 2025 | Jun 13, 2025 | Jun 20, 2025 |
For the most accurate and updated refund status, visit the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool or check the IRS2Go mobile app.