When Will I Get My Tax Refund? Timeline, Delays and How to Track It

Quick answer: according to the IRS, if you e-file, a refund typically arrives about 3 weeks after you file. If you mail a paper return, expect 6 weeks or more from the date the IRS receives it. If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the law doesn’t let the IRS send your refund before mid-February, so it usually arrives in early March.

Refund timeline at a glance

These are the IRS’s typical timeframes. They aren’t guarantees: your bank may need extra days, and returns with errors take longer.

An example

Why EITC and ACTC refunds wait until March

By law, the IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February for returns that claim the EITC or the ACTC. This applies to your whole refund, not just the part from those credits. The rule gives the IRS time to stop fraud.

In the most recent filing season, the IRS said most of these refunds would arrive by direct deposit around March 2 for people who filed online with no issues. The exact date changes each year, so check the IRS’s page in January.

How to track your refund

Use Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app. You’ll need:

• your Social Security number or ITIN;
• your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.);
• the exact refund amount from your return.

The tool updates once a day, usually overnight, so checking more often won’t show anything new. You’ll see three stages: Return Received, Refund Approved and Refund Sent.

How to get your refund faster

1. File electronically instead of by mail.
2. Choose direct deposit. The government has been phasing out paper refund checks, and direct deposit is faster and safer.
3. Double-check your numbers: names, SSN or ITIN, bank routing and account number. One typo can delay everything.
4. Wait for all your forms (W-2, 1099s) before you file, so you don’t have to amend.
5. File for free if you qualify, with IRS Free File or a VITA site. See how to file taxes for the first time.

Common reasons for delays

• Errors or missing information on the return.
• Identity checks: the IRS may send you a letter asking you to confirm your identity.
• Claiming the EITC or ACTC (the mid-February hold).
• A paper return, which has to be processed by hand.
• An amended return, which takes much longer than a regular one.

Why your refund may be smaller than expected

Your refund can be reduced to pay certain debts, such as past-due federal or state taxes, child support or some federal debts. If that happens, you should get a notice explaining it. It can also be smaller if the IRS corrected a mistake on your return.

Don’t count on a refund for urgent bills. Be careful with “refund advance” loans and tax preparers that charge high fees to get you your money faster. Compare the cost first.

FAQ

Can I call the IRS to speed up my refund? Usually it won’t help. The IRS says to call only if Where’s My Refund tells you to, or if it’s been longer than the normal time: 21 days for e-filed returns or 6 weeks for paper returns.

My refund was approved. When will the money arrive? Once it says “Refund Sent,” direct deposits usually show up within a few days, depending on your bank. Many banks don’t process payments on weekends or holidays.

I have an ITIN. Can I get a refund? Yes. You can file and get a refund with an ITIN. Some credits, like the EITC, require a valid SSN. See how to get an ITIN.

When does tax season start? The IRS usually starts accepting returns in late January and announces the exact date shortly before.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not tax advice. Timeframes come from the IRS and can change each year. Check IRS.gov for your situation. Read our Disclaimer.