Business
IRS Issues Tax Refund Schedule for 2025: Expect Delays
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it will begin issuing federal tax refunds as early as February 18, 2025, with expectations that over 140 million individuals will file their returns this season. The average federal tax refund from last filing season was approximately $2,825.
The IRS started accepting tax returns on January 27. Taxpayers should be aware that while many refunds can be delivered quickly, several factors can influence the timing. E-filing along with selecting direct deposit is recommended to expedite the refund process.
“We encourage taxpayers to file electronically and choose direct deposit to ensure the fastest and most secure refund possible,” said IRS spokesperson Alex Hager. “Most e-filed returns will see refunds within 10 to 21 days after acceptance.”
According to the IRS, the following estimated timeframes indicate when refunds may be expected, after acceptance of the return:
- 3 weeks for e-filed returns using direct deposit
- 4 weeks for e-filed returns with a mailed check
- 4 to 8 weeks for mailed returns with direct deposit
- 4 to 9 weeks for mailed returns with a check
Key dates for the 2025 tax refund schedule have been outlined as follows:
| Date Return Filed | Direct Deposit Arrival | Mailed Check Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| January 27 | February 17* | March 28 |
| February 3 | February 24 | April 4 |
| February 10 | March 3 | April 11 |
| February 17* | March 10 | April 18 |
| February 24 | March 17 | April 25 |
| March 3 | March 24 | May 2 |
| March 10 | March 31 | May 9 |
| March 17 | April 7 | May 16 |
| March 24 | April 14 | May 23 |
| March 31 | April 21 | May 30 |
| April 7 | April 28 | June 6 |
| April 15 | May 6 | June 16 |
Note that February 17 is a federal holiday, which may impact processing times. The above timelines can be affected by filing errors, IRS processing delays, and other factors such as claiming certain tax credits. Taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) might see further delays, with refunds for these credits generally available by the beginning of March.
To monitor the status of their tax refund, taxpayers can access the IRS tool “Where’s My Refund?” online or via the IRS2Go mobile app. Data is updated daily, allowing individuals to track the progress of their refunds once they have been accepted by the IRS.
For those who have filed state taxes, it is important to note that each state has its own refund schedule, with variations in processing times. Taxpayers are encouraged to check their state’s Department of Revenue website for specific details.
