Federal and state tax refunds are processed by separate agencies, so there is no guaranteed order for which direct deposit arrives first. Generally, 90% of e-filed returns with direct deposit are processed by the IRS within 21 days. If tax software fees are deducted from the refund, an intermediary bank will receive the funds first, likely causing a slight delay compared to a direct deposit.
Because the IRS is separate from your state's Department of Revenue, you occasionally receive your federal refund before your state refund, or vice versa.
To get your refund deposited directly into your bank account, select the direct deposit option when prompted by the tax software you are using. Then, enter your account and routing numbers of the bank account you want your refund deposited into.
Generally, the process is automated, and banks receive refund deposits in batches overnight. Most refunds are posted between 12 AM and 6 AM local time, which can vary based on the banking institution and its policies. The fastest way to get your tax refund payment is to e-file your return and choose direct deposit.
No more than three electronic refunds can be deposited into a single financial account or pre-paid debit card. Taxpayers who exceed the limit will receive an IRS notice and a paper refund. Whether you file electronically or on paper, direct deposit gives you access to your refund faster than a paper check.
24 hours after you e-file a current-year return.
By choosing the 5 days early refund delivery offered by TurboTax, you can receive your federal refund 5 days before the IRS would have delivered it. The IRS usually sends federal refunds within 21 days for most customers. This can be especially beneficial for those who need funds quickly.
You likely received $1400 from the IRS today as a supplemental payment for the 2021 Economic Impact Payment (EIP3), specifically the Recovery Rebate Credit, for people who missed it by not claiming it or leaving it blank on their 2021 tax return. These are "plus-up" payments for those eligible for the third stimulus but didn't get the full amount, often for dependents or due to income changes, with a deadline to claim it by April 2025 by filing a 2021 return if you hadn't already.
The IRS $600 rule refers to a change in reporting requirements for third-party payment apps (like Venmo, PayPal) for taxable income from goods and services, where platforms must send a Form 1099-K if you receive over $600 in a year, intended to capture gig economy/side hustle income, though delays and phased implementation have adjusted the timeline, with current rules for 2024 using a higher threshold ($5,000) before fully phasing to $600 for future years, but remember all taxable income, regardless of form, must always be reported.
The short answer is that most people get their direct deposits by around 9 a.m. local time on payday, though some banks may release the money even earlier (sometimes right after midnight if they receive your employer's payroll file ahead of schedule). ¹ That said, the exact timing of when direct deposit hits can vary.
tool on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of the taxpayer's e-filed return. The tool also provides a personalized refund date after the return is processed and a refund is approved.
For e-filed returns with direct deposit, the IRS usually issues refunds within 21 days, but it can be faster (a few days after approval) or slower if there are errors, fraud, or missing info, with paper returns taking 6+ weeks; use the IRS's "Where's My Refund?" tool for status updates.
The State return is not submitted until after the Federal return is accepted. If your Federal return is rejected the State return is not sent.
The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 calendar days. You can check the status of your refund with “Where's my refund?” on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app.
To use Where's My Refund?, taxpayers must enter their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, their filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of their refund. The IRS updates the tool once a day, usually overnight, so there's no need to check more often.
Stimulus payments
Single taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or below. Taxpayers filing as heads of household with AGIs of $112,500 or below. Married couples filing jointly with AGIs of $150,000 or below.
Yes, you can get your tax refund before the official due date, often by filing early and using direct deposit, with some tax software even offering to deliver it up to 5 days sooner than the IRS's processing date, though the IRS legally holds Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) refunds until mid-February. Your bank or financial institution also plays a role, as some release funds upon receipt of the electronic transfer, while others wait for the official post date, but filing early speeds up the overall IRS process, typically within 21 days for most non-EITC/ACTC refunds.
Direct deposit typically goes through before 9 a.m. on the day you're scheduled to be paid, unless the payday happens to fall on the weekend or on one of the 11 federal holidays recognized by the United States Government.
Acceptance simply confirms that the return passed the IRS's initial checks, but it does not mean the return has been fully reviewed or that a refund has been approved. Understanding how the IRS moves from acceptance to approval can make the waiting period feel a bit clearer and more predictable.
Get your refund faster
E-file plus direct deposit yields fastest refunds
The IRS also encourages taxpayers to file electronically. While a person can choose direct deposit whether they file their taxes on paper or electronically, a taxpayer who e-files will typically see their refund in less than 21 days.