If your tax refund is taking longer than 21 days, use the IRS Where's My Refund tool or IRS2Go app to check for errors or notifications. Delays are often due to incomplete returns, tax credits (EITC/ACTC), or identity verification. If it has been over 21 days (or 6 weeks for paper), check with your bank, then contact the IRS.
If your return was submitted more than 21 days ago, you may wish to contact the IRS to see if more information is required. You may be asked to verify information contained on your return, your identity or your banking information. Please have your return available when you call.
If you e-filed your Kansas return, you can generally expect to have your state refund deposited within 10 to 14 business days (16 to 20 weeks if you filed on paper and elected to receive your refund by mail).
If the IRS is reviewing your return, the review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.
No need to worry just yet. While many refunds are processed within 10-21 days, some take longer due to additional verification, errors, or IRS backlog. Since the IRS website confirms they have your return and it's being processed, it means they haven't flagged it for major issues.
Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer. However, if refund is not received during this duration, the taxpayer must check for intimation regarding discrepancies in ITR; check email for any notification from the IT department regarding the refund.
If the IRS decides that your return merits a second glance, you'll be issued a CP05 Notice 1 . This notice lets you know that your return is being reviewed to verify any or all of the following: Your income. Your tax withholding.
What are the top reasons for refund delays this year? The main 2025 tax refund delay reasons include errors or incomplete information on returns, claims for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, identity verification processes, amended returns, and offsets for outstanding debts.
What should I do? Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.
Initially included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the lower 1099-K threshold was meant to close tax gaps by flagging more digital income. It required platforms to report any user earning $600 or more, regardless of how many transactions they had.
If your state refund is taking longer to arrive than your federal refund, remember that each state has its own processing protocols and security measures, some of which may require more time than the federal process.
While a $10,000 tax refund might sound like a dream, it's achievable in certain situations. This typically happens when you've significantly overpaid taxes throughout the year or qualify for substantial tax credits. The key is understanding which credits and deductions you're eligible for.
Refunds are commonly delayed by unresolved notices, incorrect or unvalidated bank details, or discrepancies between ITR data and AIS/26AS. Tracking status on the e-filing portal and NSDL pages helps identify issues such as refund failure, adjustment, or pending processing.
The IRS uses a combination of automated and human processes to select which tax returns to audit. Not reporting all of your income is an easy-to-avoid red flag that can lead to an audit. Taking excessive business tax deductions and mixing business and personal expenses can lead to an audit.
Government agencies such as the IRS, state revenue departments, and child support enforcement can garnish your refund to cover unpaid debts. This process, known as a tax refund offset, is used to collect overdue taxes, student loans, child support, and other obligations.
Generally, if you fully paid the tax and the IRS denies your tax refund claim, or if the IRS takes no action on the claim within six months, then you may file a refund suit. You can file a suit in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims.
If your federal refund is late, follow these steps:
Generally, the amount of time is based on your filing date and you'll get your refund within 21 days after you e-file. (Paper filed returns can take much longer.) If you file before the IRS opens, you need to wait for the IRS open date (usually in late-January) before starting the 21-day clock.
A tax refund could be delayed weeks or even months in some cases. The length of the delay may depend on how backed up the IRS is on processing tax returns, whether you turn around requested documentation quickly, and whether you need to file an amended return.
The IRS can hold your refund and request more information from you in several situations, causing IRS refund delays. This doesn't mean you're being audited—but it can lead to further delays if you don't respond with all the information by the deadline. Be patient, and don't worry.
Combining direct deposit with electronic filing is the fastest way to receive your refund. There's no chance of it going uncashed, getting lost, stolen, or destroyed. The IRS issues more than nine out of ten refunds in less than 21 days.
Refund delays in AY 2025–26 are largely due to enhanced compliance checks and data matching, not system failure. Taxpayers should regularly review their AIS and Form 26AS, respond to department alerts and correct discrepancies promptly. In most cases, refunds will be issued once checks are complete.
Your bank records have been served with an IRS summons even though you volunteered to provide those records to the IRS yourself. You have been audited and are in regular contact with an IRS agent. The agent then disappears for weeks at a time and will not return your calls.
The IRS is considering changing an amount on your tax return, due to an examination after it processed your tax return. This is called an audit. If it audits your return, the IRS will notify you by mail, and the notice will tell you if the audit will be handled by mail or in person.
If the deductions, losses, or credits on your return are disproportionately large compared with your income, the IRS may want to take a second look at your return. Taking a big loss from the sale of rental property or other investments can also spike the IRS's curiosity.