What is the earliest the IRS issues refunds?

Asked by: Tiana Connelly  |  Last update: August 23, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (67 votes)

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

How early will the IRS release refunds?

The IRS expects more than 140 million individual tax returns for tax year 2024 to be filed ahead of the April 15 deadline, the agency said. The IRS expects to issue most refunds via direct deposit in less than 21 days, according to the agency, but some returns may require additional review that takes longer to process.

What is the earliest tax refunds will be deposited?

If the IRS accepts your return that day (usually late January), you can receive your refund as early as mid-February.

When can I expect my tax refund 2024 with child tax credit?

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), you can expect to get your refund by February 27 if: You file your return online. You choose to get your refund by direct deposit. We found no issues with your return.

What days of the week does the IRS issue refunds?

The IRS typically processes tax refunds and executes direct deposit transactions within 21 days after accepting your tax return. It's common for the IRS to issue them on business days, from Monday through Friday.

Has IRS started issuing refunds 2021?

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What time does the IRS send direct deposits?

Short answer: IRS sends electronic transfers to all financial institutions on Friday evenings to be posted the following Tuesday (Monday @ midnight) You can always check your pending transactions via online or mobile banking. It's been this way since 1987…

How long after a refund is approved is it sent?

If you e-filed your return and chose direct deposit to receive your refund, you'll usually receive your refund in 8-15 days. However, you should allow an extra 1-5 business days for your bank to process the funds. If you chose the Refund Transfer option, the refund will come from the Axos Bank®, not the IRS.

Is the IRS holding refunds with child tax credits?

We may be holding your refund for the following credits: Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC)/Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), Premium Tax Credit(PTC) and the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC).

Where's my refund 2024 schedule?

To check your refund's status you'll need your Social Security number, filing status and the amount of money you're owed as a refund. If you filed your taxes online and your return is error-free, you can expect your refund within 21 days.

What day do refunds get deposited?

Most taxpayers receive their refunds within 21 days of filing. The IRS says it issues 90% of refunds in that timeframe. If you choose to have your refund deposited directly into your account (eight out of 10 tax filers opt for direct deposit), you may have to wait five days before you can gain access to it.

What's the soonest I can get my tax refund?

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. Taxpayers can track their refund using "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov or by downloading the IRS2Go mobile app.

What disqualifies you from earned income credit?

You can't claim the EIC unless your investment income is $11,600 or less. If your investment income is more than $11,600, you can't claim the credit. Use Worksheet 1 in this chapter to figure your investment income.

What is the current wait time for IRS refunds?

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24 hours after you e-file a current-year return. 3 or 4 days after you e-file a prior-year return. 4 weeks after you file a paper return.

Do tax refunds ever come early?

Does a refund ever get deposited before the date on 'Where's My Refund'? Your refund should come on the date specified by the IRS but it can bee sooner or a little later due to your financial institution.

What time to expect tax refund?

The IRS generally issues refunds within 21 days of when you electronically filed your tax return, and longer for paper returns.

What day is the IRS releasing EITC refunds in 2024?

The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by February 27 if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.

Who gets audited by the IRS the most?

Businesses that show losses are more likely to be audited, especially if the losses are recurring. The IRS might suspect that you must be making more money than you're reporting—otherwise, why would you stay in business? Most likely to be audited are taxpayers reporting small business losses.

How to get a $10,000 tax refund?

CAEITC
  1. Be 18 or older or have a qualifying child.
  2. Have earned income of at least $1.00 and not more than $30,000.
  3. Have a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for yourself, your spouse, and any qualifying children.
  4. Living in California for more than half of the tax year.

What day of the week are tax returns deposited?

In most cases IRS will electronically send refund to your bank/financial institution on Friday and in most cases, you will see it in your account on the following Tuesday. Electronically filed returns generally get refunds more quickly than mailed returns.

When to expect a refund in 2024?

Taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit typically get their refund in less than 21 days. Taxpayers who don't have a bank account can find out how to open a bank account at a FDIC-insured bank or the National Credit Union Locator Tool.

What is the earliest I can file taxes?

The IRS begins accepting and processing tax returns in late January of the year following the tax year. So if you are filing your 2024 tax return, IRS will start accepting and processing your tax returns in late January 2025.

How will I know if my refund is approved?

The most convenient way to check on a tax refund is by using the Where's My Refund? 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.

How to expedite a tax refund?

If you're facing serious financial difficulties and need your refund immediately contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778. We may be able to expedite your refund.

How long after my refund is approved will I get my direct deposit?

If you chose to direct deposit your refund and you e-filed your return, the official IRS statement is, "Nine out of ten taxpayers typically receive refunds in less than 21 days when they use e-file with direct deposit."