The IRS begins accepting 2025 tax returns (for the 2024 tax year) on January 27, 2025, with the earliest direct deposit refunds expected to arrive around February 7–10, 2025, for early filers with no issues. For those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), funds are generally held until mid-February, with most expected by March 3, 2025.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Jan. 27. There are some things that you can do to make that process smoother. First, get organized. Compile all your receipts and financial statements in one place.
Yes, the IRS has been paying refunds for the 2025 tax season (filed in 2026) since the filing season began, with most direct deposits going out within 21 days for error-free, e-filed returns, though processing times vary, especially with the new push to phase out paper checks in favor of direct deposit for tax year 2025 returns. You can check your specific status using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool.
For 2025 tax refunds (filed in 2026), expect e-filed returns with direct deposit in about 21 days, while paper returns take 4-8 weeks, though EITC/ACTC refunds are delayed until mid-February by law. Use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool for the most accurate status, needing your SSN, filing status, and refund amount.
Updates to refund status are made once a day — usually at night. Even with the January 30 opening of the tax season, we expect refunds to be issued within normal timeframes. The IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days last year.
The IRS issues refunds only on business days. However, some banks may post deposits on Saturdays if funds are received late on a Friday.
Processing your refund usually takes: Up to 21 days for an e-filed return. 6 weeks or more for returns sent by mail. Longer if your return needs corrections or extra review.
Key Takeaways. If your tax return is missing required forms or is otherwise incomplete, it can delay your refund. Errors in your tax return calculations can cause delays as the IRS may need to correct them. A mismatch between your Social Security Number and the records can significantly delay your refund.
Availability: An early tax refund advance is available from Dec. 11, 2025, to Jan. 11, 2026. Since this is before most people get their W-2s, you can submit a pay stub.
Effective 2025 through 2028, individuals age 65 and older may claim an additional $6,000 deduction. This is in addition to the standard deduction for seniors available under existing law. Applies per eligible individual (or $12,000 for a married couple if both spouses qualify).
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.
You can get your tax refund as soon as the IRS starts processing returns (usually late January) if you file early, e-file, use direct deposit, and have no errors; expect it within 21 days of filing, though those claiming credits like EITC might wait until mid-February or early March for processing to begin. Filing a paper return slows things down significantly (6-8 weeks or more).
Tracking the status of a tax refund is easy with the Where's My Refund? tool. It's available anytime on IRS.gov or through the IRS2Go App. Taxpayers can start checking their refund status within 24 hours after an e-filed return is received.
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 "20k rule" refers to the traditional IRS threshold for reporting income from payment apps and online marketplaces on Form 1099-K: over $20,000 in gross payments AND more than 200 transactions in a calendar year. While a law (the American Rescue Plan) temporarily lowered the threshold to $600, recent legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (OBBBA), has reinstated the $20,000/200-transaction rule for tax years starting in 2025, providing relief for casual sellers and gig workers.
To avoid the 22% tax bracket (or any higher bracket), focus on reducing your taxable income through strategies like maxing out 401(k)s and HSAs, deferring bonuses, tax-loss harvesting, smart charitable giving, and strategic asset location, understanding that higher rates only apply to income within that bracket, not your entire income.
During the 2025 filing season, the IRS issued more than 93.5 million individual tax refunds—and 93% of those (almost 87 million) were already delivered via direct deposit.
Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.
You may call us toll-free at 800-829-1040, M - F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
The IRS only updates your refund status information once per week on Wednesdays. If you e-file your tax return, wait at least 72 hours from the date the IRS confirms receipt of your return before checking your refund status, and at least three weeks if you mail the return instead.
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.