While most IRS tax refunds are issued within 21 days for e-filed returns, delays due to errors, audits, or claiming credits like the EITC/ACTC can extend the wait to several months. Review processes can last 45 to 180 days, with amended returns potentially taking 120 days or more.
There's no strict maximum limit for how long the IRS can hold a refund, but they must pay interest after 45 days; while most e-filed returns take 21 days, returns needing extra review for errors, fraud, or certain credits (like EITC/ACTC) can take months (45-180+ days), and amended returns can take 8-16 weeks, with unfiled returns having an indefinite delay until filed.
Errors, missing documents, or incomplete information are common reasons tax returns get delayed. Double-check everything before you submit. The CRA may hold your refund if you have outstanding debts, if your return is selected for manual review, or if you're not up-to-date on previous tax filings.
While Tax Topic 152 can indicate possible delays, it does not mean there is a problem with your tax return. Several factors can influence the processing time, including the need for additional review, discrepancies in the information provided, or high volumes of returns being processed.
The CRA typically sends your tax refund within two weeks if you've filed online, or within eight weeks if you've filed a paper return. If you live outside of Canada returns may take up to sixteen weeks.
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.
The IRS has no maximum time limit when it comes to processing tax refunds, but after 45 days, it is required to pay interest on your refund. In most cases, you can expect the IRS to issue your tax refund within 21 days of filing your tax return.
If the IRS doesn't think you're eligible to claim the credits based on its return screening filters, it can delay your refund and ask for more information. For example, if the IRS challenges your EITC claim, you'll get Letter CP75, which will ask for proof that you qualify for the EITC.
You must offer a refund to customers if they've told you within 14 days of receiving their item that they want to cancel. They have another 14 days to return the item once they've told you. You must refund the customer within 14 days of receiving the item back.
If your refund details state that it's still processing, you can check your tax return to see if you catch any errors. If your refund status instructs you to contact the IRS, you can speak to an agent to get clarification by calling 1-800-829-1040.
Your refund is taking so long likely due to errors or incomplete info on your return, suspected identity theft/fraud, claiming certain tax credits (like EITC/ACTC), filing a paper return, or outstanding debts/audits, with electronic filing and direct deposit usually being the fastest, while mail or complex returns take longer for the IRS to process.
There are a variety of factors that may impact your refund processing time, including your fling method, your refund method, and the information included on your tax return. E-filing vs. paper filing: Your filing method is an important factor that can impact the amount of time it takes you to receive your refund.
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. The IRS mostly audits tax returns of those earning more than $200,000 and corporations with more than $10 million in assets.
There's no strict maximum limit for how long the IRS can hold a refund, but they must pay interest after 45 days; while most e-filed returns take 21 days, returns needing extra review for errors, fraud, or certain credits (like EITC/ACTC) can take months (45-180+ days), and amended returns can take 8-16 weeks, with unfiled returns having an indefinite delay until filed.
If your federal refund is late, follow these steps:
The information in this article is up to date for tax year 2025 (returns filed in 2026). Most refunds will be issued within 21 days after the return has been accepted, according to the IRS. The IRS typically sends out refunds on a schedule.
In Canada, a $2,000 tax credit often refers to the Pension Income Amount (Line 31400) for seniors receiving eligible pension/annuity income, creating a $300 federal credit (15% of $2,000), or a provincial Training Tax Credit for Apprentices, like British Columbia's $2,000 for completing specific training levels, while other benefits like the GST/HST Credit or Disability Benefit offer amounts varying based on income and family situation, not a fixed $2,000 for everyone.
Common Reasons for Tax Return Delays
Here are some of the usual suspects: Mistakes happen: Even a tiny error on your tax return (like a wrong Social Insurance Number) can cause a delay. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) needs to sort those out before they can process your return.