In 2025, tax returns are likely taking longer due to increased IRS scrutiny of claims, common errors (like incorrect direct deposit info), filing on paper, or claiming credits like EITC/ACTC, which the IRS cannot release before mid-February. Most refunds are issued in under 21 days, but reviews, fraud checks, or debt offsets can extend this to weeks or months.
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. Paper returns and bank processing times can also contribute to delays.
Although the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, the IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills. Some returns may require additional review and may take longer.
April 15, 2026, is the deadline for 2025 tax returns for individuals. The due date for filing your federal income tax return is typically April 15 if you're a calendar year filer, unless this day falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case the deadline is moved to the next business day.
When taxpayers file their 2025 tax. returns in 2026, many will see larger refunds than in recent years. That's due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which reduced individual income taxes for 2025 by an estimated $129 billion. But because the IRS did not adjust withholding.
The IRS doesn't have a strict maximum time limit for issuing refunds, but generally processes e-filed returns with direct deposit within 21 days, while paper returns take 6 weeks or more, with longer waits for those claiming certain credits (EITC/ACTC) or if errors occur. If the IRS holds your refund for more than 45 days past the tax deadline (or filing date if late), they owe you interest, but significant delays (months) can happen for complex issues or extra reviews, sometimes requiring a mailed notice.
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. Filing your tax return too early or too late can lead to delays due to IRS system updates or high processing volumes.
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.
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.
Only income tax filings and payments due between January 7, 2025, and October 15, 2025, qualified for a postponement to October 15, 2025. Refer to Los Angeles County fires and disaster declaration tax payments for examples of tax returns and payments eligible for postponement.
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.
How can you avoid an IRS tax refund delay?
Individual returns
Electronically filed Form 1040 returns are generally processed within 21 days.
Your refund is still being processed because of errors, incomplete information, suspected identity theft, complex credits (like EITC/ACTC), or a backlog, requiring extra review beyond the typical 21 days, with status updates available on the IRS Where's My Refund tool. Common causes include math errors, missing signatures, mismatched info, or claiming certain credits that trigger extra scrutiny.
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.
There is no timeframe for how long the IRS can take to process a tax return before issuing a tax refund.
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.
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.
You may call us toll-free at 800-829-1040, M - F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
One of the most common reasons why your ITR refund may be delayed is because taxpayers often forget to verify their ITRs after filing it. Filing the ITR is only the first step, taxpayers need to verify their ITR through Aadhaar OTP, net banking, EVC, or by sending a signed ITR-V to CPC Bengaluru.