The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is still in the process of issuing tax refunds to millions of Americans. This process is ongoing, and refunds are being distributed based on how and when tax returns were filed. While electronic filings are being processed faster, paper returns will take longer.
Tax Refund Distribution for 2025
As of now, the IRS is working on processing tax returns filed electronically during May. Those who filed between May 16 and May 31 and selected direct deposit will start seeing their refunds between June 6 and June 19.
Paper checks for this group will begin to be sent out between June 13 and June 26. If you mailed your return, the processing will be done later, typically around July, depending on how many returns the IRS is handling at the time.
How to Speed Up Your Tax Refund
The IRS has provided advice for taxpayers hoping to get their refunds quickly. Electronic filing with direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your refund. Once the IRS accepts an electronically filed return, it typically takes 10 to 21 business days for the refund to be processed and sent.
If you opted to receive a paper check, expect a much longer wait. Paper checks can take six to eight weeks for processing. The slower pace is due to the time required to physically handle and mail these checks. Therefore, e-filing with direct deposit is highly recommended for faster processing.
Common Delays in Tax Refunds
While electronic filing is faster, certain factors can still cause delays in receiving your refund. Here are some common reasons why your refund might be delayed:
- Tax Credits and Anti-Fraud Reviews: If your return includes claims for tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC), it will undergo additional anti-fraud checks. These checks can delay your refund by several days or even weeks.
- Errors in Your Tax Return: Mistakes like incorrect Social Security numbers (SSN), wrong banking information for direct deposit, or discrepancies in reported income can cause the IRS to delay your refund until they are corrected.
- Identity Verification: If the IRS requests identity verification or there is unresolved correspondence, your tax refund will be paused until the issue is resolved.
- Budget Cuts and Staff Shortages: Delays in processing are also influenced by external factors. Budget cuts implemented by the Trump administration led to the elimination of more than 6,700 IRS jobs. These staff shortages have contributed to slower processing times.
Average Tax Refunds in 2025
For 2025, the average tax refund amount is estimated to be between $2,945 and $3,221, based on returns processed so far this year.
These amounts reflect an increase from earlier in the year, when reports estimated the average refund at around $1,928, or $2,069 for those who filed electronically. The figures may change as more returns are processed throughout the year.