When To Expect Your Tax Refund
Want to know when you can expect your tax refund in 2025? We have our estimated IRS tax refund schedule right here.
It’s one of the most common questions we see every year during tax season – when can I expect my tax refund to come? This is followed by – Where is the IRS tax refund calendar we’ve seen in past years?
Before e-filing, this was always difficult to predict. First, you mail in your return. Then someone inputs all your information (and later, computers scanned in your information), then the Treasury had to issue a check, which was then mailed to you. Now, with a free IRS e-file, you can get your refund in as little as 8 days from when you file, if you elect for direct deposit.
For 9 out of 10 taxpayers, the IRS issued refunds in less than 21 days from the date the return was received last year. Skip right to the 2025 estimated tax refund calendar here >>
The IRS will start accepting e-File tax returns on January 27, 2025.
The 2025 personal tax deadline will be Tuesday, April 15, 2025. See the full list of tax due dates here.
The IRS does not release a calendar, but continues to issue guidance that most filers should receive their refund within 21 days. They also remind filers that many tax software programs allow you to submit your taxes before the start of tax season. However, these software programs don’t actually submit your return until the IRS opens the system (with a few minor exceptions for testing).
Also, you are legally allowed to mail in your tax return starting on January 1, 2025. However, if you mail in your return, you can expect to add at least 12 weeks to your processing time (at the low end). Make sure you understand all the tax deadlines here.
We also have put together an IRS Where’s My Refund FAQ and Questions for common issues people are seeing this year.
Early filers typically see a delay every year. We’re hoping that this will likely not be as much of an issue this year due to minimal tax code changes, but we could see some curve balls.
Remember, Congress passed a law that requires the IRS to HOLD all tax refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until February 15, 2025, regardless of how early the tax return was filed. So, if you file on the first day, you might still be waiting until February 15 for your refund. This is due to the PATH Act. Learn more about the PATH Act here.
The IRS typically provides updates with direct deposit dates, assuming there are no other problems with the tax returns. We expect the actual first direct deposits to arrive the first week of February, similar to previous years.
The goal of this is to cut down on fraud and give the IRS time to ensure no duplicate returns are filed. The trouble is, the IRS will hold your entire tax refund, not just the EITC or ACTC part.
When you get your refund, don’t let it go to waste! Make sure you put it in a high yield savings account ASAP!
If you’re looking to get your tax return faster, check out this list of banks that allow you to get your tax refund a few days early.
While getting your tax return is exciting, consider saving it in one of these top savings accounts.
Here is a chart of when you can expect your tax refund for when the return was accepted (based on e-Filing). This is an estimate based on past years trends, but based on past information, does seem accurate for about 90% of taxpayers. Also, as always, you can use the link after the calendar to get your specific refund status.
When can you file your 2024 federal tax return in 2025? Filing season is anytime between January 27 and April 15, 2025.
Now, when to expect my tax refund based on when it’s accepted!
Note: The IRS sends direct deposits to bank accounts every business day during tax season. Our goal is to provide the end of the week in which you should hopefully receive your tax refund.
Looking for a printable version of this tax refund schedule for 2025? Check out this link to DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION HERE.
Want an HTML version? See below:
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2025 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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If you file a tax extension in 2025, you can extend your personal tax deadline until October 15, 2025. Remember, if you choose to file an extension for your Federal tax return, you are still required to pay any taxes you may owe by the April deadline. If you are expecting a tax refund, that doesn’t really matter – but you still need to file to claim your refund.
Here’s a modified tax refund calendar specifically for those who filed a tax extension. We didn’t want to clutter the above chart given the dates for filing an extension are typically 6 months later. However, the rule of 21 days on average still applies if you file a tax extension and claim your refund later.
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2025 IRS Tax Extension Refund Calendar |
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If, for some reason, you didn’t receive your return in the time specified above, give or take a few days, you can always use the IRS’s tool called Get Refund Status. Since the link requires personal information, here is the non-html version: https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp.
Once you enter all your information, it will tell you what is going on with your refund. Remember, if you input the wrong SSN, it could cause an IRS Error Code 9001, and might make your return be held for Identity Verification.
Also, many taxpayers are concerned because they received a Reference Code when checking WMR. Here is a complete list of IRS Reference Codes. Just match up the code with the one in the list, and see what the problem could be. As always, if you are concerned, you can call the IRS directly at (800) 829-1040.
Looking for an old IRS refund chart? We saved them for you below.
Here is the 2024 tax refund calendar:
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2024 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2024 tax extension refund calendar:
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2024 IRS Tax Extension Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2023 IRS refund chart if you’re still wanting to remember what happened last year.
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2023 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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If you are looking for when to expect your tax extension return, see this table:
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2023 IRS Tax Extension Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2022 IRS refund chart if you’re still wanting to remember what happened last year.
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2022 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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There’s probably not much from 2021 you want to remember, but here’s our tax refund schedule if you are still looking for it.
Coronavirus Pandemic Delays And Date Changes
One of the biggest areas of delays are mail returns. In 2020, we saw mail held up for months, and we expect mail delays to continue. If possible, always eFile. Sending your return via mail will cause significant delays in processing.
If you’ve already filed your return, our assumption is there will be continued delays in processing times. If your return is under review or other information is needed, you may experience significant delays due to staffing.
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2021 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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There’s probably not much from 2020 you want to remember, but here’s our tax refund schedule if you are still looking for it:
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2020 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2019 IRS refund calendar if you’re still looking for it.
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2019 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2018 tax refund calendar.
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2018 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Still looking for the 2017 tax refund calendar? We saved it for you here:
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2017 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2016 tax refund calendar:
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2016 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2015 tax refund calendar:
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2015 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2014 tax refund calendar:
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2014 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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The IRS has multiple ways for taxpayers to track their tax refund.
The main ways to track your refund are:
Note: the old “Where’s my Refund” site is now simply called Check My Refund Status on the IRS webpage. It’s essentially the same tool.
First, it starts with your tax software, tax preparer, or your paper tax return form. Once you submit it, the IRS receives it. To confirm the IRS receives it, you’ll see the “accepted” message in your tracking software.
All “your tax return was accepted” means that it passed a basic test of having a valid social security number and other data. It doesn’t mean anything except that it’s in the IRS queue for processing. Your 21 day average starts from this point in time. If you filed before the IRS started accepting e-File submissions, your 21 day processing time starts from the IRS start date.
At the 21 day mark, you should either see a message that says approved or take action. If you’re approved, you should have a date and see your direct deposit in your account within a few days of that date (depending on your bank). If you see a take action message, you may be subject to a tax offset or other issue. Check out these common IRS issues.
Did you know that identity theft, especially around tax season, is running rampant? People’s credit information was stolen at Target, Home Depot, even The State of California. Now’s a great time to make sure that your credit is safe.
Credit Karma: Second, now is a great time to check your credit report and make sure that there are no issues. You should be checking your credit at least once per year, and tax time is a great time to do it. We recommend using Credit Karma because it’s free! Plus, Credit Karma has a lot of great tools to help you improve your credit if you need to, and they can help you monitor your credit over time.
Here are some of the most common questions and FAQs around this tax refund calendar and tax refund schedule:
When can I expect my tax refund?
The IRS says that 90% of tax filers receive their refund within 21 days. We built our tax refund calendar around this guideline. However, if you filed paper returns, your 21 day countdown doesn’t start until the IRS inputs your return into the system – which can take about 8 weeks.
How do I check my tax refund status?
You can check your tax refund status for your federal tax return on the IRS Refund Status page. You can check your state tax refund on your state’s tax refund status page.
What does it mean when your refund is pending with the IRS?
If your refund status says “Pending”, this means that your tax return is in progress.
How long can the IRS hold your refund?
The IRS can technically hold your refund as long as necessary to resolve any issues with your tax return. However, most people see a hold resolved within 21 days of the IRS receiving the requested information from an additional review (such as identity verification).
What if I filed EITC or ACTC?
If you have the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, your refund does not start processing until February 15. Your 21 day average starts from this point – so you can usually expect your tax refund the last week of February or first week of March.
How long does it take to process a return sent by mail?
If you mailed your tax return, allow twelve weeks for processing, then your 21 day period starts once your tax return is in the IRS system.
What if I get Tax Topic 152?
Tax Topic 152 simply means you’re getting a refund! Sit back, relax, and wait for that direct deposit or check to come!
What if I get Tax Topic 151?
This means you have a tax offset. Some or all of your refund is being garnished. Read our full guide to this here.
One of the best ways we keep track of what’s happening with tax refunds during tax season is your comments and feedback. Please drop a comment below and share your refund dates so others can know!
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