Federal tax refunds typically take up to 21 days (about 3 weeks) to be issued after the IRS accepts your electronically filed return with direct deposit selected, which is the fastest method
. If you file a paper return, the refund process generally takes longer-about 6 to 8 weeks-and can be delayed further if you receive a paper check instead of direct deposit
. Certain factors can cause delays, such as claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), errors on your return, missing signatures, or mismatched information with IRS records
. You can track the status of your refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" online tool or by phone, which updates weekly and provides statuses like "received return," "refund approved," or "refund sent"
. In summary:
- E-file + direct deposit: up to 3 weeks
- Paper file + direct deposit: 4 to 8 weeks
- E-file + paper check: about 4 weeks
- Paper file + paper check: 6 to 8 weeks or more
Delays may occur depending on credits claimed and accuracy of your return
