The time it takes to get a tax refund depends mainly on how you file your return and how you choose to receive your refund:
- If you e-file your tax return and opt for direct deposit , you can typically expect your refund within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return. The IRS usually acknowledges e-filed returns within 24 to 48 hours, and most refunds are processed and sent within three weeks after acceptance
- If you file a paper return , the process takes longer, generally about 6 to 8 weeks from when the IRS receives your return. Paper returns are slower to process whether you choose direct deposit or a mailed check
- Choosing to receive your refund by paper check instead of direct deposit can add extra time, usually about 4 weeks or more after processing
Additional factors that may delay your refund include errors on your return, mismatched information (such as name or Social Security number), claiming certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), or IRS processing backlogs
. To check the status of your refund, the IRS provides the "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates daily starting 24 hours after e-filing acceptance
. Summary:
Filing Method| Refund Delivery Method| Estimated Time to Receive Refund
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E-file| Direct Deposit| Up to 21 days after IRS acceptance
E-file| Paper Check| Around 4 weeks after IRS acceptance
Paper File| Direct Deposit| 6 to 8 weeks from IRS receipt
Paper File| Paper Check| 6 to 8 weeks from IRS receipt
The fastest way to get your refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit
