The IRS generally processes electronically filed tax returns within about 21 days, with most refunds issued in less than three weeks after acceptance of the return
. Paper returns take longer, typically around six to eight weeks due to manual processing
. The timeline includes these stages: the IRS first acknowledges receipt of your return, then reviews it for accuracy, and finally approves and issues the refund. After processing, direct deposit refunds are usually sent within a few days, while mailed checks may take additional time depending on postal delivery
. Factors that can delay processing include errors on the return, mismatched information, claims for credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or additional IRS review
. You can check the status of your refund starting 24 hours after e-filing using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool or the IRS2Go app for real-time updates
. In summary:
- E-filed returns: Typically processed within 21 days; refunds usually issued within this period.
- Paper returns: Usually take 6 to 8 weeks to process.
- Direct deposit: Refunds arrive faster than mailed checks.
- Delays: Possible due to errors, credits claimed, or IRS review.
- Status tracking: Available online 24 hours after e-filing.
This timeline applies to the 2025 tax filing season and is consistent with recent IRS processing practices
