IRS Delayed Tax Refunds for 47 Million U.S. Citizens: This Is Your Guidance If You're Among Them
Going the Extra Mile for Your Tax Refund
It's understandable that you might be eagerly awaiting your tax refund, even though millions of other American taxpayers have already received theirs. To help you navigate the situation, here's a breakdown of what you should expect and what you can do if things aren't moving as quickly as you'd like.
Timeframe for Refund Receipt
The time taken to receive a refund can fluctuate based on whether it's direct deposit or a paper check. Typical processing durations are:
- Up to 21 days for e-filed returns
- Four weeks or more for amended returns and paper returns
- Additional time if your return requires corrections or additional review
Factors That May Delay Your Refund
There could be several reasons why your refund hasn't arrived yet. Here are some possibilities:
- IRS Processing Time: Refunds may take longer if your return has errors, is incomplete, or requires additional review
- Errors or Incomplete Returns: Errors such as missing Social Security numbers, incorrect bank account details, or outdated information can hold up your refund
- Additional Verification: Returns claiming the EITC or ACTC may require additional verification to confirm eligibility, adding to the wait time
- Identity Verification: If there's suspicion of identity theft or fraud, the IRS may take additional time to verify your information
- Unclaimed Refunds: Unclaimed refunds from previous tax years can delay your refund if a return hasn't been filed, for instance, over $1 billion in 2021 tax year refunds remained unclaimed as of May 12, 2025
Checking the Status of Your Refund
If you're wondering where your refund is, the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool can help. After entering your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return, you'll receive one of the following responses:
- Refund received (refund being processed)
- Refund approved (refund is being prepared for issue)
- Refund sent (refund has been sent to your bank or is in the mail)
Wait Times for Checking Refund Status
According to the IRS, taxpayers who filed electronically should wait 24 hours before checking the status of their refund, while those who filed on paper should wait four weeks.
Estimated Refund Dates
According to the Taxpayer Advocate, taxpayers who are still waiting for their refunds can expect to receive them between June 20 and 24. The specific dates depend on when you filed your return:
If You Requested Direct Deposit:
- May 30 filers – June 20
- May 31 filers – June 21
- June 1 filers – June 22
- June 2 filers – June 23
- June 3 filers – June 24
If You Requested a Paper Check:
- Returns filed from May 8 to June 20
- Returns filed from May 9 to June 21
- Returns filed from May 10 to June 22
- Returns filed from May 11 to June 23
- Returns filed on May 12 to June 24
In Other News - Stimulus Checks for New York Residents
New York residents can expect to receive stimulus checks of up to $400 to help cover rising inflation costs.
In the event of an incomplete or error-ridden tax return, personal-finance management may be put to the test as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could take longer to process the refund, causing delay. Additionally, if your return requires additional verification, particularly for claims related to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), personal-finance planning might need adjustment due to the extended wait.
