Waiting for your tax refund is a test of patience, especially if you're using the money to pay for essentials. Almost one in four (23%) taxpayers who expect a refund this year plan to use it to pay down credit card debt, according to a March 2026 CNBC-SurveyMoney survey, with another 20% using it to cover basic living expenses.
A single mistake can delay your refund, though, as can not using the most efficient filing methods
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Where's my tax refund?
If you properly file an electronic return and provide direct deposit information, your refund should be received within 21 days of filing.
In the 2025 filing season, about 94% of individual tax returns were submitted electronically, according to the IRS, but that still means 11 million individual paper returns. Mailing your return or requesting a paper check can mean it will take more than eight weeks for a refund to arrive.
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How to track your 2025 tax refund
Keep tabs on your return with the IRS's Where's My Refund tool or with the IRS2Go app, which you can download from Apple's App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
You'll need to know your Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number to use either service, as well as your filing status and the exact amount of the refund you're expecting.
The status of your return and any refund should be available within 24 hours of e-filing. The IRS typically updates information overnight, so you may need to check several times for the latest information.
Why your refund may be delayed
A variety of issues can hold up a refund, including:
- Filing a paper return or requesting a physical check
- A return with math errors or that is incomplete or unsigned
- If the IRS suspects identity theft or fraud
- If the IRS is challenging a credit you've claimed
- You still owe the IRS a previous year's return
- You're being audited for a prior tax year
- Your bank or credit union has not posted the refund
Will a government shutdown affect my refund?
The IRS is usually affected by lapses in federal funding, and we've had two in less than a year. The agency remained open during the 43-day shutdown in October, but according to a statement at the time, only "electronically filed, error-free tax returns that can be automatically processed and direct deposited" were issued.
If there's another government shutdown, it's likely to impact how quickly paper returns are processed.
Owe back taxes? See if a tax relief service can help
Can I call the IRS about my refund?
According to the IRS, you should only call if it's been at least 21 days since you filed an electronic return or at least 6 weeks since you mailed a paper return.
For questions about individual federal returns, call 800-829-1040, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (The wait time during tax season may be considerable.)
You can also make an appointment to get help at a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. The agency does not accept tax-related questions by email.
Tax refund FAQs
Where is my tax refund?
You can get updates on the status of your income tax refund on the IRS2Go app or the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool.
How long does it take to get a tax refund?
According to the IRS, 90% of eligible returns filed electronically and set up for direct deposit will receive a refund within 21 days of filing. If you mailed your return, asked for a physical check or filed an amended return, it could take eight weeks or longer.
How long should I keep an old tax return?
The IRS recommends keeping copies of your tax returns for at least three years.
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