What Is the IRS Refund Schedule?
File your taxes with confidence.
Your max tax refund is guaranteed.
The IRS starts processing your tax return as soon as they receive it. But how long does it take to receive your tax refund after processing begins?
What is the IRS refund schedule for tax year 2023?
The IRS generally processes e-filed returns and sends refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days. If you’re a paper filer, it can take much longer. Once you’ve filed, you can track your refund on the IRS website.
The IRS encourages all filers to file electronically to receive their income tax refund in a timely manner this tax season. Not only is this the fastest way to receive your tax refund, but it’s safe, secure, and easy to do yourself online when using online tax preparation software like TaxAct®.
Even if you e-file, it’s possible your refund could take longer than 21 days. This usually only happens if your tax return requires further review from the IRS.
When can I expect my tax refund for tax year 2023?
If you e-file and there are no issues with your tax return you should receive your tax refund within 21 days if you use direct deposit.
If you opt to receive your tax refund as a check, you may end up waiting a little longer — it typically takes the U.S. Treasury more time to issue paper checks.
What issues could delay my tax refund?
Your tax refund could take longer than 21 days if you filed on paper, the return was incomplete, or it included errors. Fraud or identity theft or your Social Security number could also delay your tax refund.
When should I expect my tax refund in 2024 if I claim the EITC?
If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or have dependents and claim the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), you likely will not receive your refund via bank account or debit card until Feb. 28, or potentially a few days earlier.
By tax law, the IRS cannot issue these refunds until mid-February due to the PATH Act. That’s why, if you claimed one of these credits, the estimated date to receive your refund is Feb. 28 (depending on when you filed of course).
Another thing that could delay your tax refund is filing Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation. The IRS could take up to 14 weeks to process these returns.
How can I track my tax refund?
You can easily track your tax refund status with the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool. You can find it on the IRS.gov website or through the IRS2Go app on mobile.
What day of the week does the IRS update my tax refund status?
The IRS updates refund statuses once per week on Wednesdays. Wait at least 72 hours before tracking your refund status if you e-file or at least four weeks if you file a paper return. Once the IRS confirms receipt of your federal tax return and you wait the appropriate amount of time, you should be able to check the status of your refund.
For the next tax season, consider utilizing a reliable tax calculator to estimate your refund amount before filing to eliminate surprises.
This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.
All TaxAct offers, products and services are subject to applicable terms and conditions.
File your taxes with confidence.
Your max tax refund is guaranteed.
