The IRS timeline for 2020 refunds

If you filed your 2020 tax return in 2021, the IRS aimed to issue refunds within 21 days of receiving your return. That 21-day window was the standard processing time, though the actual time from filing to money in your account depended on how you filed, whether the IRS had questions about your return, and which refund delivery method you chose.

The 21 days started when the IRS received your return, not when you mailed or submitted it. If you e-filed, the IRS received it the same day. If you mailed a paper return, it took several days to reach the IRS processing center, and that delay counted against your timeline.

By 2021, the IRS was processing 2020 returns months after the April important date because of a backlog. Returns filed in April or May 2021 often took longer than 21 days to process. The backlog meant some refunds issued in summer or fall 2021, even though the standard timeline was three weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS standard processing time for 2020 returns was 21 days from receipt, but actual timing depended on filing method and whether your return needed review.
  • E-filed returns reached the IRS the same day; mailed paper returns took several days to arrive at the processing center.
  • Direct deposit to your bank account was faster than a mailed check, typically arriving within a few business days after the IRS issued the refund.
  • The IRS faced a significant backlog in 2021, so many 2020 returns took longer than 21 days even after meeting all requirements.
  • You could track your refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool, which updated once per day.

E-filed returns versus mailed paper returns

E-filing was faster because the IRS received your return when ready. A return e-filed on April 1, 2021 was in the IRS system that same day, and the 21-day clock started. A paper return mailed on April 1 took 5 to 10 business days to reach a processing center, so the clock did not start until mid-April.

Paper returns also required manual data entry by IRS staff, which added processing time even after the return arrived. E-filed returns were automatically read by IRS computers, reducing the chance of delays from transcription errors.

For 2020 returns filed in 2021, the backlog affected both methods, but e-filed returns generally moved through the queue faster because they required less manual handling.

Direct deposit versus check delivery

Once the IRS processed your return and approved the refund, the delivery method determined how long you waited to see the money. Direct deposit was the fastest option. The IRS sent the refund electronically to your bank, and it typically appeared in your account within one to three business days.

A mailed check took longer. The IRS printed the check, placed it in an envelope, and sent it through the postal service. Depending on your location and postal delays, a check could take two to four weeks to arrive after the IRS issued it. If the check was lost or delayed in the mail, you would not receive it at all.

The IRS recommended direct deposit for this reason. It was not only faster but also more reliable because there was no physical mail involved.

When the IRS needed more information

Some 2020 returns triggered additional review before the IRS issued a refund. Common reasons included claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), or reporting income that did not match IRS records from employers or financial institutions.

If your return needed review, the IRS sent you a letter explaining what documents or information they needed. You had to respond within the timeframe stated in the letter, usually 30 days. Once the IRS received your response and verified the information, they processed the refund. This added weeks or months to the timeline.

In 2021, the IRS also delayed refunds for returns claiming the EITC or ACTC as a standard practice, even without additional questions. These refunds were held until mid-February 2021 at the earliest, regardless of when you filed.

Tracking your refund status

The IRS provided the Where's My Refund tool on its website, which showed the status of your 2020 return. You entered your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to check the status. The tool updated once per day, usually overnight.

The tool showed three possible statuses: "Return Received," meaning the IRS had your return but had not finished processing it; "Approved," meaning the IRS approved your refund and it was on the way; and "Delivered," meaning the refund had been issued. If your refund was delayed or the IRS needed more information, the tool displayed a message explaining the reason.

If Where's My Refund showed no information about your return, it meant the IRS had not yet received it or there was an error in the information you entered. Calling the IRS was the next step, though wait times in 2021 were extremely long.

Refunds delayed by the 2021 backlog

The IRS faced a severe backlog of 2020 returns in 2021. By summer 2021, millions of returns were still waiting to be processed. Returns filed in April or May 2021 often did not receive refunds until July, August, or later.

The backlog was caused by staffing shortages, the volume of returns filed, and the complexity of processing returns with pandemic-related credits like the Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS prioritized returns that were straightforward and did not require additional review, which meant more complex returns waited longer.

If your 2020 return was filed in 2021 and you did not receive your refund within a few months, the backlog was likely the reason. The IRS did not have a specific date when the backlog would clear, and there was no way to move your return to the front of the queue.

What to do if your refund did not arrive

If your refund was approved but did not arrive within the expected timeframe, the first step was to check Where's My Refund again. If it showed "Delivered" but you had not received the money, the refund may have been mailed as a check and lost in the mail, or there was a problem with your bank account information.

If you chose direct deposit and the refund showed as delivered but did not appear in your account, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number you provided to the IRS were correct. If they were correct, the bank may have rejected the deposit for a technical reason, and you would need to contact the IRS to request a check instead.

If your refund was mailed as a check and did not arrive after four weeks, you could request a replacement check through the IRS. You would need to wait 120 days from the date the IRS issued the refund before requesting a replacement, to allow time for the original check to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my 2020 refund take longer than 21 days?

The 21-day timeline was a goal, not a may provide. In 2021, the IRS faced a backlog of millions of returns, so many refunds took two to four months. Your return may have also been delayed if it claimed the EITC or ACTC, if it needed additional review, or if you mailed a paper return instead of e-filing.

Can I speed up my refund?

No. Once you file, the IRS processes returns in the order they are received. E-filing and choosing direct deposit are the fastest methods available, but they do not move your return ahead of others. If your return is delayed, you cannot contact the IRS to expedite it.

What if I filed my 2020 return in 2022 and still have not received the refund?

Contact the IRS directly. Returns filed that late are unusual and may have been lost or misfiled. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit an IRS office in person. Bring a copy of your return and any correspondence from the IRS.

Is my refund safe if I chose direct deposit?

Direct deposit is find. The IRS sends the refund electronically to your bank using the account and routing number you provided. If the information was correct, the money reaches your account safely. If the account number was wrong, the bank rejects the deposit and the IRS reissues it as a check.

How do I know if the IRS received my mailed return?

Use Where's My Refund on the IRS website. If it shows any status, the IRS received your return. If it shows no information after two weeks, your return may not have arrived. Contact the IRS to confirm they received it and ask them to trace it.