Tax refunds are slower this year because the IRS is understaffed, processing more returns than usual, and flagging more returns for manual review
The IRS processes roughly 150 million individual tax returns each year, and the agency has fewer staff members than it did a decade ago. When staffing is low and volume is high, refunds that used to arrive in 21 days now take longer — sometimes six weeks or more. The IRS also flags more returns for verification now, especially those claiming certain credits or reporting self-employment income, which adds weeks to processing time.
The speed of your refund depends on three things: how you filed, whether the IRS needs to verify information on your return, and how busy the IRS is at the moment you filed. Understanding where your return sits in the queue and what might slow it down helps you know whether to expect a delay or a real problem.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS currently takes longer than the standard 21 days to process most returns, with six to eight weeks being common during peak season.
- Returns filed electronically with direct deposit are processed faster than paper returns or those requesting a check by mail.
- The IRS flags returns for manual review if they contain math errors, missing information, or claims that require verification — this can add four to six weeks.
- You can check the status of your return using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, which updates once per day.
- If your return shows an error or the IRS needs more information, they will mail you a letter — do not wait for a phone call.
How the IRS processes returns and why speed varies
The IRS processes returns in batches. When you file electronically, your return enters a queue with thousands of others filed that same day. The IRS scans the return for errors, checks that your Social Security number matches IRS records, and verifies that you have not already filed under that number. If all of that passes, your return moves to the payment stage.
Paper returns take longer because they must be physically opened, scanned, and entered into the system by hand. A paper return filed in April might not be scanned until June. Even after scanning, the IRS still runs the same verification checks, so a paper return typically takes three to four months from filing to refund.
Electronic returns with direct deposit are fastest because the IRS can deposit money directly into your bank account without printing and mailing a check. This path usually takes four to six weeks during normal periods, though it can stretch to eight weeks or longer during tax season (January through May).
Why the IRS flags returns for manual review
Not every return moves through automatically. The IRS manually reviews returns that contain certain red flags. Common reasons include math errors on the return itself, missing information like a dependent's Social Security number, claims for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit that need verification, or income reported on your return that does not match what employers or banks reported to the IRS.
When a return is flagged, an IRS employee must open it, check the details, and decide whether to approve it or request more information from you. This process adds four to six weeks minimum. If the IRS needs documents from you — like proof of childcare expenses for the EITC or a mortgage statement for the home office deduction — the clock restarts when they mail you the request, and you have 30 days to respond.
The IRS will not call you about a flagged return. They will mail you a letter explaining what they need. If you receive a call claiming to be from the IRS about your refund, it is a scam.
How to check your refund status
The IRS provides a tool called Where's My Refund on IRS.gov. You can access it by going to IRS.gov, clicking on "Refunds" in the top menu, and selecting "Where's My Refund." You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.
The tool shows one of three statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but has not finished processing it), "Approved" (the IRS has approved your return and is preparing to send your refund), or "Sent" (your refund has been mailed or deposited). The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in one day will not show new information.
If your return shows "Return Received" for more than 21 days after you filed electronically, or more than 60 days after you mailed a paper return, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask whether your return has been flagged for review.
What to do if your refund is delayed beyond normal timeframes
If Where's My Refund shows no status at all, or if your return has been in "Return Received" status for longer than the timeframes above, your return may be held for verification. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. The IRS representative can tell you whether your return is under review and what information they need from you.
If the IRS has mailed you a letter requesting documents or information, respond within the important date stated in the letter. Mail your response to the address on the letter, not to the main IRS office. Keep a copy of everything you send. If you miss the important date, the IRS may deny your refund, though you can still appeal by filing an amended return.
If you filed your return more than 120 days ago and Where's My Refund still shows no status, or if you have not received a letter explaining the delay, you can file a complaint with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is a free IRS office that helps when normal channels are not working. You can reach them at 1-877-777-4778.
The difference between a delayed refund and a missing refund
A delayed refund is one the IRS is still processing. A missing refund is one that was supposed to arrive but did not. If Where's My Refund shows "Sent" but you have not received your refund after two weeks (for direct deposit) or four weeks (for a mailed check), your refund may have been lost or sent to the wrong account.
For direct deposit refunds, check with your bank to confirm the deposit was not made to a different account. If you changed banks since you filed, the IRS may have sent the money to your old account. Contact your old bank and ask them to reverse the deposit and return it to the IRS, then file an amended return with your current bank information.
For mailed checks, wait four weeks from the "Sent" date before assuming it is lost. If it does not arrive after four weeks, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to issue a replacement check or direct deposit the refund to your current account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the IRS say a refund should take?
The IRS states 21 days for electronically filed returns, but this is the minimum under ideal conditions, not the typical timeframe. During tax season, most refunds take four to eight weeks. Paper returns typically take three to four months.
Will the IRS call me about my refund?
No. The IRS communicates about refunds only by mail. If someone calls claiming to be from the IRS about your refund, it is a scam. Hang up and report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at tigta.gov.
Can I speed up my refund?
You cannot speed up processing once you have filed. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the fastest method available. Filing a paper return or requesting a check by mail will delay your refund by weeks.
What if I made a mistake on my return?
If you filed electronically and realize you made an error before the IRS processes your return, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. If the IRS has already processed your return, they will contact you by mail if they found an error. Do not file an amended return unless the IRS asks you to or you discover a significant mistake.
Can I get my refund as a loan while I wait?
Some tax preparation companies offer refund anticipation loans, which are short-term loans based on your expected refund. These loans charge fees and interest, making them expensive. It is usually better to wait for your actual refund than to borrow against it.