Where the IRS stands on 2024 returns right now

The IRS processes tax returns in waves throughout the year, and 2024 returns filed early in the season move faster than those filed closer to the deadline. As of early 2025, the IRS is still working through the volume of 2024 returns submitted during filing season. Processing time depends on whether you filed electronically or by mail, whether your return was flagged for review, and whether you claimed certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Electronic returns typically process within 21 days if there are no issues. Paper returns take much longer — often 4 to 6 weeks or more — because they must be manually scanned and entered into the IRS system. If your return was selected for examination or contains errors, it will sit in a queue until an IRS employee can review it, which adds weeks or months to the timeline.

The IRS does not publish a single "current processing time" that applies to all returns. Instead, you can check the status of your specific return using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, which updates every 24 hours and shows whether your return has been received, is being processed, or has been approved.

Key Takeaways

  • Electronic returns typically process within 21 days if filed correctly and without issues; paper returns take 4 to 6 weeks or longer.
  • The IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov shows the real status of your specific return and updates daily.
  • Returns selected for examination or containing errors will take significantly longer — sometimes several months — because they require manual review.
  • Filing electronically with direct deposit is the fastest path; paper returns and checks add weeks to the timeline.
  • The IRS does not have a single backlog status; processing speed varies by return type, filing method, and whether your return triggered a review.

Why some 2024 returns are still being processed

The IRS receives over 150 million individual returns each year, and they do not all arrive on the same day. Returns filed in February and March move through the system faster than those filed in April or May. If you filed your 2024 return in April or later, your return is still in the normal processing queue and has not been delayed — it is simply later in line than earlier filers.

Certain types of returns take longer by design. Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) are held until mid-February of the following year by law, even if filed earlier. This means a 2024 return claiming EITC filed in January 2025 will not be processed until at least February 15, 2025. Returns with math errors, missing information, or mismatched Social Security numbers are flagged automatically and sent to an IRS employee for correction, which adds weeks.

Paper returns create a bottleneck because they must be physically opened, scanned, and manually entered into the IRS computer system. A paper return filed in April 2024 may not be fully entered into the system until June or July, and processing does not begin until after data entry is complete.

How to check if your 2024 return is still being processed

The most reliable way to know the status of your return is to use the IRS Where's My Refund tool at IRS.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool will show one of three statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but has not started processing), "Return Approved" (the IRS has processed your return and approved it), or "Refund Sent" (your refund has been issued).

If your return shows "Return Received" and more than 21 days have passed since you filed electronically, your return may have been flagged for review. If more than 4 to 6 weeks have passed since you mailed a paper return, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm it was received and entered into the system.

Do not rely on the IRS transcript system or your tax software's status tracker — these often show outdated information. The Where's My Refund tool is updated every 24 hours and is the official source.

What causes delays beyond normal processing time

A return can be delayed for several concrete reasons. Math errors — even small ones like adding incorrectly — trigger an automatic hold. Mismatched information, such as a Social Security number that does not match IRS records or a name spelled differently than on file, stops processing. Missing forms or schedules, such as filing a Schedule C without attaching a Schedule SE, causes the IRS to send a notice requesting the missing document.

Identity verification holds are becoming more common. If the IRS suspects identity theft or cannot verify your information through its systems, it will place your return on hold and may send you a letter requesting documents like a copy of your driver's license or a recent tax return. This process can take 60 to 90 days or longer.

Examination (audit) is another cause of delay. The IRS selects a small percentage of returns for examination each year, either randomly or because certain items on the return triggered a computer flag. An examined return is removed from the normal processing queue and assigned to an IRS employee, who may request documentation or propose changes. This can take months.

What to do if your return has been delayed

If your return shows "Return Received" and more than 21 days have passed since you filed electronically, or more than 4 to 6 weeks have passed since you mailed it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. The IRS representative can tell you whether your return is in normal processing, has been flagged for review, or is being examined.

If the IRS has sent you a notice, respond to it within the deadline stated in the letter. Notices typically request missing documents, ask you to verify information, or propose changes to your return. Ignoring a notice will delay processing further and may result in penalties.

If you filed a paper return and it has been more than 8 weeks since you mailed it, ask the IRS to search for it. Occasionally paper returns are lost in the mail or misfiled. The IRS can search its system and tell you whether your return was received and scanned.

The difference between processing delays and refund delays

A processing delay and a refund delay are not the same thing. Your return can be processed and approved by the IRS, but your refund can still be delayed if you chose to receive it by check instead of direct deposit. Checks are mailed by the U.S. Postal Service and can take 5 to 7 business days to arrive after the IRS issues them. If you moved and did not update your address with the IRS, your check may be returned to the IRS, which then must reissue it.

If your return was approved and the Where's My Refund tool shows "Refund Sent," but you have not received your check after 7 business days, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm your mailing address and request a trace on the check. The IRS can issue a replacement check if the original was lost or returned.

Direct deposit refunds arrive within 1 to 2 business days after the IRS approves your return, which is why it is the fastest method.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the IRS take to process a 2024 return filed electronically?

Electronic returns typically process within 21 days if there are no errors or issues. This timeline begins the day after you file. If your return is selected for examination or contains errors, processing will take significantly longer — sometimes several months.

Why is my 2024 return still showing "Return Received" after 30 days?

Your return may have been flagged for review due to math errors, missing information, mismatched data, or because you claimed certain credits like the EITC. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to find out why your return is still in the received status. Do not assume it is lost.

Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS?

No. Calling the IRS can tell you the status of your return, but it cannot speed up processing. The only way to receive your refund faster is to have filed electronically with direct deposit, which is the fastest method available.

What should I do if the IRS sent me a notice about my 2024 return?

Read the notice carefully and follow the instructions. Most notices request missing documents or ask you to verify information. Respond by the deadline stated in the letter. Ignoring a notice will delay your refund and may result in penalties or additional taxes owed.

Is the IRS currently behind on processing 2024 returns?

The IRS is not uniformly behind — it depends on when you filed and what type of return you submitted. Early filers and those with straightforward returns are processed on schedule. Returns filed later in the season, paper returns, and returns selected for examination take longer. Use the Where's My Refund tool to check your specific return's status.