The IRS is processing refunds more slowly in 2024 because of staffing shortages, increased fraud checks, and a backlog of unprocessed returns from previous years

The Internal Revenue Service has fewer employees than it did a decade ago, even though the volume of tax returns and complexity of the tax code have both grown. In 2024, the IRS is stretched thin across all its operations — processing returns, answering phones, and conducting the fraud verification checks that now happen on most refunds before money leaves the agency. A return that might have been processed in two weeks in 2015 can take four to eight weeks now, depending on whether the IRS flags it for additional review.

The agency also carries forward unprocessed returns from 2023 and earlier years. These older returns sit in the queue ahead of current-year filings, which means even a straightforward 2024 return may wait longer than you expect. The IRS publishes average processing times on its website, but those are averages — some returns clear in days, while others wait months.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS has fewer staff members than in previous decades, which slows processing of all returns regardless of complexity.
  • Most refunds now go through fraud verification checks before the IRS releases the money, adding one to three weeks to the timeline.
  • Returns with errors, missing information, or income that doesn't match IRS records face additional delays while the agency investigates.
  • You can check the status of your specific return using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates every 24 hours.
  • Refunds that are delayed because of identity theft or fraud investigation may not arrive until the IRS completes its review, which can take months.

How staffing shortages affect refund speed

The IRS workforce has declined significantly since 2010. The agency had roughly 94,000 employees then; by 2024, that number had fallen to around 80,000, even as the number of tax returns filed each year has remained above 150 million. Fewer people processing the same volume of work means longer wait times across the board.

The shortage is most acute in the IRS Criminal Investigation division and the Examination division, which handles audits and complex returns. But it also affects the Wage and Investment division, which processes most individual tax returns. When the IRS receives a return, it goes into a queue. If staffing is low, that queue grows longer, and your return waits.

Congress has appropriated additional funding to the IRS in recent years, and the agency has used some of that money to hire new employees and modernize its systems. However, hiring and training take time, and many new employees are still ramping up. The net effect in 2024 is that the IRS is still understaffed relative to its workload.

Fraud verification checks that delay most refunds

The IRS now runs automated fraud checks on the vast majority of returns before releasing a refund. These checks look for signs of identity theft, wage misreporting, or other red flags. If a return passes the checks, it moves forward. If it triggers a flag, the IRS holds the refund and investigates further.

The fraud verification process typically adds one to three weeks to the refund timeline, even for returns that ultimately pass review. The IRS is trying to prevent refund fraud, which costs the government billions each year, but the cost is slower refunds for everyone. A return that would have been processed in 10 days now takes 14 to 21 days because of these checks.

Certain types of returns are more likely to trigger fraud checks: returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), returns with large refunds relative to reported income, and returns filed by people who have been victims of identity theft in the past. If your return triggers a check, the IRS will contact you by mail if it needs more information.

Errors and missing information that halt processing

If your return has an error — a typo in your Social Security number, a missing signature, or income that doesn't match what your employer reported to the IRS — the agency will hold the return and send you a notice by mail. You then have to respond with corrected information or documentation. This back-and-forth can add weeks or months to the refund timeline.

Common errors that trigger holds include mismatched income (your W-2 shows different income than what you reported), missing or incorrect dependent information, and math errors. The IRS catches these automatically when it scans your return. If you made a mistake, you will hear about it, but the process is slow because the IRS communicates by mail, not email or phone.

If you filed electronically and the IRS rejected your return because of an error, you will see that rejection in your e-file account. You can then correct the return and refile. If you filed on paper, you will receive a notice in the mail. Either way, the delay is unavoidable — the IRS cannot process a return it has flagged as incorrect until you provide the missing or corrected information.

Identity theft and fraud investigation holds

If the IRS suspects your return is connected to identity theft or fraud, it will hold your refund indefinitely while it investigates. This is different from a routine fraud check. An investigation hold means the IRS believes someone may have filed a fraudulent return using your information, or that your return itself contains fraudulent claims.

If you are a victim of identity theft, the IRS will eventually release your refund once it confirms your identity and determines that your return is legitimate. However, this process can take months. The IRS may ask you to file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, and provide documentation of your identity. Until the investigation closes, your refund will not be released.

You can check whether your return is under investigation by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or by checking the "Where's My Refund?" tool. If the tool says your return is being reviewed, you can also contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is an independent office within the IRS that can sometimes expedite reviews or provide guidance on next steps.

What the "Where's My Refund?" tool actually tells you

The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool is available on the IRS website and updates every 24 hours. It will tell you whether the IRS has received your return, whether it is being processed, whether it has been approved, and when the refund will be deposited or mailed. However, the tool does not explain why a refund is delayed — it only shows status.

The tool typically shows one of three statuses: "Return Received," "Approved," or "Sent." If your return shows "Return Received" for more than 21 days, it may be held for review. If it shows "Approved" but no deposit date appears, the refund is in the queue to be sent. The tool does not show holds for fraud investigation or error correction — you will receive a notice by mail if your return is held for those reasons.

To use the tool, you will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. You can check as often as you want; checking does not speed up processing. The tool is most useful for confirming that the IRS has received your return and for tracking the deposit date once the refund is approved.

How long refunds typically take in 2024

The IRS publishes processing time estimates on its website, but these vary depending on how you filed and whether your return is straightforward or complex. For electronically filed returns with no errors or fraud flags, the IRS typically processes refunds within 21 days. For paper returns, the timeline is longer — often 4 to 6 weeks or more.

However, these are estimates, not guarantees. Returns that trigger fraud checks, have errors, or are held for any reason can take much longer. Some refunds are delayed by months while the IRS investigates. The IRS does not provide a specific timeline for investigation holds; it only says the review will take "as long as necessary."

If you filed early in the tax season (January or February), your return may be processed faster because the IRS is less overwhelmed. If you filed in April, expect longer waits. The IRS also prioritizes certain returns — for example, returns claiming the EITC are often held longer for fraud verification, even if they ultimately pass review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call the IRS to speed up my refund?

Calling the IRS will not speed up processing, but it can help if your return is held for a specific reason. If the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your return is being reviewed or if you received a notice asking for more information, calling can clarify what the IRS needs from you. The IRS phone line is 1-800-829-1040. Wait times are long, especially during tax season.

What should I do if my refund is delayed more than 21 days?

First, check the "Where's My Refund?" tool to see the current status. If the tool shows your return is still being processed and no issues are flagged, wait a few more days — delays beyond 21 days are common in 2024. If the tool shows an error or hold, or if you received a notice by mail, follow the instructions in the notice. If you have waited more than 60 days and received no explanation, contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Does filing on paper cause longer delays than e-filing?

Yes. Paper returns take longer to scan and process than electronically filed returns. The IRS estimates 4 to 6 weeks for paper returns versus 21 days for e-filed returns, though both timelines have been longer in 2024. If you filed on paper, expect a longer wait.

What happens if I need my refund urgently?

The IRS does not have an expedited refund process for urgent situations. However, if you are experiencing financial hardship, you can contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service to request assistance. The Advocate Service can sometimes prioritize a case or help resolve holds, but it cannot force the IRS to release a refund before its review is complete.

Will my refund be reduced if the IRS finds an error?

Possibly. If the IRS finds an error on your return — for example, you claimed a dependent you are not may have access to to claim — it will correct the error and reduce your refund accordingly. The IRS will send you a notice explaining the correction. You have the right to dispute the correction by responding to the notice within the deadline provided.