Why the IRS is processing refunds slower this year
Tax refund delays in 2025 are real, but they are not uniform across all returns. The IRS is experiencing staffing shortages, increased return volume, and processing backlogs that started in late 2024 and have carried into the new year. Returns filed electronically are moving faster than paper returns, but even e-filed returns are taking longer than they did in previous years.
The IRS has not published a single delay date that applies to everyone. Instead, processing time depends on what type of return you filed, whether you claimed certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and whether your return was selected for review. A straightforward return with no credits might arrive in 21 days. A return claiming EITC or Child Tax Credit can take 6 to 8 weeks or longer.
Paper returns are the slowest. The IRS is still working through a backlog of unprocessed paper returns from 2024. If you mailed your 2024 return and it has not been processed, your 2025 return will wait in line behind it. The agency has not given a date when this backlog will clear.
Key Takeaways
- Electronically filed returns are processing faster than paper returns, but still slower than in 2024, with most taking 3 to 6 weeks instead of 21 days.
- Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit are delayed longer — often 6 to 8 weeks — because the IRS manually reviews them.
- Paper returns are the slowest and face a backlog from 2024; the IRS has not announced when this backlog will clear.
- You can check your refund status using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates every 24 hours and is the only reliable source for your specific return.
- If your refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe, contact the IRS directly or reach out to a tax professional; do not rely on your tax preparer's estimate alone.
How long different types of returns are taking right now
The IRS publishes processing time ranges, but these are estimates, not guarantees. As of early 2025, electronically filed returns without complications are taking 3 to 6 weeks. In 2024, the same returns took 21 days. That is a significant slowdown.
Returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) are taking 6 to 8 weeks or longer. These credits trigger mandatory manual review by IRS staff, and the agency has not increased staffing to match the volume. If you claimed either credit, expect to wait longer than the standard timeframe.
Paper returns filed by mail are taking 8 to 12 weeks or more. The IRS is still scanning and processing paper returns from late 2024. Your 2025 paper return will be processed in the order it was received, which means it sits behind any unprocessed 2024 returns from your region.
Returns selected for examination (audit) or that contain errors will take even longer. The IRS will contact you by mail if your return is selected. Do not assume your return is being audited if you have not received a letter.
What the IRS says about staffing and resources
The IRS has stated publicly that it is understaffed. Congress reduced the agency's budget in recent years, and hiring has not kept pace with return volume. The agency has brought in temporary staff to help with processing, but this does not fully close the gap.
The IRS has also prioritized certain returns — those without complications and those filed electronically — to move them through faster. This means simpler returns are being processed ahead of more complex ones, which is why the delays are not evenly distributed.
The agency has not announced a date when processing times will return to 2024 levels. If staffing or budget changes occur during the filing season, processing times could improve or worsen.
How to check your refund status
The only reliable way to check your refund is through the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov. This tool shows the status of your specific return and updates every 24 hours. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.
Do not rely on your tax preparer's estimate or your bank's notification that a deposit is coming. Tax preparers often quote standard processing times, which do not reflect current delays. Your bank may show a pending deposit that never arrives if the IRS has not actually sent the money yet.
"Where's My Refund?" will tell you if your return is still being processed, if it has been approved and is in the payment queue, or if there is a problem that requires your attention. If the tool says your return is still being processed after 6 weeks, contact the IRS directly.
What to do if your refund is delayed beyond the expected timeframe
If "Where's My Refund?" shows your return is still processing after the timeframe has passed, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. The IRS can tell you if your return is in the backlog, if it has been selected for review, or if there is an error that is holding it up.
If you filed through a tax preparer, contact them as well. They may have access to additional information or be able to file an inquiry on your behalf. However, do not wait for them to act — call the IRS directly if your refund is significantly delayed.
If you need the money urgently, you have limited options. The IRS cannot speed up processing for individual returns except in cases of financial hardship. Some tax preparers offer refund advances or loans, but these come with fees and interest. Weigh the cost carefully before taking this route.
Paper returns versus electronic filing
If you have not filed yet, file electronically. Electronic returns are processed faster and are less likely to contain errors that trigger manual review. The IRS processes e-filed returns in batches and can identify problems more quickly than with paper returns.
If you have already filed a paper return and it has not been processed, you cannot withdraw it or refile electronically. You must wait for the IRS to process the paper return. Filing a second return electronically will create a duplicate and delay both returns.
If you are filing for the first time this year, use an electronic method. Free filing options are available through IRS Free File if your income is below a certain threshold, or through tax software if you prefer to file on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my refund faster if I call the IRS?
No. Calling the IRS will not speed up processing. The IRS cannot prioritize individual returns except in documented cases of financial hardship. Calling is useful only if there is a specific problem with your return — an error, a missing document, or a hold that is preventing processing.
What if my bank says my refund was deposited but I did not receive it?
Contact your bank first. Deposits can be delayed or routed to the wrong account if your routing number or account number was entered incorrectly on your return. Your bank can trace the deposit. If the bank confirms the IRS has not sent the money, use "Where's My Refund?" to check the status, then contact the IRS.
Do I have to wait for my refund or can I file an amended return?
Wait for your original return to be processed first. Filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) before the original is processed will create confusion and delay both returns. Once your original return is processed and accepted, you can file an amended return if you need to make changes.
Will I get interest if my refund is delayed?
The IRS does not pay interest on delayed refunds caused by processing backlogs. Interest is paid only on refunds that result from the IRS owing you money due to an error the agency made, and only after a certain time period has passed. Delays caused by staffing or volume do not trigger interest payments.
Is there a way to get my refund without waiting?
Some tax preparers and financial institutions offer refund advances or loans, but these charge fees or interest. The cost can range from $15 to $100 or more depending on the lender. If you need the money urgently, compare the cost of a loan against the cost of waiting, and consider whether a short-term loan from a friend or family member might be cheaper.