If you’re here, it’s because you probably want to know when that tax refund you’ve been waiting for will arrive, or because the date you expected to receive your check from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) didn’t arrive, and you don’t know anything. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything you need to know to navigate this tax season without complications. We go in parts, without technicalities or long rolls.
The star of the show is the “Where’s My Refund tool?” from the IRS. It’s super easy to use and available on their website. You only need three pieces of information: Your Social Security number or ITIN (that identification number for taxpayers who do not have SSN), your marital status when filing (single, married, etc.), and the exact amount you expect to be returned to you.
Once you enter everything, the IRS tool will give you one of three options
“Statement received”: They already have your paperwork and are reviewing it to determine that everything is correct, that no documents are missing, and that no fraud has been committed.
“Refund approved”: Everything is in order, and they are preparing the payment. The date will be announced to you through the same platform or through the IRS2Go smartphone application.
“Refund sent”: Money is on the way. If it is by direct deposit, wait up to 5 business days; If it is a check by mail, be a little more patient because it may take longer… you already know that USPS times are much slower.
The tool is updated only once a day (usually in the early morning), so don’t overwhelm it by refreshing it every hour. And if you prefer something more mobile, download the IRS2Go app to check from your cell phone.
Why is my tax refund delayed? The most common reasons
If you filed your return online, you can expect the IRS to process everything in less than 21 days. But be careful: this is if everything is perfect. If you sent your return by traditional mail, be prepared to wait between 4 and 8 weeks. The IRS does not have a team of superheroes processing paperwork, so manual procedures take time… “we are human beings,” agency officials would say.
- Errors in the declaration: A misspelled number, a wrong calculation… Any detail can cause the IRS to ask you for corrections.
- Identity issues: If there was identity theft or suspected fraud, your case will go through further reviews.
- The bank is late: Even though the IRS sends the money, banks do not process deposits on weekends or holidays.
- Manual reviews: Sometimes the IRS needs to check something extra and sends you a letter. If you don’t respond quickly, the clock keeps ticking.
A sensitive issue that could cause delays is that the IRS laid off approximately 6,000 officials in February 2025, by order of DOGE “secretary” Elon Musk. This is part of a government plan to “streamline” things, but of course, less staff could mean slower. Although the former head of the IRS says there will be no chaos, experts like Michael Kaercher (from NYU) fear that this will affect, especially in cases that need manual review.
Of course, the IRS has not officially confirmed delays for this. The recommendation is simple: check the status of your refund every couple of days and pay attention to any letter or notification.
