We are approaching the last days of the 2025 tax season, which officially closes on April 15 (not counting the extensions that may be granted exceptionally to some taxpayers), and millions of Americans are waiting for their tax refunds, some of which seem to take longer than they would like.
Wait, it’s not necessarily a “bad” thing that your tax refund is late, but there must be some reason why the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is taking longer than usual. Waiting for a refund from the IRS can be like watching water boil: the more you need it, the slower it seems to move. But don’t worry, it’s not always fate’s fault. Sometimes, it is technical details that bog down the process. The good news? Many of these pitfalls have a solution if you know where to look.
The most common reasons that delay your tax refund
Let’s start with the basics. Errors in your statement are the classic “invisible enemy.” A misspelled Social Security number, calculations that don’t add up, or missing documents can send your procedure to the limbo of manual reviews. And yes, as retro as it may sound, the IRS still relies on humans to sort out these messes, which adds up to extra days (or weeks).
Did you know that claiming credits like the EITC or ACTC tax credits can put a pause on your money? These benefits are useful, but the IRS reviews them closely to avoid fraud. If there are inconsistencies, be prepared to wait up to six months. The same thing happens if there are suspicions of identity theft: there the agency freezes everything until it confirms that it is you who is requesting the refund.
Another detail that many overlook: problems with direct deposit. One wrong digit in your bank account can send your money elsewhere or back to the IRS. Worse yet, if you have outstanding debts (back taxes, student loans, etc), the law allows your refund to be used to pay off those obligations before they reach you.
And don’t underestimate the potential danger of procrastination: If you didn’t file returns from previous years, the IRS can hold your current refund until you get your situation back on track. The same applies in peak seasons, like April, when the volume of procedures overwhelms the systems and millions wait until the last few days to send their tax returns.
What can you do to unblock the process? The IRS recommends these actions
First, stay calm and review your statement as if it were a final exam. Check numbers, add each calculation twice, and be sure to attach all forms. A tip? Using software like TurboTax or H&R Block reduces common errors, but you still go over everything before submitting.
If you have already filed and the money has not arrived, go to the Where is my refund tool? on the IRS site. There you will see if there are specific alerts, such as requests for additional documents. If they ask you for something, respond quickly: every day of delay translates into more waiting.
When the problem is more serious (and you need the money now), call 1-877-777-4778, explain your urgency (such as a medical expense or risk of eviction) and they can determine if there is a way to expedite the process. Of course, have all your documents at hand to expedite help.
What if the error was the IRS’s? Although it is rare, it happens. If it’s been more than 21 days since your electronic return was accepted, contact the agency directly. Persistence (and a little patience) usually changes everything here.
