The IRS alerted taxpayers to use the agency’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool for the 2025 filing season to track the status of their refunds and confirm that their returns have been received.
“It takes about four weeks for the same information to be available for those filing paper returns. The tool is available 24/7, and is a fast, easy way for taxpayers to get information about a refund without needing to call the IRS. The tool also allows taxpayers to access information about returns from tax years 2024, 2023, and 2022.”
“Where’s My Refund?” is updated by the IRS once every day, typically overnight. As such, taxpayers need not check their refund status several times a day for updates. The tool is accessible via the IRS2Go mobile app.
Individuals are required to submit their social security or individual taxpayer ID number, filing status, and the exact amount to check refund status. Most refunds are issued within 21 calendar days.
“The fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit as the delivery method. Taxpayers who do this typically get their refund in less than 21 days,” the IRS said.
The delivery timing can be impacted by several factors such as taxpayers filing an inaccurate or incomplete return, bank processing and posting times, and corrections to the Additional Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The IRS may sometimes require more information to process a return, in which case the agency will contact taxpayers by mail.
The deadline to file and pay taxes for tax year 2024 is April 15.
The “vague and confusing” notices list potential errors that taxpayers could have made without specifying the issue that resulted in a refund being reduced, according to the lawmakers.
Notices also do not inform taxpayers that they have 60 days to challenge the IRS’s position on the matter and how to challenge these notices, resulting in many Americans losing out on their right to contest agency adjustments. The legislation seeks to tackle the issue.
“If the IRS finds a mistake on a tax return, this agency should be required to clearly communicate that error to the taxpayer and explain why a tax refund is higher or lower than expected,” said Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), who introduced the bill in the House.
Refund Adjustments
In some cases, taxpayers may not get expected refunds due to adjustments made by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS).BFS is an agency that issues IRS tax refunds. It has the authority to carry out the Treasury Offset Program, through which BFS is able to reduce a taxpayer’s refund and offset it to pay off the individual’s past-due child support, state income tax obligations, federal agency nontax debts, or certain unemployment compensation debts owed to a state.
“You can contact the agency with which you have a debt to determine if your debt was submitted for a tax refund offset,” the IRS said.
“If your debt meets submission criteria for offset, BFS will reduce your refund as needed to pay off the debt you owe to the agency. Any portion of your remaining refund after offset is issued in a check or direct deposited as originally requested on the return.”
In the case of an offset, BFS will send the taxpayer a notice that lists the original refund amount, the offset amount, and other details.
The average refund amount is currently $2,169, almost a third lower than the $3,207 issued last year.
