How Long Does It Take To Get a Tax Refund? The Complete Guide

People who file their returns early will receive their refunds in 4 to 6 weeks, while people who file closer to the deadline might have to wait as long as 8 weeks. Other factors also affect the time it takes to receive a refund—e-filing your taxes is much faster than mailing in your return. You’ll get your refund even faster if you accept it via direct deposit. 

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about how long it takes to get your refund.

Key Takeaways

• Federal tax refunds can take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks to receive.
• Getting a refund starts with sending your return, the IRS approving it, and waiting for your refund to arrive via direct bank deposit or check.
• The fastest way to get your refund is to file your taxes online and choose direct deposit—paper filing and checks slow the process down.
• You can check the status of your refund with Where’s My Refund?, an online tool from the IRS.
• Information errors, miscalculations, missing information, outstanding government debts, and filing too close to the deadline can all lead to refund delays.
• The time it takes to receive a state refund varies, but most state tax authorities offer a tool similar to the IRS’s.
• Using accounting software to prepare your tax return can help you get a tax refund faster.

Table of Contents

• Where’s My Tax Refund?
• IRS Tax Refund Processing Timeline
• How to Check Your Tax Return Status
• Factors Affecting Tax Refund Processing Time
• How Long Does It Take To Get Federal Tax Refund?
• How Long Does It Take To Get a State Tax Refund?
• Tips to Speed Up Tax Refund Processing

Where’s My Tax Refund?

Once you’ve submitted your taxes and the IRS has accepted them, you’ll be waiting to hear news about receiving your refund. It takes a while for the IRS to process each tax return, so you’ll wait anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks to get a tax refund. Here are a few things to double-check while you wait:

• Return Acceptance: The first step for the IRS is to receive and accept your return. This process involves checking your information against their records. Usually, acceptance takes 24 to 48 hours when you file electronically. The IRS will send you a notification when it has accepted the return. If you don’t receive this within 48 hours, there might be an issue with your information.
• Approval From the IRS: The IRS processes and approves more than 90% of all tax returns within 3 weeks of filing, assuming you do it electronically. Ensure all information on your tax return is accurate, as any discrepancies between what you entered and the information on file with the IRS will cause delays. 
• Check the Refund Schedule: Each year, the IRS releases an approximate schedule telling you when to expect your refund. While these timelines aren’t guaranteed, they can provide a good idea of when you’ll get your money from the IRS during tax season.
• Check Direct Deposit Information: When you submit your return, ensure you’ve provided accurate, up-to-date direct bank deposit information to avoid delays in receiving your refund. If you’ve entered the correct information, the funds should be processed and in your bank account within a few days after the IRS accepts your return.
• Monitor your Refund Status: The IRS has a useful refund-checking tool to help you track your tax refund status. The tool updates information once a day and will tell you when your refund is received, approved, and sent.

IRS Tax Refund Processing Timeline

Generally, the IRS will accept your return 24 to 48 hours after you submit it. From here, the time it takes to get your refund will depend on the method of filing you used (electronic or by mail) and the process of receiving your refund that you chose (direct bank deposit or paper check).

Filing and payment method	Refund time
E-file and direct deposit	1–3 weeks
Paper file and direct deposit	3 weeks
E-file and check	1 month
Paper file and check	2 months

How to Check Your Tax Return Status

There are 2 ways to check the status of your tax return after filing electronically. You can either use the IRS’s online Where’s My Refund? tool, which is the faster option, or if you’ve waited longer than 4 months for your refund, call the IRS at 800-829-1954.

The online status tracker updates its information daily and offers a refund date once the IRS approves the return. You can start tracking the status of your return 24 hours after filing it. Generally, it will take 21 days or less to receive your refund. Remember that you should file your taxes electronically and receive your refund by direct bank deposit to get it as quickly as possible. 

Factors Affecting Tax Refund Processing Time

If you filed your taxes electronically, opted for direct bank deposit, and have waited for 3 weeks or longer without getting your refund, there are a few possible reasons for the delay:

• Errors: All the information you enter on your tax return, such as your name and Social Security number, must match the information on file with the IRS. Information errors can lead to delays. The same goes for miscalculations, which can cause delays in processing.
• Wrong Filing Status: Ensure you pick the correct filing status to prevent delays with your refund.
• Missing Information: Double-check your tax return before submitting it to ensure you didn’t forget to complete any critical sections. Missing information can easily delay your refund.
• Identity Theft: If your personal information, such as your Social Security number, has been compromised, it can lead to delays with your refund, as the IRS must verify your identity.
• High Activity at the IRS: The IRS is very busy close to the tax filing deadline, meaning returns submitted then will usually take longer to process. Consider filing early for a faster refund.
• High Activity at Your Bank: Sometimes, banks and credit unions have busy periods around tax season, leading to delays. High activity can slow down your refund when you choose direct deposit. 
• Debts: If you owe money to the government, such as past-due taxes, outstanding child support, or other debts, your refund will go to those debts first.

How Long Does It Take To Get Federal Tax Refund?

Depending on the method of filing and whether you want to receive your refund via direct deposit or a check, you can expect to wait anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks to get a tax refund. The fastest way is to file your taxes electronically and choose direct deposit. Assuming you didn’t make any errors, you’ll usually receive your refund within 21 days of the IRS approving your return.

If you mailed in your tax return and chose to get your refund as a check, it will take much longer to get your federal refund—as long as 8 weeks in some cases. If you submit your tax return electronically but choose a check or file by mail but choose direct deposit, you can expect to wait around 4 to 6 weeks to receive your federal refund.

How Long Does It Take To Get a State Tax Refund?

The time it takes to get state tax refunds will vary based on the filing and payment methods you choose, just like your federal refund. Also, some states typically take longer than others to process returns and send refunds. Because state-level departments and not the IRS manage state taxes, you might receive your state refund before or after your federal refund.

To check your state refund status, visit your state tax authority’s website and look for its version of the IRS’s Where’s My Refund? tool. Most state tax agencies offer a tool like this to help you track your refund status. You’ll need to enter some information to access it, including your Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), the relevant tax year, your exact refund amount, and possibly your date of birth.

Tips to Speed Up Tax Refund Processing

How do you ensure you get a tax refund as soon as possible? There are a few best practices to prevent delays and ensure you get your money faster:

File Early 

Many people wait until the last minute to submit their tax returns, leading to an increased workload on the part of the IRS. To avoid delays, file well before the tax deadline. Filing early ensures your return will be processed faster and will help you get your refund sooner.

Avoid Errors 

Any error in your personal information, filing status, or tax calculation can delay your refund. To get your refund as efficiently as possible, double-check every part of your tax return before submitting it.

File Electronically

E-filing your taxes is always faster than sending your return by mail. Plus, when you file electronically, you can check the status of your tax refund on the IRS website within 24 hours. 

Select Direct Deposit

Direct deposit into your bank account is always faster than receiving your refund by check. When you receive a check, it travels by mail, which can take days or weeks. Direct deposit usually takes just a couple of business days to reach your bank account.

Use Accounting Software

A great way to get a tax refund sooner is to do your return with the help of accounting software. One option is FreshBooks, which enhances the refund process thanks to automated financial record-keeping tools. These tools ensure accurate calculations throughout your tax return, helping you avoid delays caused by errors. Plus, FreshBooks enables you to keep your documents organized, making the filing process as quick and easy as possible. 

Thanks to its user-friendly interface, filing your income taxes is easier than ever with FreshBooks, helping you avoid errors, speeding up the submission process, and ultimately getting you a tax refund sooner. See the difference this tool can make for the upcoming tax season: Try FreshBooks for free!

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