When will IRS accept tax returns?
You might be worried about how long it will take to get your money back if you filed your taxes early this year and are due one. According to the IRS, refunds usually arrive within 21 days of receiving an accurate and complete return that has been electronically filed and has chosen direct deposit.
January 23
On January 23, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting tax returns for 2025 – marking the start of a brand-new year. They anticipate receiving 168 million returns this year, up 4 million from last year.
This week, the government officially declared the start date of the 2025 tax season. However, some taxpayers may already have submitted their returns through software providers and tax professionals ahead of time. Furthermore, the IRS offers a HUB testing program that permits some people to file their returns before this official start date for the year.
This test allows the IRS to gain insight into their systems before they open them to all taxpayers, and it helps them resolve bugs in the system before it goes live for everyone else.
The IRS strongly suggests filing your taxes electronically, as it is the fastest and most secure way to receive your refund. When you e-file, you also receive confirmation that the IRS has received and processed your return.
February 18
If you file electronically, the IRS should send you a confirmation date that they have accepted your return. That date can be found in the left column to estimate when you may expect to receive your tax refund.
Paper returns, however, take longer to process as IRS employees must manually enter them. That means you may have to wait up to three weeks for your return to be processed and your refund deposited into your account.
The IRS strongly urges people to file electronically with the direct deposit immediately. This can expedite their refunds and minimize delays caused by weather-related mail delivery issues.
For 2025, the IRS strives to enhance customer service by hiring more than 5,000 new telephone assistants and increasing in-person staff. According to the agency, call volume has fallen 13.4% compared to last year.
March 18
According to the IRS, electronic tax filing and direct deposit allow quick refund processing – typically taking 21 days. On the contrary, paper filing without direct deposit may take longer.
Individual income tax returns (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) are usually due April 18. This year, April 15 falls on a weekday but isn’t considered a federal holiday due to Washington, D.C.’s Emancipation Day; thus, the deadline falls on Tuesday, April 18.
If you miss the deadline, don’t fret. You can still receive assistance filing your return, and the IRS even offers payment plans so that you can pay off your taxes in installments.
April 18
Tax season can be hectic, with taxpayers eager to get their returns in before the IRS closes its doors. But filing late can cost money, so you must submit your returns on schedule.
According to the IRS, you should receive your refund within 21 days of filing your return. However, refunds for taxpayers with certain credits may take longer to process.
Before issuing a refund, payments made for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) must be confirmed.
If you want to expedite the process, the IRS suggests filing your taxes electronically and opting for direct deposit. That way, your refund can be deposited directly into either your bank account or prepaid debit card, according to the IRS.
The IRS strongly suggests filing your return as soon as you have all necessary documents, such as your W-2 and any other information from your employer. Doing this helps guard against criminals accessing your refund check in the future.
