Tax season officially started last week and American taxpayers are about to receive it tax refunds will likely see them appear on their bills within a few weeks, depending on how they filed their returns.
The tax authorities announced that January 26 was the official start of tax filing season, allowing taxpayers to file their returns for the 2025 tax year. Taxpayers who paid more tax than they owed during the tax year will receive a refund.
In announcing the start of tax filing season, the IRS noted that most refunds are issued within three weeks of a taxpayer filing their return — although there are exceptions.
“While the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, some returns require additional review and may take longer,” the IRS said in its announcement.
TAX RETURN SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
IRS CEO and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano said Americans will get their tax refunds on time despite a partial government shutdown. (Juanmonino via Getty Images)
The IRS website states that processing a tax refund typically takes 21 days electronically filed returnswhile mailed returns can take six weeks or more to reach taxpayers. Refunds may also take longer if the return requires corrections or additional review.
Taxpayers preparing to file their returns should consider setting this up direct deposit with the IRS if they want to receive their refund sooner.
The IRS also began phasing out paper checks last fall, but will still send paper checks if no alternative is available to taxpayers. Options available to unbanked taxpayers include prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, or other limited exceptions.
Most taxpayers are already receiving refunds via direct deposit. In the 2025 tax filing season, 93% of the 93.5 million refunds on individual tax returns were paid out to taxpayers via direct deposit.
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The Trump administration expects the largest tax refund cycle “in history” this spring of 2026. (Getty Images)
The IRS offers an online “Where is my refund?tool that allows taxpayers to check the status of their tax refund.
Taxpayers who file their returns electronically can usually see the status of their refund within 24 hours via the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, which can provide refund information not only for the current year, but also for the past two years.
If a taxpayer needs to amend their return after filing, it may take longer to receive their tax return. Amended returns can take up to three weeks to appear in the IRS system and up to 16 weeks to be processed.
The tax authorities also offer a “Where is my amended tax return?” tool for taxpayers who have filed an amended return and want to track the status of their filing and any associated refund.
The IRS CEO is weighing in on whether a potential shutdown will affect refund checks
Taxpayers who file their returns electronically may receive their refund checks sooner than those who mail their returns. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
A partial one government shutdown which began Feb. 1 could affect when taxpayers receive their refunds — though lawmakers have expressed optimism that it could end as early as Tuesday.
During the previous government shutdown, which was the longest in history at 43 days and lasted from October to mid-November last year, the IRS noted that it generally cannot issue refunds except in one specific circumstance.
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“Tax refunds generally will not be paid during this period, with one important exception. For taxpayers filing a Form 1040, refunds will continue to be paid on electronically filed, error-free returns that can be automatically processed and deposited immediately,” the IRS wrote in October.
