In September 2025, a large number of taxpayers in the United States are still receiving tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Yes, believe it or not, there are still people who are eligible to receive their tax refund checks (paper checks, for now, because they’re going away… We’ll get to that later).
This phenomenon occurs several months after the official close of the 2024 tax filing season, which concluded on April 15. The issuance of these payments at a later date is not truly a widespread event, but rather responds to a series of specific circumstances and normal procedures within the tax system. But what are these special cases?
IRS tax refunds still being sent this month
Every year, the tax refund process is activated annually at the end of January. For the 2024 tax season, the IRS began accepting returns on January 27, 2025. The agency states that for taxpayers who opt for electronic filing combined with direct deposit, the average processing time is less than 21 days.
However, this deadline is significantly extended for physical returns submitted by mail, which can require six weeks or more for initial processing. Another potential delay in filing tax refunds is the claim of certain refundable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), which are subject to legislative withholding.
The average tax refund to date
In case you didn’t know, federal regulations prohibit the IRS from issuing refunds that include these benefits before March 3, regardless of how early the return was filed.
The average IRS refund for this year is approximately $2,825, which is always a welcome cash boost for American families who use that money to make additional mortgage payments, credit card payments, personal savings, or just to treat themselves at the end of the year.
September still comes with IRS checks
Another group that will receive their tax refunds as late as September are those who requested an extension to file their tax return. This extension pushes the filing deadline to October 15.
This option, which is completely legal and acceptable, is frequently used by entrepreneurs, investors, and individuals with complex income structures who require more time to compile documentation, such as corporate K-1 forms. Historical IRS data indicates that between 20% and 25% of taxpayers use this mechanism each year.
Taxpayers who used their right to an extension and filed their full return during July or August are likely candidates to receive their refund in September. Considering the standard three-week processing cycle for electronic returns, a return submitted around August 15 would be scheduled for review and payment at the beginning of the current month. This schedule accounts for the arrival of direct deposits and checks during this period.
Other groups of taxpayers receiving late refunds
Among the other cases that the IRS considers causing a delay in tax refund payments are those who filed their tax returns using Form 1040-X. This document is used to correct errors in a previously filed return or to claim omitted credits.
Unlike the automated processing of original returns, amendments require manual review by IRS personnel, a procedure that can take three to four months to complete. Finally, taxpayers who filed amendments in April or May 2025, including those who claimed credits from prior years such as the Recovery Rebate Credit, are now within the likely period to receive their refunds.
Final groups to claim IRS tax refunds
Delays also stem from IRS reviews due to information discrepancies, calculation errors, omission of forms, or identity verification processes to prevent fraud, which add weeks or months to the process, as well as from offsets of outstanding debts with other government agencies.
Now, let’s wrap this article by remembering that the IRS is phasing out paper checks by September 30, 2025. This is due to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Get in touch with your local IRS office as soon as possible to make the change to a digital way to claim your next tax refund.
