The Internal Revenue Service’s refund process for fiscal year 2024, for returns filed in 2025, is a massive administrative procedure. Understanding the deadlines and how the agency’s calendar works allows taxpayers to plan ahead financially.
The 2025 tax return filing window opened on January 27, the date on which the IRS began receiving and processing returns for the previous fiscal year. The conventional filing and refund filing deadline was set for April 15, 2025.
However, jurisdictions such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina received an extension until May 1 due to weather-related disaster declarations. For taxpayers who requested an extension, the final filing date is October 15, 2025, provided that payment of past-due tax obligations is made by April 15 to avoid penalties.
The IRS tax refunds in 2025, still being sent
From a technical point of view, the issuance of refunds for the 2024 tax year does not have a specific expiration date within 2025, provided the returns are submitted within the authorized periods. The tax agency issues most refunds within 21 calendar days of accepting an electronically submitted return.
This mechanism allows refunds to begin being distributed starting in mid-February for taxpayers who filed early in the campaign. For physical returns submitted by mail, processing time may extend between four and eight weeks.
There is a crucial limitation in the timeline: April 15, 2025, was the final deadline for claiming refunds associated with the 2021 Recovery Rebound Credit. After that date, any unclaimed funds, including this credit, revert to the U.S. Treasury, with no possibility of appeal. This means that while regular tax refunds for 2024 can be claimed until 2028—three years after the original deadline—certain credits have much more restrictive and peremptory timelines.
The average tax refund from the IRS for the 2024 tax year, filed in 2025, is approximately $2,825. This amount varies depending on factors such as the taxpayer’s income, claimed deductions, tax credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit), and filing status.
Why could refunds might be delayed
Several factors can impact the length of the refund process. The filing method is critical: electronic returns with direct deposit are the fastest, with refunds awarded within one to three weeks. In contrast, paper filings with a postal check can take up to two months. Claiming certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, can cause delays until March.
These delays are caused by the additional audits the IRS implements to prevent fraud in these specific items. Similarly, the detection of errors in the return, such as erroneous or incomplete information, or the existence of prior debts with the agency, can significantly slow down the issuance of the refund or even reduce its final amount. Accurate information is critical for efficient processing.
Projected tax refund issuance schedule
The IRS has released an estimated schedule for 2025 refunds, based on the return’s acceptance date. For a return accepted on January 27, a direct deposit is expected around February 17, while a mailed check would be issued around March 28. For a return accepted by the April 15 deadline, direct deposit is projected for May 6, and a mailed check for June 16.
For taxpayers who use the extension and file by October 15, the estimated dates are November 5 for direct deposit and November 24 for physical checks. Refunds for late-filed or extended returns may extend into late 2025 or even early 2026, depending on the agency’s workload. Filing during the peak tax period, from mid-March to April, frequently causes delays due to the high volume of returns received.
