Why Is My Tax Refund Delayed? Causes, Timelines, and What to Do?

You filed your tax return online three weeks ago, but the money still isn't in your account. You've checked the Where's My Refund tool more times than you can count.

Most refunds arrive within 21 days. If yours hasn't come yet, it's usually due to one of six reasons: a mid-February credit hold, a return error, a rejected direct deposit, a refund offset, an identity review, or filing on paper. Keep reading to identify your situation, and you'll know what to do next to track down a refund. However, it is still just as important that you minimize potential errors in your return that could cause IRS refund delays or account for misplaced refunds.

How Long Should Your Refund Take?

The IRS processes 9 out of 10 tax refunds within 21 days or less. If you're within this timeframe, please wait the full 21 days before assuming there is an issue. Additionally, the method you used to file your taxes may impact the typical refund times. Please refer to the table below to see how the filing method affects the duration of your refund.

Did You Double-Check Your Tax Return for Errors?

If you choose to receive a paper check for your tax refund, it is crucial to double-check the mailing address provided in your tax return. Missing information or an incorrect address may delay your tax refund check.

The direct deposit system enables taxpayers to avoid delays in receiving their tax refunds, eliminating the need to travel to their bank to make a deposit. This system has significantly increased the speed with which you can receive your money; however, it also introduces additional opportunities for errors.

The most common cause of delays with direct deposits is inaccuracies in bank routing information or account numbers. If you choose to use direct deposit, it is essential to ensure that this information is entered correctly.

Can You Split Your Tax Refund?

When taxpayers receive a refund from the IRS, they have the option to “split” any portion of it. They can divide their refund into separate amounts and deposit the money into more than one account or financial institution.

Refunds can be split into as many as three banks or financial institutions within the United States by using Form 8888, Allocation of Refund.

Using an Allocation of Refund allows taxpayers to deposit into a checking account, savings account, IRA, health savings account, and education savings accounts. Each deposit has to be at least $1.

Make sure to list a safe, stable account last. If an earlier deposit is rejected, that's where the IRS sends the balance.

You can no longer buy savings bonds with your refund. Treasury discontinued the paper Series I bond option, and the option to route a refund into a TreasuryDirect account, effective January 1, 2025. Those fields were removed from the form. If you want I bonds, buy them electronically through TreasuryDirect instead.

Please note: Starting September 30, 2025, under Executive Order 14247, the IRS will stop sending paper refund checks for individual taxpayers. Your tax refund will be sent electronically by default. However, there are a few exceptions for people facing hardship or specific situations.

Direct Deposit Issues That Cause Tax Refund Delays

If there are any problems with your direct deposit, then a paper check will be issued. This can occur if any of the following circumstances apply:

• You have requested to put a joint refund in an individual account, and your financial institution does not allow that action.
• The name on the return does not match the name on the account in which you would like to make the deposit.
• There have already been three direct deposits for tax refunds delivered to the same account in one tax year.
• The account number is invalid.
• You have filed your tax return after the end of the following year.

The IRS now sends a notice called CP53E by mail if your tax return shows a refund but has invalid, missing, or rejected bank information. They will also send this notice if they correct a return that originally showed a balance due, and it now results in a refund.

This can happen if you had unreported estimated payments or if there were math errors such as mistakes in addition or subtraction. Please make sure your information is accurate to avoid any issues with your refund.

Filing has certainly gotten much simpler in recent years. Deciding on how you would like to receive your refund, with all the options that are now available, may not be as simple.

See the following for information on the standard IRS refund times you can expect this year.

Can a Refund Offset Cause Tax Return Delays

Your refund may be reduced or entirely offset to cover any debts you owe. The IRS will apply your refund to any outstanding federal taxes from previous years first. Additionally, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service can also withhold your refund for various reasons.

This includes past-due child support, spousal support, unemployment debts, federal non-tax debts like defaulted student loans, or state income tax debts.

If your refund has been offset, you will receive a notice from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, not the IRS, explaining the reason for the offset. If your refund is smaller than you expected, it is likely due to a reduction for these debts rather than a delay in receiving it.

Is my tax refund being held if I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit?

This is a common reason why a refund looks stuck. There isn't a problem with your filing. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required to hold your refund until mid-February. This was set by the PATH Act to allow the IRS to verify income.

See our PATH Act refund hold explainer for the current-season release dates, and check the IRS's guide on an EITC or ACTC refund hold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I haven't received my tax refund after e-filing for more than 21 days?

The IRS aims to issue refunds quickly, but processing may take longer in some cases. If it's been over 21 days since your e-filed return was accepted, your refund might be delayed due to an error. Check your refund status using the IRS' Where's My Refund tool, and if needed, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Please note: The IRS may notify you of any additional processing time via USPS mail.