Tax Season 2025: When to Expect Your Refund and How to Track It
The 2025 tax season has officially begun, and the IRS is expecting around 140 million people to file their returns by the April 15 deadline. With a new online tool to track refunds and other updates, here’s everything you need to know about your tax return this year.
When Will I Receive My Refund?
If you file your tax return electronically, the IRS aims to issue refunds within 21 days or less. Opting for direct deposit can speed up this process even more. However, if you file a paper return, you may have to wait up to four weeks or more for your refund. In cases where your return requires amendments or corrections, it may take additional time.
While it’s tempting to plan around receiving your refund by a certain date, the IRS advises against relying on a specific timeline, especially if you’re making major purchases or planning to pay bills.
How to Check the Status of Your Refund
You can track your refund using the IRS online tool, Where’s My Refund?. This tool is updated once a day, overnight, and will show the status of your refund 24 hours after e-filing and generally within four weeks after mailing a paper return. To use the tool, you’ll need the following information:
- Your Social Security Number (or ITIN)
- Your filing status
- The refund amount listed on your return
How Do Refunds Work?
If you’ve overpaid taxes throughout the year—whether through withholding or other means—you’re eligible to receive a refund. Even if you didn’t pay more than you owe, you may still be eligible for a refund if you qualify for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit.
To claim your refund, you must file a tax return. Remember, you have three years to claim a tax refund, so don’t miss the opportunity if you qualify.
Do You Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
The EITC is available to individuals with low to moderate incomes. To qualify, you must have less than $11,600 in investment income and meet certain income thresholds based on your filing status. For instance:
- Single with no children: Income must be $18,591 or below.
- Married filing jointly with three or more children: Income must be $66,819 or below.
To see if you qualify, the IRS provides an online EITC Assistant tool, which can help determine eligibility based on your household’s income and number of dependents.
What About the Child Tax Credit?
If you have children, you’re likely eligible for the Child Tax Credit, which can be worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child. To qualify, your child must:
- Have a Social Security number
- Be under age 17 at the end of 2024
- Be claimed as a dependent on your tax return
You can receive the full Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if your income is below $200,000 ($400,000 for joint filers).
What’s New This Year?
The IRS has expanded its Direct File program, which allows taxpayers to file their taxes for free directly with the agency. Now available in 25 states (up from 12 last year), the program is designed for those with simple tax situations, such as those with only W-2 income. The program eliminates the need for commercial tax preparation software and has already helped taxpayers claim over $90 million in refunds for the 2024 tax year.
As tax season ramps up, keep these updates in mind and make sure you’re ready to file. Whether you’re expecting a refund or simply need help filing, these tools and updates can make the process smoother and easier.
