Still haven’t filed your taxes for 2025? Not sure if you’re getting a refund? You’ll need to file soon.
According to IRS data, the bureau expects nearly 140 million Americans to file taxes. But when will that check or direct deposit arrive? Will there be delays?
Here is what you need to know about tax deadlines, how to check your refund status, and when to expect your return.
When is the last day to file taxes 2025?
The deadline to file taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Tax Day is the next business day if April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Americans residing overseas have an extended deadline of June 16, 2025 to file.
The IRS clarifies that the timestamp in your time zone when submitting your electronic return determines its timeliness. For those submitting paper returns, the IRS will consider them on time if they are correctly addressed, have sufficient postage, and are mailed and postmarked by the due date. For electronic filers, the deadline is 11:59 p.m. local time.
How to file an extension for taxes
Need more time? According to the IRS, there are three ways to get an extension to file your tax return.
I’m out of the country? Can I still get an extension?
You may get an automatic 2-month extension if you’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien on the regular due date of your tax return and living out of the country.
Where is my refund? How to check your tax return status
On the IRS.gov site, taxpayers who filed their returns can see their refund status on the “Where’s My Refund?” tool. To see the status, you must enter the following information:
- Your Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)
- Your filing status
- The exact refund amount on your return
Once the information is entered, you will see one of the following:
- Return Received – The IRS received your return and are processing it.
- Refund Approved – The IRS approved your refund and are preparing to issue it by the date shown.
- Refund Sent – The IRS sent the refund to your bank or you in the mail. It may take five days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail.
How long will it take for my refund to be deposited?
The timeline for your refund depends on how you filed the tax return.If you file electronically, your return is processed much faster than if you file a paper return and wait for a check. According to the IRS, most refunds are issued in less than three weeks.
The IRS advises taxpayers not to depend on receiving a refund by a specific date, particularly when making significant purchases or paying bills. Some returns may need further review, which could take more time.
Why is my refund delayed?
There is a bevy of reasons why a tax return gets delayed. Here are the most common reasons, as per the IRS:
- The return has errors, is incomplete, or is affected by identity theft or fraud.
- The return needs a correction to the child tax credit or recovery rebate credit amount.
- The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF.
- The time it takes a taxpayer’s bank or credit union to post the refund to the taxpayer’s account.
