NEW YORK — It’s that time of year again—tax filing season has begun, and the IRS anticipates around 164 million people will file their returns by April 15.
Last year, the average refund was approximately $3,167. Analysts suggest it could increase by about $1,000 this time around, thanks to updates in tax laws. In the previous year, more than 165 million individual income tax returns were processed, with 94% filed electronically.
If you’re filing simple returns, you likely won’t face many delays. However, the IRS has experienced staff shortages since the Trump administration, which has resulted in some hold-ups. The National Taxpayer Advocate has pointed out that filing can be especially tricky for those who run into issues.
Last year, many IRS employees couldn’t accept retirement offers due to rules put in place until after the tax deadline, so a significant number of customer service representatives have since retired. The IRS started with about 102,000 employees but has now dropped to around 74,000 following a series of layoffs.
Here’s what you might find useful:
When will I get my refund?
If you file electronically, the IRS suggests that the process will take up to 21 days. However, if you opt for direct deposit, it may take a bit longer. For paper returns, expect delays that could extend beyond four weeks, especially if your return needs corrections.
The IRS advises against counting on your refund arriving by a specific date, particularly if you have upcoming bills to pay or large purchases planned.
How can I check my refund status?
This tool is updated once daily, so you may need your Social Security Number or ITIN to access it. Additionally, you can check your refund status through the IRS2Go app or the IRS Personal Online Account.
Understanding tax refunds
If you’ve paid more taxes than you owe throughout the year, you should expect a refund. Even if you haven’t overpaid, you may qualify for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit. Don’t forget, you’ll need to file a tax return to get your refund, and you have three years to claim it.
Who qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit?
To be eligible for the EITC, your investment income must be under $11,950, and your work income should be below a specific threshold. For single filers without children, that threshold is $19,104. If you’re married and filing jointly with three or more kids, your income must be $68,675 or less. You can use the Online EITC assistant tool to check if you qualify based on your family situation.
Child tax credit eligibility
If you have children, you’re likely eligible for the child tax credit, which can be up to $2,200 per qualifying child. To qualify, your child must:
- Have a Social Security number
- Be under 17 at the end of 2025
- Be your biological, step, or eligible foster child, or a related child
- Not provide more than half of their own support during the tax year
- Have lived with you for more than half the year
- Be claimed as a dependent on your return
- Not file jointly (or only file to claim a refund)
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
If you meet these criteria and your income is $200,000 or less (or $400,000 if filing jointly), you should qualify for the full credit for each eligible child. Moreover, if you have low or no federal income tax owed, you might also qualify for an additional child tax credit.
When will the tax credits be available?
The IRS expects that most EITC, Child Tax Credit, and Supplemental Child Tax Credit refunds will be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 2 for those who choose direct deposit. Some might even get their refunds sooner, depending on their bank.
What’s new this year?
This year, many taxpayers will need to provide their routing and account numbers for direct deposit refunds, as the IRS gradually phases out paper checks following a recent executive order.
