Where is my tax refund? – NPR

The IRS began accepting tax returns on January 27th. By the federal deadline of April 15, the agency expects to receive more than 140 million personal tax returns. This means millions of people ask one question.

Approximately 28% of the 11.7 million returns processed by the IRS resulted in direct deposit refunds in the first week of filing. According to the IRS.

When the current application season began, “The IRS was in a strong position, which is good for taxpayers,” said Janet Holtzblatt, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, to NPR. He tells NPR, citing the agency's recent investment in customer service. .

Of course, many federal agencies are now caught up in the Trump administration's controversial goal of reducing staff and eliminating programs (more details below).

Here's a quick guide to navigating the 2025 tax return season:

Check the status of your tax return

If you are about to submit or have already done so, you can track the progress of your return for the 2024 tax year online. The IRS has its own Where is the refund page? This will display the status of your tax return approximately 24 hours after filed electronically.

In Check the status of your refundthe IRS needs to know the “exact dollar refund amount shown on your tax return,” so make sure you have it on hand.

The tracking tool helps you follow returns that go through three major phases. If the refund is approved (and the expected date for the matter). Confirm that a refund has been sent.

The refund should be made within 3 weeks

The IRS states that most refunds will be issued within 21 days of the filing date. As in recent years, the IRS recommends submitting electronically and using direct deposits to obtain refunds more quickly.

However, if you submit early and are looking for refunds related to two situations (earned income tax credits and additional child tax credits), you may need to wait a little longer. This means that the IRS will only accept these refunds. Because it can be issued From mid-February onwardsunder the requirements of the Pass Act of 2015.

Delay was an effort to prevent or limit identity fraud,” Holtzblatt tells NPR.

In such cases, she said, “Refunds will not begin to be paid until after February 15th.

Millions of people can apply online for free

Phone users will look up information about the IRS Direct File Program at the IRS Building in Washington, DC last April. Free tax return services are now growing to 25 states.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project

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Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Security Project

The free direct file system has expanded from pilot programs in 12 states last year. 25 participating states this year. It is aimed at people with relatively simple tax returns.

“When they piloted, they found that the majority of people who used it and finished it were very pleased,” Holtzblatt said of the tools on the IRS website.

Expansion of the program is a “big step for the IRS and taxpayers,” Holtzblatt said.

Direct files are available in several large states, including New York, Texas, Florida and California. However, filers in other states and District of Columbia are unlucky (but All 50 states were invited to participate).

There are also limits on the type and amount of income you can report. For example, direct files cannot handle gig work or rental income. Additionally, a single filer's wage cannot exceed $200,000.

You can check your eligibility here.

The IRS faces change

The IRS received the much-anticipated relief in 2022 in the form of $80 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act and $80 billion from regular spending. The money follows years of reports that government agencies have suffered a shortage of funds and a shortage of staff. In particular, it aims to enable agents to update their computer systems, boost customer service and improve tax enforcement.

A 2021 survey found that the US government missed the surroundings $600 billion unpaid tax Every year. The IRS was also reporting increased backlogs of long phone wait times and outstanding returns.

When the IRS got their first infusion of money in 2022, “they went out quickly and hired about 5,000 new people who could help taxpayers,” says Holtzblatt. “They are there to make filing season smoother.”

But Congress took back some $40 billion in IRS funds – First was a budget contract in 2023, and again in December.

“The IRS spending shortage is likely to continue and could increase,” Holtzblatt said, adding that a freeze in recruitment would also hinder agents.

Regarding direct files, the IRS says the program is permanent. But that fate became cloudy earlier this month with Elon Musk, the billionaire head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He tweeted that he “deleted” the agency It worked with an online tool.