Federal Tax Refund Delivery Time
Are you wondering how long it takes for the IRS to issue federal tax refunds? The answer depends on how you filed your tax return (electronically or by mail) and how you choose to receive your refund (bank deposit or check by mail). You can see the different time tables for tax refund delivery time in the table below.
| Tax Refund Delivery Type |
Tax Refund Delivery Time |
| E-file and direct deposit |
1–3 weeks (usually 2 weeks) |
| Paper file by mail and direct deposit |
3 weeks |
| E-file and tax refund check by mail |
6–8 weeks |
| Paper file by mail and tax refund check by mail |
6–8 weeks |
2021 IRS Refund Schedule Chart
Are you wondering what date you should receive your federal tax refund? The IRS issues over 90% of tax refunds in less than 21 days after the tax returns are processed. The IRS has currently not released an official tax refund calendar for the 2021 tax season (2020 tax year). Still, based on statements from the IRS and trends over past years, the estimates in the following chart should be accurate for the vast majority of taxpayers (see exceptions below).
|
Date Return Filed
|
Date Direct Deposit Sent
|
Date Paper Check Mailed
|
|
February 12–13, 2021
|
February 26, 2021
|
March 5, 2021
|
|
February 14–20
|
March 5
|
March 12
|
|
February 21–27
|
March 12
|
March 19
|
|
February 28–March 6
|
March 19
|
April 26
|
|
March 7–13
|
March 26
|
April 2
|
|
March 14–20
|
April 2
|
April 9
|
|
March 21–27
|
April 91
|
April 161
|
|
March 28–April 3
|
April 161
|
April 231
|
|
April 4–10
|
April 231
|
April 301
|
|
April 11–17
|
April 301
|
May 71
|
|
April 18–24
|
May 7
|
May 14
|
|
April 25–May 1
|
May 14
|
May 21
|
|
May 2–8
|
May 21
|
May 28
|
|
May 9–15
|
May 281
|
June 41
|
|
May 16–22
|
June 4
|
June 11
|
|
May 23–29
|
June 11
|
June 18
|
|
May 30–June 5
|
June 18
|
June 25
|
|
June 6–12
|
June 25
|
July 2
|
|
June 13–19
|
July 2
|
July 9
|
|
June 20–26
|
July 9
|
July 16
|
|
June 27–July 3
|
July 16
|
July 23
|
|
July 4–July 10
|
July 23
|
July 30
|
|
July 11–17
|
July 30
|
August 6
|
|
July 18–24
|
August 6
|
August 13
|
|
July 25–31
|
August 13
|
August 20
|
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Tracking Your 2021 Tax Refund
The IRS has provided two free tools for taxpayers to track the status of their 2021 tax refund:
To check the status of your tax refund using either of these tools, you will need:
To use the online Where's My Refund tool, you will need to enter your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and refund amount. If you entered the information correctly, the tool should take you to a page showing the status of your tax refund. If it shows an error, you may be prompted to verify your information and to try again. If the information you entered was correct, it will ask you to enter the date you filed your taxes and whether you filed electronically or by mail.
The IRS2Go mobile app works in a similar way and requires the same information as the online tool. The data used by the mobile app is only updated once every 24 hours, so if you don't initially see a change in your return's status, check again the next day.
Taxpayers should be able to see their tax return status within 24 hours if they filed their tax return electronically. If they submit their tax return by mail, it may take up to four weeks to see their refund status.
Tax Return Status: Received, Approved, Sent
Both the online and mobile tax refund status tools use the same three messages to show your tax refund status:
- Received: The IRS has your tax return and is processing it.
- Approved: The IRS has approved your tax return and confirmed the amount of your tax refund (if a refund is warranted).
- Sent: Your refund has been sent using the method you specified, whether electronically to your bank or as a check in the mail.
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Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) & Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)
In accordance with the PATH Act, taxpayers whose tax returns include an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) are not allowed to receive their federal tax refunds before February 15, regardless of how early they file their tax return with the IRS.
This year, most taxpayers with EITC and/or ACTC credits who filed during the first week of tax season should have received their refund during the first week of March (likely March 5, 2021). However, this only applies to taxpayers who filed their tax return electronically, chose to receive their refund by direct deposit, and the IRS found no other issues with their tax return. The IRS noted this would be the same experience for taxpayers if the filing season had opened in late January.
If the taxpayer did not file their tax return early and they have EITC or ACTC credits, their tax refund could be delayed 2–3 weeks longer due to the law requiring the IRS to verify taxpayers’ qualifications for these credits. For example, if they filed their tax return within the week of March (March 7–March 13), their tax refund may not arrive until April 9, 2021, even though the calendar in this article gives an expected return date of March 26, 2021.
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New Credits, Deductions, and Refunds in 2021
For the 2021 tax season, the IRS has noted these new key items for taxpayers to consider involving credits, deductions, and refunds:
Economic Impact Payment/Recovery Rebate Credit
Taxpayers who received an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus payment) should keep their 2020 Economic Impact Payment Notice 1444 with their 2020 tax records. Even if they received their Economic Impact Payment by direct deposit, the IRS would have mailed their Notice 1444 record within 15 days of the payment going out.
To be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2020 federal income tax return, taxpayers must have either 1) not received an Economic Impact Payment; or 2) received an Economic Impact Payment of less than $1,200 ($2,400 if married filing jointly).
Interest on Refunds Taxable
Taxpayers who received a federal tax refund in 2020 may have been paid interest. Refund interest payments are taxable, and taxpayers must report them on federal income tax returns. In January 2021, the IRS sent Form 1099-INT to anyone who received interest totaling $10 or more.
Charitable Deduction Changes
New for the 2021 tax season, taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions may take a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made in 2020 to qualifying charity organizations. For more information about charitable deductions, taxpayers can refer to the IRS resource Publication 526, Charitable Contributions.
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How to Get Your Tax Refund as Fast as Possible
If you want your tax refund as soon as possible, you are far from alone. Here's what taxpayers can do to ensure they receive their tax refund as quickly as possible.
Request Direct Deposit
According to the IRS, the best and fastest way to receive your tax refund is to opt for direct deposit into your bank account. The IRS allows your tax refund to be deposited into one account or split between separate accounts.
Mistakes on tax returns are the biggest slow-down in receiving tax refunds. You can ensure your tax return and refund are processed quickly by double or triple checking the information on your tax return before you file.
Here are some questions you can ask while double checking your tax return information:
- Did you review the identifying numbers (SSN or ITIN) for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents?
- Is the information for your dependents correct?
- Did you Check to make sure your routing and account number are accurate for direct deposit?
- Did you electronically sign your tax return?
File Your Tax Return Electronically
The IRS says combining direct deposit with electronic filing is the quickest way to get your tax refund. Over 90% of tax refunds are issued in less than 21 days.
If your adjusted gross income is less than $72,000, you can file your tax return electronically for free using the IRS Free File Program. Otherwise you will need a the assistance of tax software or a tax professional. Tax software can also flag any errors or mistakes on your tax return ahead of time.
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Winter Storm Tax Filing Extensions (TX/OK/LA)
The tax deadline for taxpayers in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana has been extended to June 15, 2021, due to the severe winter storms which occurred in February 2021. Individuals and households in all 254 Texas counties, all 77 Oklahoma counties, and all 64 Louisiana parishes qualify for the deadline extension to submit tax returns and make tax payments.
The total list of eligible localities is available on the disaster relief page on the IRS website. Taxpayers in states other than Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana who were impacted by these winter storms can also request the same filing and payment relief.
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2021 Tax Refund Frequently Asked Questions
When did the 2021 tax season start?
The 2021 tax season began on February 12, 2021. This is later than in past years. In their announcement, the IRS stated the February 12 start date “allowed the IRS time to do additional programming and testing of IRS systems following the December 27 tax law changes that provided a second round of Economic Impact Payments and other benefits.”
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When can I begin filing my 2021 taxes?
You can file your taxes now. The 2021 tax season began on February 12, 2021. Taxpayers around the country may now begin filing their tax returns at their convenience. It’s recommended you file your taxes electronically rather than through the mail to avoid any delays in receiving your tax refund.
This tax season, taxpayers did not have to wait until February 12 to begin filing their taxes. Taxpayers could start filing their tax returns using a trusted tax professional or an IRS Free File partner. These groups began accepting tax returns early and transmitted the returns to the IRS after the tax season began on February 12.
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Is the tax filing deadline extended for Texas residents?
Due to the February 2021 winter storms, the deadline for residents of Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma to file individual and business tax returns and make tax payments has been extended to June 15, 2021.
The tax deadline for the majority of Americans has been extended to May 17, 2021. For more information, see the winter storm tax filing extension section above.
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Is the tax filing deadline extended for Louisiana residents?
Due to the February 2021 winter storms, the deadline for residents of Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma to file individual and business tax returns and make tax payments has been extended to June 15, 2021.
The tax deadline for the majority of Americans has been extended to May 17, 2021. For more information, see the winter storm tax filing extension section above.
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Is the tax filing deadline extended for Oklahoma residents?
Due to the February 2021 winter storms, the deadline for residents of Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma to file individual and business tax returns and make tax payments has been extended to June 15, 2021.
The tax deadline for the majority of Americans has been extended to May 17, 2021. For more information, see the winter tax filing extension section above.
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Will COVID-19 delay 2021 tax refunds?
It’s possible COVID-19 may delay some federal tax refunds. The IRS is noting that the coronavirus epidemic is causing longer processing times for mailed documents, including paper tax returns and tax return-related correspondence.
If taxpayers file their federal tax return by mail, it may take a more extended period of time for their tax return to be processed. However, once the IRS processes their income tax return, they should send out the taxpayers’ tax refund within the estimated three-week period.
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How should I request to receive my tax refund?
When you request your tax refund, the IRS gives you a few options of how to receive it:
- Paper check (mailed to your home)
- Direct deposit to your bank
- Deposit into U.S. Savings Bonds
- Apply refund towards any future tax owed
Direct deposit is the quickest and safest way to receive your tax refund, and direct deposit is the method encouraged by the IRS. You can receive your refund via an ACH bank transaction sometimes within a couple days. On the other hand, paper checks take a much longer period to be processed and travel through the mail, not to mention the amount of time it may take your bank to clear the check.
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How can I check the status of my tax refund?
To check the status of your tax refund, the IRS has provided a free Where’s My Refund? tool on the IRS website where. You will need to enter your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and refund amount. If you entered the information correctly, the tool should take you to a page showing the status of your tax refund. If it shows an error, you may be prompted to verify your information and to try again. If the information you entered was correct, it will ask you to enter the date you filed your taxes and whether you filed electronically or by mail.
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Why haven't I received my tax refund?
If you haven't received your tax refund after 21 days, your tax refund may have been delayed or there may be a problem with your tax return.
Your tax return may need to be reviewed if any information on your return was incorrect or incomplete. If the IRS needs additional information in order to process your return, the IRS should send you instructions through the mail.
Your tax refund may have been delayed even if there were no problems with your tax return. For example, if you claimed an Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), your tax refund could be delayed up to three weeks. Also note that if your tax return was submitted by mail, you may not receive your tax refund for six weeks if you chose to receive your refund by paper check.
If you haven't received your tax refund, you should use the online Where's My Refund tool to check the status of your tax return. See the section above about tracking your tax refund for more information.
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Tax CPE Courses from WebCE
WebCE wants tax professionals and taxpayers to have the most up-to-date information during tax season. Tax professionals are encouraged to order tax continuing professional education (CPE) courses so you’ll be completely prepared for the 2021 tax season and able to help your clients to the best of your ability.
Tax CPE Course Catalog