Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refunds in May 2025 will primarily go to taxpayers who filed returns early and chose check by mail. Those who filed between May 12 and 19 would receive payments around May 30. Direct deposits are faster, while postal checks may take an additional week.
Returns accepted by the IRS on March 31 could receive checks in the mail by May 30. The federal agency indicates that direct deposits submitted on May 19 would arrive on May 30, and postal checks submitted on May 12, that same date.
Why is my tax refund taking so long?
The 2025 tax season began on January 27, with a deadline of April 15. Declarations with credits such as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) may be delayed until mid-February. Presentations in March-April face delays due to high demand, affecting the arrival of refunds in May.
The average refund amount in 2025 is $3,116, up 3.5% from 2024, according to IRS data through April 4. This figure varies by state and tax situation. The increase reflects adjustments for inflation and changes in credits such as the EITC or ACTC.
They would receive their tax refunds in the coming days
Taxpayers with returns accepted between May 12 and 19 will receive refunds around May 30. Those who used direct deposit (submitted on May 19) will have funds that day. Those who chose a check by mail (submitted on May 12) will receive payment on the same estimated date.
We tried to get additional information from the IRS, regarding stimulus or quarterly estimates, scheduled for May, but the agency is usually very cautious about this. Regular refunds are the only planned move. This confirms that the funds received in May correspond exclusively to 2024 declarations processed in 2025.
The IRS prioritizes direct deposits for speed, with deadlines of 10-21 days after accepting the return. Postal checks add an additional 5-7 days. Declarations sent in April or early May, with physical methods, explain the concentration of payments in the last week of May.
Taxpayers who opted for a check by mail in April-May must wait until May 30 to receive refunds. Those who used direct deposit on the same dates would get funds sooner, although submissions after May 19 could extend into June.
As of April 5 (the most recent data), the IRS has provided more than 64.7 million direct deposits, ranging from $3,116 to $3,186, and in total $206.255 billion has been distributed.
What to do if your tax refund doesn’t arrive on time
If your IRS tax refund check hasn’t arrived within 21 days (for direct deposit) or 6 weeks (for mailed checks), first use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS website or IRS2Go app to track its status. If it shows “issued” but you haven’t received it, request a payment trace by calling the IRS at 800-829-1954 (direct deposit) or 800-829-1040 (mailed checks).
For lost or stolen checks, submit Form 3911 (“Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund”) to initiate a replacement. Keep records of your original filing and any IRS correspondence. Delays may occur due to errors, fraud holds, or mailing issues, but the IRS can reissue missing payments.
