The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to process and distribute tax refunds for the 2025 filing season during the month of June. Several taxpayer groups are awaiting receipt of these funds. The agency is working within its established operational timelines, but there are challenges due to personnel layoffs and funds cuts.
Several factors influence the exact timing of taxpayers’ refunds. The method of filing and payment chosen will definitely define if your refund will arrive earlier or later. IRS workload also affects final processing times.
Late-filers could expect their tax refunds in a matter of days
Taxpayers who filed their returns after the regular April 15 deadline are included in this group. Those who used an extension or reside outside the U.S. are also included. Payments are issued according to the accepted receipt date.
The first group includes people who filed their returns after May 15 using the e-file system. For those who opted for direct deposit, refunds are being processed between June 6 and June 19. Those who chose to receive a check by mail will see their checks sent between June 13 and June 26.
The second group includes those who filed paper returns between May 16 and May 31. Refunds for this group are expected to begin being issued on June 26. In some cases, distribution could extend into the following July.
A final group that could expect tax refund payments in the coming days are those who filed paper returns between May 16 and May 31. Refunds for this group are estimated to begin being issued on June 26. In some cases, distribution could extend into the following July.
Some tax refunds may experience unexpected delays.
The IRS is reporting administrative issues after former DOGE Department’s director Elon Musk ordered more than 7,000 layoffs, leaving the rest of the staff with an overload of work and the resulting—and inevitable—delays in the manual processing of tens of millions of paper tax returns during the fiscal year.
Another cause is the manual reviews required in certain cases. These reviews can be triggered by the claim of refundable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC). They can also be due to taxpayer identity verification processes.
Internal IRS systematic and technical processes also influence processing speed. Certain types of returns or specific situations may be directed to processing queues that experience temporary slowdowns. These processes are part of normal operating protocols.
Estimated arrival dates for tax refunds in June
For returns filed e-file between May 1 and 15 with direct deposit, the estimated refund deadline was June 4. For the same period, but with postal checks, the deadline was extended to approximately June 11. These deadlines have already passed.
For e-file returns filed between May 16 and May 31 with direct deposit, refunds are estimated between June 6 and June 19. If the payment method was postal check, the refund is expected between June 13 and June 26. These are the current deadlines.
For paper returns received between May 16 and May 31, refunds will begin to be issued on June 26. Distribution is anticipated to continue in the following weeks, potentially extending into July. Returns involving EITC, CTC, or special paperwork can wait until late June or July.
The average tax refund issued in June 2025 is around $2,939, according to the most recent data released by the IRS. This figure represents the typical amount for refunds distributed during this specific period. Other independent estimates place it closer to $2,945, aligning with the official figure.
