Every year, millions of American taxpayers file their tax returns and diligently make payments on the taxes they owe to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The federal tax agency has established an estimated schedule for issuing refunds for returns filed electronically in May and June 2025.
Taxpayers who submitted their forms around May 4 and chose direct deposit could receive funds between May 25 and 31. This 21-day deadline applies to electronic returns with no errors or pending revisions. According to the IRS, delays may arise if there are inconsistencies in the information or if tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), are being verified.
It’s worth clarifying, however, that the exact timing depends on the bank, as each bank has a different speed when it comes to processing and delivering these payments.
Who will receive their tax refunds before the end of May 2025?
Returns processed between May 2 and 8 resulted in estimated direct deposits that should have arrived on May 23, while physical checks were expected to arrive a week later. Those who filed between May 9 and 15 were expected to receive funds starting May 30, according to the published table.
For returns submitted in late May or early June, the dates are extended to the end of June. For example, returns filed between June 6 and 12 would have refunds sent via direct deposit on June 27 and by check on July 4.
The IRS clarified that these deadlines are projections based on previous years, meaning they are for informational purposes only (as is the case with this article, which is for informational purposes only). Factors such as Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) claims or random audits may alter individual deadlines.
How to find out where your tax refund is with a free tool
The IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool allows you to check three statuses: “Return Received,” “Refund Approved,” and “Refund Sent.” To use it, you need your Social Security number, marital status, and exact refund amount.
The platform is updated daily, so if you didn’t see your tax refund reflected in the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, you should wait until the next day and check again. In cases of delays exceeding 21 days, the IRS will contact you by mail to request additional documentation, if necessary.
Common errors, such as misreported income or discrepancies in declared dependents, often trigger reviews.
How to make your tax refund payment arrive faster.
Opting for direct deposit and electronic filing reduces turnaround times. Currently, the IRS processes 90% of these requests in less than three weeks, compared to six weeks for paper returns.
Paper check payments often take much longer and are much easier to steal. Investigations have revealed that between 4,000 and 5,000 checks are stolen each year, including IRS refund checks. They are often sold on the dark web and amount to tens of millions of dollars.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reported that more than 680,000 suspicious activity reports related to check fraud were filed in 2022, nearly double the number in 2021.