Video: Where’s My Refund? How Long Does It Take to Get a Tax Refund?
If you’re wondering what day of the week the IRS deposits refunds into bank accounts, you’ll be happy to know that your tax refund can arrive on almost any day. The more important question is how long it takes from the time you file your return to the day you actually get your refund. That’s what we’ll explore in this brief video.
The One Big Beautiful Bill that passed includes permanently extending tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including increasing the cap on the amount of state and local or sales tax and property tax (SALT) that you can deduct, makes cuts to energy credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act, makes changes to taxes on tips and overtime for certain workers, reforms Medicaid, increases the Debt ceiling, and reforms Pell Grants and student loans. Updates to this article are in process. Check our One Big Beautiful Bill article for more information.
Video transcript:
Wondering how long it takes to get your federal tax refund? Let’s break this down in this edition of Tax Tips by TurboTax.
For most people, the time it takes to receive a refund depends on how you file your return.
When you file electronically, the IRS gets quick access to your tax return and can start processing it right away. As a result, your refund is typically deposited into your bank account within 21 days after e-filing. On the other hand, if you file a paper return by mail, it can take the IRS four weeks or more to process your return and send a refund.
What other factors can slow down your refund?
Errors on your return, or an incomplete return, can delay processing your tax return.
Your refund can also be held up if your identity is stolen and someone files a tax return using your Social Security number, or the Social Security number of anyone else included on your return, like a spouse or dependents.
Another situation that can delay the process is if you file early and claim the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, as the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until at least mid-February. And remember, it can take your bank a day or two to post a direct deposit refund to your account.
So, what options do you have to receive your refund?
The IRS generally stopped issuing paper refund checks in October 2025. But you can still have your refund electronically deposited into as many as three separate accounts. These types of accounts include checking, savings, retirement, education, brokerage, or health savings accounts.
If you file your taxes with TurboTax, you can have your refund deposited directly into an existing bank account. Alternatively, you can open a new account with Credit Karma Money or add your refund to a prepaid card.
If you want to track the status of your refund, you can use the “Where’s My Refund” tool on the IRS.gov website. But if you filed with TurboTax, you can easily check your e-file status by logging in to your account.
Visit turbotax.com for more info to help you file your taxes with confidence!
With TurboTax Expert Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Expert Assist.
And you can file your own taxes with TurboTax Do It Yourself. Easily start your taxes by adding your forms and answering a few simple questions, then we’ll guide you from there. No matter which way you file, we guarantee 100% accuracy and your maximum refund.
Get started now by logging into TurboTax and file with confidence.
