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Home » News » Why your IRS tax refund is delayed in April 2025

Why your IRS tax refund is delayed in April 2025

Illustration of a stressed man checking an empty mailbox, symbolizing IRS tax refund delays in 2025.

Taxpayers across the United States are reporting IRS tax refund delays in April 2025, with many waiting longer than the usual 21-day processing window. If you have not received your refund yet, you are not alone.

Here’s what’s causing the slowdown and what you can do to track your refund.

Why IRS tax refunds are delayed

Several factors are contributing to refund delays this year:

  • Staffing shortages: Despite hiring efforts, the IRS workforce remains below pre-pandemic levels.
  • Enhanced error checks: The IRS has increased review processes to catch fraud and identity theft, slowing down overall processing times.
  • Amended returns surge: More taxpayers are filing amended returns due to late tax law changes and updated 1099 forms.
  • Increased demand: The IRS is processing millions of returns as taxpayers rush to meet filing deadlines, creating natural bottlenecks.

Returns flagged for review or needing additional verification can take several weeks longer than average.

How to check your IRS refund status

The best way to track your refund is to use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool, available at irs.gov/refunds. You will need:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your filing status
  • Your exact refund amount

The tool updates once every 24 hours, typically overnight.

When you should contact the IRS

You should only contact the IRS if:

  • It has been more than 21 days since you e-filed your return.
  • The “Where’s My Refund?” tool tells you to contact them.
  • You mailed a paper return and it has been more than six weeks without a status update.

Keep in mind that phone lines are extremely busy this time of year, and wait times may be long.

What to do if your refund is delayed

If your refund is delayed, make sure to:

  • Check “Where’s My Refund?” regularly for updates.
  • Verify your banking information if you opted for direct deposit.
  • Review any IRS notices you receive by mail — they may request additional information.
  • Remain patient, as most refunds are still processed without issues, even if delayed.

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