Many Americans expecting a tax refund in May 2025 are facing delays. The IRS has acknowledged that millions of refunds are still being processed due to a range of issues that can hold up payments for weeks.
Although most electronically filed returns are processed within 21 days, various factors can cause delays beyond that window. Below are the four most common reasons refunds are still pending—and what taxpayers can do next.
1. Your return has errors or missing information
One of the most common causes of refund delays is inaccurate or incomplete tax returns. Missing signatures, incorrect Social Security numbers, or math errors will slow down processing.
The IRS often flags these returns for manual review, which significantly extends the wait time. In some cases, taxpayers may receive a letter asking for corrections or additional documentation.
What to do: Log into your IRS account at IRS.gov and check the status of your return under “Where’s My Refund?” Watch for mail from the IRS requesting action.
2. You claimed certain tax credits
If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), your refund may be delayed due to mandatory fraud checks.
Federal law requires the IRS to hold refunds involving these credits until mid-February, but some may still be under review in May, especially if additional verification is needed.
What to do: Confirm that you meet eligibility rules and submitted all supporting documents. The IRS may request income verification or proof of dependents.
3. Your return triggered identity verification
To combat tax fraud, the IRS may hold returns for identity verification. This is especially common if your tax return includes unusual activity or mismatches known data.
You may receive a letter asking you to verify your identity through the IRS Identity and Tax Return Verification Service (ID.me or in-person options).
What to do: Complete the verification process as soon as possible to resume processing. Delays continue until your identity is confirmed.
4. Your return is under additional review
Some returns are selected for further review due to suspicious activity, large refunds, amended returns, or high deductions. This does not always mean you’re being audited, but it can delay your refund by weeks.
What to do: Check your refund status online and wait for formal communication from the IRS. Avoid filing a second return or contacting the IRS unless more than 21 days have passed without updates.
When will refunds arrive?
According to the IRS, most accurate and complete returns are processed in less than 21 days. However, returns flagged for issues or identity checks can take 6 to 12 weeks or longer.
Taxpayers can track their refund status using:
- IRS.gov/refunds
- The IRS2Go mobile app
- Their IRS online account
What to expect next
If you’re still waiting for your refund in late May, continue checking the status online and watch for IRS notices by mail. Respond promptly to any requests.
For most taxpayers, once issues are resolved, refunds are issued by direct deposit within a few days.
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