Actually, I am a woman, not a dude. The clerks who answer the phones at the IRS have no control over how fast the system processes tax returns, but they get the brunt of everyone's ire. Over the years, the IRS has implemented a number of security checks to avoid fraud and identity theft, but that can slow down the process. And COVID has impacted nay returns that need a human to look at them. But 21 days is normal. In fact the IRS says this:
I’m counting on my refund for something important. Can I expect to receive it in 21 days?
Many different factors can affect the timing of your refund after we receive your return. Even though we issue most refunds in less than 21 days, it’s possible your refund may take longer. Also, remember to take into consideration the time it takes for your financial institution to post the refund to your account or for you to receive it by mail.
