After you file

Topic 152 is Refund Information. According to the IRS:

Refund Timing

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in the normal time frame: less than 21 days. However, it’s possible that some tax returns may require further review and could result in the refund being delayed.

Some common issues which may extend processing times:

• You filed your return on paper.
• You’re expecting a refund from an amended return. Refer to Where’s My Amended Return? for more information, including processing timeframes.
• If you filed an injured spouse claim, refer to Injured Spouse Relief for more information.
• For refund claims with an application for an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) attached, refer to Topic No. 857 for more information.
• If you requested a refund of tax withheld on a Form 1042-S by filing a Form 1040-NR, allow up to 6 months from the original due date of the 1040-NR return or the date you filed the 1040-NR, whichever is later, to receive any refund due.
• The IRS expects the earliest Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by February 28 if you chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return. However, some taxpayers may see their refunds a few days earlier. Check Where's My Refund? for your personalized refund date.

You can also refer to Topic No. 303 for a checklist of common errors made when preparing your tax return and for additional items that may delay the processing of your return.

Call us about your refund status only if Where's My Refund? directs you to contact us.

Refund Type

Join the nine in 10 taxpayers who get their refunds faster by using e-file and direct deposit. You have several options for receiving your federal individual income tax refund:

• Direct Deposit: The fastest way is by direct deposit into your checking or savings account, including an individual retirement arrangement (IRA). See the Instructions for Form 1040 (and Form 1040-SR)PDF for more information. In an effort to combat fraud and identity theft, the IRS limits the number of direct deposits into a single financial account or prepaid debit card to three refunds per year. Taxpayers who exceed this limit will receive a notice and a refund check instead, which may take up to 10 weeks;
• TreasuryDirect®: Deposit into a TreasuryDirect® online account to buy savings bonds. For more information, see the Instructions for Form 1040 (and Form 1040-SR);
• Traditional, Roth, or SEP-IRA: Directly deposit part or all of your refund into a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or SEP-IRA, but not a SIMPLE IRA. You must have an existing IRA account before you file your return, and your routing number and account number. See the Instructions for Form 1040 (and Form 1040-SR) for more information. For more information on IRA contributions, see Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs);
• Savings Bonds: By purchase of U.S. Series I Savings Bonds up to $5,000;
• A Health Savings Account (HSA);
• An Archer MSA;
• A Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA); or
• Paper Check: By paper check sent to the address listed on your return.

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