Tax season has come to an end in the United States. April 15 was the last day for millions of taxpayers to file their tax returns with the IRS, but that doesn’t mean your contact with the agency is over. In fact, for many people, the best is yet to come: your tax refund, the money the government will give you back if you overpaid.
Although you can no longer file a return on time without an extension, the IRS continues to work daily reviewing the forms it has received. Each tax return is carefully examined, and if everything is correct, the process of sending the corresponding money begins. That’s why, even though tax season is officially over, your tax refund could appear in your bank account at any time.
Many people consider this refund an additional stimulus check, as it represents an unexpected amount that can ease the financial burden. And best of all, if everything goes well with your documentation, that check could arrive sooner than you think.
When will I get my stimulus check from the IRS?
The time it takes for your tax refund to arrive depends on several factors, but one of the most important is the date you filed your return. The sooner you filed, the sooner you should see the deposit in your account. The IRS has explained that refunds usually take up to 21 calendar days to process if there are no errors and if the electronic method was used.
Here are some approximate examples based on the date of filing:
- Return filed between April 1 and April 15: You could get your check between April 22 and May 6.
- Return filed in March: Many refunds have already been processed; if yours hasn’t arrived, it could be pending verification.
- Return filed before March 1: Payment should have already been issued, except in cases requiring additional review.
- Return filed after April 15 (with extension): Processing may take longer, but payments are still being issued for those who have already filed.
In addition, those who chose Direct Deposit as their form of collection usually get their money much faster. However, if you requested your refund by paper check, the process may take several more weeks.
How can I check where my IRS tax refund is?
The best way to find out the status of your refund is through the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool, available on its official website. To access it, you will need to have the following information on hand:
- Your Social Security number or ITIN.
- Your marital status (single, married, etc.).
- The exact amount of your expected refund.
Once you enter this information, the platform will tell you what stage your payment is in: received, in process, or sent. You can also use the IRS2Go mobile app, which offers notifications and refund status tracking.
For those who chose Direct Express as their collection method (especially federal program beneficiaries), the IRS also sends refunds directly to that card, which can make it easier to manage your money without a traditional bank account. So even though tax season is over, refunds are still on the way. And if everything is in order, you’ll likely have that extra cash in your pocket soon.