I Filed My 2023 Taxes. When Will I Get My Refund? (2024)

The 2024 tax season officially started Monday, January 29, and this year, as usual, you have until April 15 to file your tax return. But if you’re eager to receive your refund, you won’t want to file at the last minute. The sooner you file, the sooner those refund dollars will be in your account.

The IRS says if you file early and electronically, you’ll typically receive your tax refund within 21 days after filing.

However, if you file a paper tax return, expect delays. The IRS warns that paper tax returns can take six months or longer to process.

Estimated IRS Refund Tax Schedule for 2023 Tax Returns

At one time, the IRS issued an annual tax refund schedule to let taxpayers know when they were likely to receive their refunds. Though the IRS no longer does this, we’ve put together estimates of when your refund may arrive based on the schedule in previous years.

*The tax deadline was April 15, 2024.

How To Track Your Tax Refund

If you expect a tax refund this year, you can track your tax refund status with the IRS Where’s My Refund online tool or the IRS2Go mobile app.

You’ll need to input your Social Security number, filing status and expected refund amount. The IRS starts tracking your tax refund within 24 hours after e-filing and updates the tool daily. If you filed your tax return by mail, expect longer processing times and delays.

If you don’t have access to online tools, you can contact the IRS by phone at 800-829-1040 to find out the status of your refund.

How To Speed Up Your Tax Refund

You can take certain steps ahead of time to help your refund arrive faster. But once you file your return, it’s in the hands of the IRS—and your refund will be issued on the agency’s timeline.

1. Request a Direct Deposit

According to the IRS, 8 out of 10 taxpayers use direct deposit to receive their tax refunds faster. This option is available whether you file online or with a paper tax return.

If you don’t have a bank account, there are other options, like having the IRS issue your refund on a prepaid debit card. But be warned: Prepaid debit card providers can charge various fees for reloading the card—and other everyday services—so this may not be a good option for you.

2. File Your Tax Return Electronically

Combining direct deposit and electronic filing can greatly speed up your tax refund. Filing electronically requires that you use a tax software program, which can flag errors that may cause processing delays at the IRS. These errors might include an incorrect Social Security number, a wrong date of birth for a dependent or a misspelled name.

You can electronically file your tax return for free using the IRS Free File Program if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $79,000. Most simple tax returns—with a basic W-2, say, and only a few deductions—can generally be filed for free using commercial tax software providers, too, although you may be charged a fee to file your state taxes.

If your tax situation is more complicated—if you sold property, paid business expenses or earned investment or business income, to give a few examples—you should consider hiring a tax professional.

A knowledgeable tax pro, such as an enrolled agent or certified public accountant (CPA), can review your tax return and identify any mistakes that may slow down the processing of your refund.

Why Haven’t I Received My Tax Refund?

Your financial institution plays a role in when you receive your refund. Since some banks don’t process financial transactions on weekends or holidays, that may delay the refund being credited to your account.

The IRS has said that people whose returns claimed the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit would generally get their tax refunds in late February. But if you claim these credits and the IRS needs more information about your return, it will send you a letter and hold your refund until any issues are resolved.

Also, you can expect a wait for your tax refund if you file an amended tax return. The IRS says it can take up to 16 weeks to process amended returns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)