IRS Tax Refund Schedule for Early May 2025
- Author: Miguel Waters
- Posted: 2025-10-24
The IRS tax refund process is well underway for 2025, and many taxpayers are eagerly waiting for their refunds.
Even though the official deadline to file taxes was April 15, some refunds are still pending. For a lot of people, getting their tax refund is a significant financial boost.
Under usual circumstances, the IRS manages to send out most refunds within 10 to 21 days from the day the tax return is filed. However, the exact time varies based on several factors:
- When you filed your return: Earlier filings generally mean quicker refunds.
- How you filed: Electronic filings are processed quicker than paper filings.
- Payment method: Choosing direct deposit speeds up the process compared to receiving a paper check.
- Tax credits claimed: If you claimed credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC), your refund might be delayed due to extra checks the IRS performs to prevent fraud.
Who Will Receive Their Refund Between May 5 and 11?
- Electronic Filers with Direct Deposit: Those who filed their taxes online between April 14 and 20 and selected direct deposit are expected to receive their refunds between May 5 and 11.
- Check Payment Receivers: Taxpayers who filed online in the last week of March and opted for a check instead of direct deposit should expect their payment to arrive by Monday, May 5.
Expected Timeframes Based on Filing and Payment Methods:
- Electronic Filing + Direct Deposit: About 1 to 3 weeks
- Electronic Filing + Check: Approximately 1 month
- Paper Filing + Direct Deposit: Around 3 weeks
- Paper Filing + Check: Typically 2 months
For those waiting on their refunds, you can check the status through the official IRS website or app. Knowing these schedules can help set expectations and plan financially around when the refund might arrive.
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Related read: When Will Social Security Payments Arrive in May 2025?
