In an ordinary year, most people receive their tax refunds within 21 days of filing electronically. But the past couple…
In an ordinary year, most people receive their tax refunds within 21 days of filing electronically. But the past couple of years have been anything but ordinary, as the IRS has grappled with a backlog of paper tax returns during the pandemic and last year’s tax-filing season start was delayed until mid-February. This year, the IRS began accepting tax returns on a more typical schedule on Jan. 24. But IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig warned taxpayers to take special care when filing in 2022 to avoid experiencing processing delays similar to those seen in previous years, saying the IRS is “facing enormous challenges related to the pandemic” and acknowledging taxpayers’ frustrations.
If you’re waiting for your tax refund, here’s what to know.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Your Refund?
If you file electronically with direct deposit into your bank account, you’ll usually get your refund within 21 days if there aren’t any issues with your return. If you e-file but request a paper check, it usually takes about a month to receive your refund. That time frame can expand significantly — to two months or more — if you file a paper return and request a paper check.
The process can take longer if there are mistakes on your return, if the income you reported doesn’t…
