Why is my tax refund taking so long?

Personal Finance
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Taxes

Yahoo Personal Finance · Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images

Rachel Christian Updated Fri, February 13, 2026 at 11:56 PM GMT+8 8 min read

For many taxpayers, refund season is basically reimbursement season — getting back some much-needed cash you overpaid to the IRS throughout the year. And right now, many households are already budgeting around that money, whether it’s to stabilize their finances, catch up on bills, or rebuild savings.

Are you waiting on your refund and wondering what’s going on? Before assuming the worst, it helps to understand how the refund process actually works.

How long does it take the IRS to process a federal tax return?

According to the IRS, if you e-file your return, you should see the refund check within 21 days or sooner. This is especially true if you receive your refund via direct deposit into your savings or checking account. The IRS says 90% of taxpayers generally receive their federal tax refund check within this time frame.

10 reasons your tax refund might be delayed

If it’s been more than 21 days and you’re still asking, “Where’s my refund?” there could be some simple reasons for the delay. Any of the following scenarios could result in a longer processing time for filers.

1. There are mistakes on your tax forms

Nobody’s perfect, so tax preparation errors are a common reason for refund delays. And it’s not just adding up numbers wrong. For instance, an incorrect Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) can flag your return and get it sent back to you to update or amend.

2. Your return is missing information

If you breeze through your tax filing and forget to sign, skip a line, or miss including a form, you’ll probably have a longer wait. It pays to slow down and double-check your work or use tax software, such as H&R Block, to ensure you don’t miss something crucial.

3. You entered incorrect bank account information

Maybe your e-filing was perfect right up until you put the wrong number into your direct deposit information. If you catch it early enough and the refund hasn’t been posted to the IRS system yet, you can try to stop the direct deposit by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040.

If the IRS can’t complete your refund, they’ll let you know. But if your money makes it into the wrong bank account, you’re responsible for contacting the bank directly to get it back.

However, you still have options: If you already contacted your bank and nothing has happened after two weeks, file Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund) to start a refund trace. This lets the IRS contact the bank and attempt to recover the money. Banks can take up to 90 days from the trace date to respond, and full resolution may take up to 120 days.

The IRS now freezes most refunds rejected by a bank and typically won’t automatically resend them as paper checks for most people.

If your refund is frozen, you’ll receive what’s known as a CP53E notice with instructions. It’ll tell you to add or update your direct deposit details through your IRS online account within 30 days. If you don’t respond, the IRS will eventually mail you a paper check after about six weeks.

If the funds aren’t available or the bank refuses to return them, all bets are off: The IRS can’t force the bank to release the money.

4. You claimed certain tax credits

Some tax credits can delay your refund, especially if you file early. For instance, the additional child tax credit and the earned income tax credit (EITC) are refundable tax credits that put money back into taxpayers' pockets. But they can’t be disbursed by law until late February or early March. And claiming these tax credits may subject your return to additional scrutiny about whether you qualify for a refund.

5. You filed an amended return

If you made a simple mistake in your filing, the IRS will likely correct your error. However, you'll have to file an amended return if you have to change your filing status, income, deductions, or credits you claimed, or declare additional income. Processing a Form 1040X for an amended return may take 8 to 12 weeks.

6. You filed a paper return

You can still file a paper return by U.S. mail with the IRS, but they’re up front about the fact that this could result in significant delays. The IRS website details which month of paper returns they’re currently working on, and it’s usually anywhere from four to six weeks from when the tax filing was received.

If you choose to receive your refund as a paper check delivered to your home address, that can also cause delays. And keep in mind that the US Treasury began phasing out paper refund checks in September 2025 and now issues them only in limited situations.

7. Your refund has been offset

The IRS can withhold or seize refunds for certain types of debt. It’s called a tax refund offset. For example, if you owe child support, state taxes, or student loans that have gone into delinquency, you may receive a notice from the U.S. Treasury that your refund is being taken to offset those debts.

8. You’ve been a victim of identity theft

One of the most common forms of tax fraud is identity theft, when someone files a tax return and claims a refund on your behalf. This type of fraud is why the IRS advises closely tracking your refund status. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of tax-related identity theft, contact the IRS immediately.

9. You submitted your tax return early (or late) in the season

The IRS experiences bottlenecks due to volume, just like any other agency or department. If you submitted early, your refund may be delayed because you claimed certain tax credits. If you barely got your filing in under the deadline, your refund may get delayed by the deluge of returns the IRS receives at the end of every tax season.

10. You’re under audit for a previous tax year

It might not feel fair, but if you’re under audit from a prior tax year, your tax return will likely get flagged this year for additional review. Since it’s likely to be under additional review, getting advice from a tax professional may be worthwhile to ensure your federal filing is accurate before you submit it.

Read more: Free tax filing: How to file your 2025 return for free

How to track your refund using the IRS 'Where’s My Refund?' tool

You don’t have to guess why your tax refund hasn’t hit your bank account because the IRS will tell you. Visit the Where’s My Refund? tool to check your refund status and see if there’s been an issue holding up the processing of your return.

You’ll need some information, including your Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number, your filing status, and your exact refund amount. If the IRS needs more information, they’ll update this page with details about how to proceed. You can also contact the IRS and speak to an agent at 800-829-1040.

Learn more: How to choose the right federal tax filing status

The fastest way to get your refund? Choose e-file and use direct deposit.

If time is of the essence, follow the IRS tax tips for a speedy tax refund and submit via e-file with direct deposit. Having the funds electronically deposited into your bank account is free, and you can specify if you want to split the refund between two or three different accounts.

Keep in mind that if you don’t see the deposit clear, but the IRS says it’s been issued, you may have to wait a few days for it to show up in your bank account.

Learn more: Your refund may be bigger this year. Here's why.

When should you contact the IRS about a tax refund delay?

If it’s been 21 days since you filed electronically and the IRS website tracking tool doesn't say why your refund is delayed, you can reach out for more information. For individual returns, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also visit a local Taxpayer Assistance Center to learn more about your refund status.

Read more: 5 smart ways to put your tax refund to use

Tax refund delay FAQs

1. How do I know if my tax return has been flagged for review?

If your income tax return requires additional review, you’ll be notified via both the IRS refund status tracker and by mail. If you simply need to amend your return or provide more information, the IRS will let you know how to proceed. If you are being audited, you’ll receive a specific notice called a CP05, and the IRS will reach out with any next steps.

2. If my federal tax return is delayed, does that mean I’m being audited?

Delays in processing your federal tax return don’t always mean you’re being audited or that anything is wrong. Often, delays are simply a result of when you file and whether you filled out the forms accurately. Only a small fraction of tax filings are selected for automatic review or audit. Most tax returns flagged for audit have incomplete or incorrect information.