IRS Refund Schedules and Tracking For 2025 Tax Filing Season

If you earned income during 2025, you’ll actually file your return in early 2026. That’s what the IRS calls the 2025 tax filing season it’s named after the year you earned the income, not the year you file. So if you’re wondering about IRS refund schedules and tracking for 2025 tax filing season, you’re in the right place. We’ll discuss it all so you know exactly when to expect your money and how to keep tabs on it.

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IRS Filing Dates and Deadlines for 2025 Tax Year

Here are the important dates you should keep in mind for the 2025 tax filing season:

• January 27, 2026 – IRS begins accepting returns

• April 15, 2026 – Official deadline to file taxes

• October 15, 2026 – Deadline for extension filers

If you’re in a disaster-affected area, you may receive extended time always check IRS announcements. Filing earlier not only gets you your refund faster but also gives you time to fix any issues that might come up before the IRS gets overwhelmed.

When Will the IRS Start Accepting Returns for the 2025 Tax Year?

While the IRS hasn’t made a formal announcement yet, most professionals expect the filing season to begin around Monday, January 27, 2026. That’s typically the date when e-filing becomes available and returns start getting processed. If you file electronically, opt for direct deposit, and your return is error-free, your refund could arrive within 8 to 21 days.

How to check Refund status

Estimated IRS Refund Schedule for 2025 Tax Filing Season

Here’s a general idea of when to expect your refund in 2026 based on when your return is accepted:

These are just estimates. Refunds may be delayed for many reasons, including IRS backlog, errors in your return, or claimed tax credits.

IRS Changes for the 2025 Tax Filing Season

There are a few key updates for the 2025 tax filing season that could affect how you prepare your return. Whether you're filing on your own or getting help from a professional, knowing these changes early can help you avoid mistakes and maybe even save more money.

Standard Deduction Increases

For 2025, the IRS has slightly raised the standard deduction amounts. If you’re filing as a single person, your deduction is now $15,000. Married couples filing jointly can claim $30,000, and heads of household can claim $22,500. These amounts are a bit higher than last year and are meant to adjust for inflation. That means more of your income will be protected from taxes, which could reduce how much you owe or increase your refund. Even if you don’t itemize deductions, this increase helps lower your overall taxable income.

Form 1099-K Threshold Lowered

If you’ve made money through apps or websites like PayPal, Venmo, Etsy, or eBay, you need to know about changes to Form 1099-K. For 2025, if you earn $5,000 or more on any one of these platforms, the company is required to send you a 1099-K by January 31, 2026. 

This form tells the IRS how much money you received from selling goods or services. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t get paid in cash digital payments still count. This income must be reported on your tax return, even if it came from small side jobs or selling personal items. The IRS is keeping a closer watch on these types of earnings now, so skipping them could lead to problems.

IRS Direct File Expanded to More States

The IRS Direct File tool, a free way to file your federal tax return online, is now available in more places than before. In 2024, only 12 states had access to this tool. But for the 2025 tax filing season, it’s been expanded to 25 states, starting on January 27, 2026. You can use Direct File if you lived in one of these states during all of 2025 and your return is fairly simple meaning you mostly have W-2 income and no complex deductions. The goal of this tool is to help people file their taxes quickly and easily without needing to pay for tax software or services. If you're eligible, it's worth checking out.

Best Way to Get Your Refund Fast

If you're trying to figure out the quickest way to get your money back, understanding IRS refund schedules and tracking for 2025 tax filing season can really help. The fastest route to your refund is still the old classic: e-filing your return and choosing direct deposit. This method speeds things up and avoids delays that come with mailing paper forms or waiting for checks. According to the IRS, over 90% of refunds are sent out within 21 days when you e-file and use direct deposit making it the most reliable option for fast processing.

Refund Delivery Times Based on Filing and Payment Method

So if you're in a hurry or relying on your refund for bills or debt payments, avoid paper filing and opt for electronic everything.

How to Track Your Refund Once You File

Keeping up with your refund progress is simple if you know where to look. For those wondering about IRS refund schedules and tracking for 2025 tax filing season, the IRS offers two official ways to check. You can use the online status checker or download the IRS2Go app. Both options ask for basic details like your Social Security number, refund amount, and filing status to provide current information on your return.

These tools will show you which stage your refund is in from confirmation that your return was received to final payment. They update once a day, so checking more often won’t speed things up. If you’d rather skip the back-and-forth and get help monitoring it, SK Financial CPA is here to assist. Book a free consultation and we’ll keep you informed at every step.

Refunds May Be Delayed If You Claim Certain Credits

Returns claiming credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) are subject to mandatory delays. The IRS holds these refunds until at least mid-to-late February to allow extra time for fraud prevention. Even if you file on day one, your refund might not show up until early March if you claim either of these.

What Causes Refund Delays Besides Tax Credits?

Even without those credits, your refund might be delayed if:

• Your return has errors (wrong SSN, wrong bank info, or missing forms)

• The IRS has to verify your identity

• You mailed a paper return (they take longer)

• You submitted an amended return

• Your bank causes a hold or delay

Make sure everything is accurate before filing even small mistakes can cause weeks of delay.

What to Do If You Haven’t Received Your Refund Yet

If your refund hasn’t arrived within the usual timeframe, delays happen. For most people, the IRS sends refunds within three weeks of e-filing, but some situations may require more time. According to IRS refund schedules and tracking for 2025 tax filing season, paper filings, incorrect information, or security reviews can push things back.

If the IRS tracker hasn’t moved after a few weeks, or it tells you to call, you can reach their helpline at 1-800-829-1040. However, be prepared for extended hold times during peak periods.

Should You Take a Tax Refund Advance Loan?

Some tax prep companies offer refund advance loans to give you a portion of your refund immediately. While this may sound tempting, not all of them are free. Some charge fees or high interest if you don’t meet the criteria. And remember this isn’t money from the IRS. It’s the tax company fronting the cash, betting on your return getting approved. Unless you truly need emergency cash, it’s safer to just file early and wait 2–3 weeks for the real refund.

Direct Deposit vs. Paper Check

Almost always, direct deposit is the better choice. It's quicker, safer, and more reliable. Here's a quick comparison:

You can even split your refund into up to three accounts using Form 8888, a good option if you want to separate funds into savings, checking, or toward a specific goal.

Make Tax Season Smoother with SK Financial CPA

If figuring out what to file, when to expect your refund, or how to deal with delays feels confusing or time-consuming, you're not alone. Many people get stuck trying to understand the steps or fix small mistakes that hold everything up. That’s where our team at SK Financial CPA comes in. We work with individuals and small businesses to make sure everything is filed correctly the first time, that all eligible credits are applied, and that refunds are tracked without guesswork.

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