As the 2025 tax season progresses, millions of Americans are anticipating their federal tax refunds, with many expecting amounts close to a whopping $3,000, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has said that the average refund this year is around $2,939.
With this in mind, the timing to take advantage of the rights and benefits that belong to you largely depends on how you filed your returns and chose to receive your payments, and that refers to the currently ongoing tax season as well.
Specifically, electronic filing combined with direct deposit is the fastest method, typically resulting in refunds within 10 to 21 days, whereas paper filings and requests for mailed checks can extend the waiting period to six to eight weeks, according to the information shared by the IRS.
For those who filed between May 1 and May 15, the IRS has provided the following estimated refund timelines:
- E-filing with direct deposit: May 22 – June 4
- E-filing with mailed check: May 29 – June 11
- Paper filing: June 26 – July 10.
If you filed between May 16 and May 31, the timelines are as follows:
- E-filing with direct deposit: June 6 – June 19
- E-filing with mailed check: June 13 – June 26
- Paper filing: July 11 – July 25.
While waiting, taxpayers can monitor their refund status using the IRS’s ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool, which requires inputting their Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount on their return.
Transition to digital refunds
Meanwhile, in a significant policy shift, the US Treasury announced that starting September 30, 2025, it will cease issuing paper checks for federal tax refunds. As it happens, the move aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve security, as digital methods are less susceptible to fraud and delays.
To ensure timely receipt of their refunds, the government has encouraged taxpayers to set up electronic payment options, such as direct deposit or digital wallets.
Indeed, the IRS is undertaking significant technological upgrades to streamline operations and improve taxpayer services. With funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the agency plans to retire outdated systems like the Individual Master File by 2028 and replace them with more advanced platforms.
These enhancements aim to facilitate real-time account access, bolster data security, and expedite refund processing.
Elsewhere, aside from tax refunds, ‘tis the season of class action lawsuit settlements, including the Lopez voice assistant settlement, in which Apple has agreed to pay out $95 million to settle with plaintiffs claiming that Siri listened in on their private conversations.
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