Since January 27, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has accepted, processed, and paid tax refunds for 2024 individual returns. Refunds are typically issued within 21 days of electronically filed returns, but they may be delayed due to errors, specific credits, or filing methods.
As March comes to a close, those who used the “e-filling” system to file their taxes electronically are among the first to receive direct deposits or paper checks.
Where’s My Refund? Millions of dollars arrive next week in tax refunds
According to the 2025 refund timetable, taxpayers who e-filed between February 24 and March 2, 2025, will receive their refunds between March 22 and March 31. The table below outlines the estimated dates:
- Electronic filing date range: February 24 to March 2, 2025
- Direct deposit refund date: March 22, 2025
- Mailed check refund date: March 29, 2025
Filers include those who filed early in the season, possibly waiting for forms such as the W-2, as well as those who prefer to file near the beginning but before the peak of late March and April.
Remember that refunds sent to taxpayers before mid-February do not include tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), which may affect future averages.
The average tax refunds in 2025 has increased
To determine the exact average refunds for 2025, we need much more current data, and the IRS has yet to release new statistics. As of March 7, 2025, the average refund was $3,324, providing a reference point for our prediction.
During the sixth week of tax season, total refunds increased by 7.2% ($145 billion) compared to the same period in 2024.
However, the initial averages were lower, with an average of $2,169 on February 14, 2025. The initial refunds did not include tax credits like the EITC or ACTC, which are issued after mid-February each year, resulting in an increase in the average.
The average of $3,324 for March 22-31 is likely to be representative due to the higher number of returns processed. The average refund may increase in the coming weeks, based on historical trends.
