If you’re hoping for a nice summer surprise from the IRS, you might be in luck. Thousands of taxpayers who filed their returns in May are getting an average refund of nearly $3,000, with payouts scheduled to hit bank accounts and mailboxes throughout June and into early July. But before you go refreshing your online banking app, here’s the catch—your refund date depends entirely on how and when you filed.
For those who used direct deposit and filed electronically, the IRS has already started sending out payments. But if you filed by paper or opted for a mailed check, brace yourself: your wait could stretch well into mid-July.
When Will the Refund Hit Your Account or Mailbox?
The IRS has provided a tentative schedule for refund distribution based on filing dates and methods. Here’s what to expect:
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If you filed electronically between May 1 and May 15, and chose direct deposit, you could see your refund as early as May 22 and no later than June 4.
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If you chose a paper check, that same return could arrive between May 29 and June 11.
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For those who filed between May 16 and May 31, your direct deposit refund is expected between June 6 and June 19, while paper checks could take until June 26 or later.
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Paper filers, unfortunately, face the longest delays. Depending on the volume and processing issues, refunds from paper returns may not arrive until mid to late July.
Why Some People May See Delays—or Nothing at All Yet
While many are seeing their money right on schedule, others are checking their refund status only to see messages like “pending” or “still processing.” The reason? Several factors:
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IRS staffing shortages following recent layoffs have slowed down processing, especially for paper returns.
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Errors in tax returns—such as mismatched Social Security numbers, missing information, or incorrect banking details—can trigger manual reviews that take longer.
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Banking delays can cause your refund to show as “issued” in the IRS system but not appear in your account for several more days.
Pro tip: Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool with your Social Security Number, filing status, and exact refund amount to check your real-time status.
Need Help? Here’s How to Talk to a Real IRS Agent Faster
IRS wait times have dropped from nearly 30 minutes earlier this year to just under 15 minutes in June. If you need to speak to someone directly, use this quick method to skip the wait:
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Call the IRS and press 1 for English
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Then press 2 for personal income tax
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Then press 3 for all other inquiries
This trick is helping many taxpayers avoid long hold times and speak directly to an agent.
What If You Still Haven’t Received Anything by July?
If your refund hasn’t arrived by July 15, especially if you’re a paper filer or requested a check, the IRS recommends taking action. Here’s what you should do:
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Check your filing receipt to confirm the IRS has your return.
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Use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool to look for updates.
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If nothing has changed by mid-July, contact the IRS directly or consult a tax professional.
And take note: Starting this fall (September 30, 2025), the IRS will stop mailing paper checks altogether for most tax refunds. That means direct deposit will become the only guaranteed way to get your money fast.
Bottom Line: Act Early, Stay Informed, and Switch to Digital
The June refund rollout is one of the biggest mid-year IRS payments in recent history, with average payouts nearing $3,000. Whether you’re planning a vacation, paying off bills, or just catching up on expenses, now is the time to make sure your refund is on track.
If you haven’t received your money yet, don’t panic—check your refund status online, review your tax return for errors, and get ready to move to digital payments if you’re still relying on snail mail.
