The IRS is still sending out refunds for the 2024 tax year through September 2025. Whether you receive your refund this month depends on how and when you filed your return. Taxpayers who submitted their returns in July or August, or whose filings required corrections and manual review, are the main recipients now.
At the same time, a major change is happening: paper refund checks are being phased out as the IRS shifts to digital-only payments under Executive Order 14247, aimed at improving security and cutting fraud.
Why Your Refund May Arrive in September
Refund timing largely depends on your filing method:
E-filed returns: Most refunds are issued within 21 days of acceptance.
Paper returns: Processing takes 4–8 weeks, sometimes longer.
If you filed electronically with direct deposit before July, you’ve likely already been paid. September refunds mainly apply to paper filers or cases that required extra review. Refunds occur when your tax payments exceed what you owe, often due to over-withholding, refundable credits, or corrections made by the IRS.
Factors That Delay Refunds
Certain returns take more time to process, including:
EITC and ACTC claims: Require extra verification under the PATH Act.
Errors or missing details: Wrong Social Security numbers, incorrect math, or missing documents trigger manual reviews, adding weeks to processing.
Extension filers: Those filing close to the October 15, 2025 deadline may see refunds issued in September or October.
Outstanding debts: Refunds may be reduced or withheld to cover federal or state obligations.
Tracking Your Refund
The IRS offers two free tools to track refund status:
Where’s My Refund? (on the IRS website)
IRS2Go mobile app
Both require your Social Security number (or ITIN), filing status, and refund amount. Status updates appear in three stages: “Return Received,” “Refund Approved,” and “Refund Sent.” Updates occur once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so checking multiple times a day is unnecessary.
Refund Checklist for 2025
To make sure you get your refund without delays, keep this checklist in mind:
File your 2024 tax return on time (April 15 deadline, October 15 with extension).
Pay any taxes owed by April 15 to avoid penalties.
Choose direct deposit for faster, safer refunds—paper checks end on September 30, 2025.
Double-check bank account and routing numbers when filing.
Use IRS Free File if your income was $84,000 or less to reduce errors and speed up processing.
September 2025 marks a key transition for taxpayers: the IRS continues issuing refunds but is permanently ending paper checks. E-filers with direct deposit remain the fastest to get paid, while paper filers or returns with credits and errors face longer waits.
Using online tracking tools and filing accurately are the best ways to ensure smooth processing. With the IRS going fully digital from October, taxpayers should prepare now for a faster and more secure refund experience in future years.
