While the 2024 tax season deadline has officially passed about two months ago, some taxpayers are still receiving their refunds. With the tax season officially coming to a close in April this year and summer officially arriving, many families may be welcoming awaited tax refunds now, as families may be going on holiday for vacation with schools and universities closing for the summer break. Check to see if you are still eligible and due for a refund from last year’s taxes.
IRS tax refund schedule estimations
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refund timelines differ depending on the method you used to file your taxes and the method you indicated you would like your refund to be distributed through. Returns filed through e-filing generally take up to 21 days to be processed and your refund to be distributed. If you sent your returns by mail or needed to amend your return, this can take up to four weeks. This timeline is longer than your return needs additional corrections or reviews.
Your refund may also take longer if you receive additional tax credits, such as the Child Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. Further, if it turns out that there are problems or inconsistencies with your return, this will also take longer to review, which subsequently means it will take longer for the IRS to distribute your refund to you.
Who will get a refund from the IRS this week?
This coming week, between June 16 and 23, you can expect a refund if you filed your returns between May 1 and May 15 or between May 16 and May 31st. However, your refund will be distributed to you if you filed between these dates, only if you filed as follows:
- E-filing with a mailed check
- E-filing with direct deposit
However, it is important to note that your refund may not be as high as you would expect. Unless you were granted an extension by the IRS, if you filed your returns between these dates, it means you will be subject to late penalties, which could be deducted from your returns. If you still have not received a refund yet from the IRS, and you did file your returns before the April due date, you can use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool to confirm if you are actually set to receive a refund.
Additionally, your refund could be delayed due to the internal job cuts and losses seen by the IRS due to recommendations by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These job cuts have been seen across federal positions in order to help the federal government save $150 billion worth of federal spending. This amount was previously set at $2 trillion.
How much can I receive from the IRS?
This year, the average refund distributed by the IRS in refunds is $2,939, according to IRS official May 9 statistics. However, when it comes to looking at averages like this, it is important to remember that it takes into account all taxpayers’ incomes and their respective refunds. This average amount is therefore usually skewed towards the higher end than what the average taxpayer is actually receiving, as the amount is inflated due to the minority of high-income earners.
For this reason, when it comes to wanting to know what your refund will be, it is important to only receive communication and updates on this from the IRS itself. You should not compare your refund to someone else, even if they earn a similar salary to you, as they may receive different sources of additional income or be eligible for tax credits that you are not. Always ensure that you communicate with the IRS directly if you have a query related to your taxes and tax refunds.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. It does not replace IRS guidance or official notices. To confirm your eligibility or payment status, click the IRS‑linked resources in our article or log in to your IRS online account; for personalized advice, consult a qualified tax professional.
