The IRS is sending out a new wave of tax refunds this week, and if you filed your return in mid-to-late April, your money might be just days away from hitting your account.
According to multiple reports, including Marca and New York Tax Concept, the Internal Revenue Service is issuing payments between May 5 and May 11. This round of refunds targets taxpayers who filed electronically, chose direct deposit, and submitted error-free returns around the week of April 14–20.
That 21-day IRS processing window is now reaching maturity, meaning qualified filers are next in line for payouts. If you’re among them, you could see your refund show up in your bank account as early as today. Direct deposit recipients are typically first to receive payments, often on Mondays or Tuesdays, while those who selected mailed checks may see delays of several more days.
Still waiting? There are several reasons your refund might be delayed. Common culprits include mistakes in banking information, typos in your name or Social Security number, or more complex claims like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), both of which trigger extra IRS verification. Additionally, anyone with outstanding federal debts, including back taxes, student loans, or child support, may see partial or complete offsets to their refunds.
For the fastest status update, the IRS recommends using its official “Where’s My Refund?” tracker, available on IRS.gov or through the IRS2Go mobile app. You’ll need three things: your Social Security number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. Once submitted, the tool will show whether your return has been received, if your refund is approved, and when your payment was sent.
If you haven’t filed yet or are planning ahead for next year, there are a few ways to avoid delays. The IRS encourages taxpayers to file as early as possible, opt for e-filing, double-check their personal info, and always choose direct deposit. These small steps can mean the difference between getting your refund in 21 days, or waiting over eight weeks.
This week marks one of the biggest payout windows left in the 2025 tax season. The IRS expects to distribute millions in refunds to those who filed during the final rush of April. If you’re eligible and your return was clean, you should be seeing that deposit very soon.
But if your refund doesn’t arrive by the end of the week, don’t panic, just use the IRS tracker to get clarity on your status and possible next steps.
