The average federal tax refund for 2025 is now approximately $3,116, according to the latest IRS data, a 3.5% increase from the previous year.
While not a dramatic jump, it’s enough to give millions of taxpayers a noticeable financial cushion, especially during a time of economic uncertainty.
For most Americans, the IRS is still delivering refunds within the typical 21-day timeframe, assuming the return was filed electronically and includes direct deposit information. But those who opted for paper returns or made common filing mistakes, like incorrect Social Security numbers or math errors, can expect delays ranging from 4 to 8 weeks.
Taxpayers can check their refund status using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov or via the IRS2Go mobile app. The tracker updates once every 24 hours, typically overnight. However, those claiming certain credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), may experience slightly longer waits due to stricter fraud filters.
Despite continued staffing limitations at IRS customer service centers and phone lines, the agency’s backend digital processing systems appear to be functioning without major disruption. That means as long as you filed correctly and chose direct deposit, you’re likely in the clear.
Worth noting: the IRS also confirmed that more than $1 billion in unclaimed refunds from tax year 2021 officially expired on April 15, 2025, as the three-year claim window closed. Those funds will now remain with the U.S. Treasury unless Congress makes an exception, which rarely happens.
To ensure you get your refund as quickly as possible:
- File electronically
- Choose direct deposit
- Double-check personal details
- Avoid guessing on income or deductions
If you’re still waiting, resist the urge to refresh the IRS website constantly. Daily checks are more than enough, and refund status won’t move faster just because you keep hitting refresh.
In short: refunds are a bit bigger, processing is on track for most, and the key to faster money remains the same, file smart, file early, and let the IRS systems do their thing.
