How long do mailed tax returns take

Then it may take up to a few additional days for your bank to make the funds available to you. If you file a paper return or if you want to receive your refund as a paper check, your return will take longer to process. Filing a paper return and receiving your refund as a paper check will take the longest to process at two months or more.

Based on how you file, most filers can generally expect to receive a refund within these time frames. Law requires the IRS to hold refunds from these returns until February You can also access that tool on the IRS2Go mobile app. Note that these are just guidelines. Based on how you file, most filers can generally expect to receive a refund within these time frames. For a more detailed estimate of when you could get your tax refund, this table breaks down when direct deposits are sent an average of two weeks after your taxes were accepted by the IRS for direct deposits and three weeks for paper checks in the mail.

This may happen if your return was incomplete or incorrect. The IRS may send you instructions through the mail if it needs additional information in order to process your return. Note that due to the Coronavirus IRS employees have been working remotely, and paper returns are taking longer to process. Reportedly, some IRS workers have since returned to the office, but people who filed paper returns are experiencing unusual delays in receiving their refunds.

As you might expect, every state does things a little differently when it comes to issuing tax refund. There are a number of factors — including the choices you make when you file — that could impact how long it takes for you to receive your tax refund. The delivery option you choose for your tax refund will affect how quickly you receive your funds.

According to the IRS, the fastest way to receive your refund is to combine the direct deposit method with an electronically filed tax return. Below is an estimated breakdown of how soon you might expect to receive your tax refund, based on filing and delivery choices.

Additional factors could slow down the processing of your tax refund, such as errors, incomplete returns or fraud. You should also expect to wait longer for your refund if the IRS determines that your tax return needs further review. Refunds for returns that have errors or that need special handling could take up to four months, according to the IRS. Delays also occur when the IRS suspects identity theft or fraud with any return. Respond quickly if the IRS contacts you by mail for more information or to verify a return.

A delay in responding will increase the wait time for your refund. If you submitted an amended tax form, it may take more than 20 weeks to receive a refund due to processing delays related to the pandemic. The IRS has eliminated the guesswork of waiting for your tax refund by creating IRS2Go , an app that allows you to track the status of your return. Both tools provide personalized daily updates for taxpayers 24 hours after a return is e-filed or four weeks after the IRS has received a paper return.

After inputting some basic information i. Once your refund reaches the third stage, you will need to wait for your financial institution to process a direct deposit or for a paper check to reach you through the mail. Deciding how to spend, save or invest the money in advance can help stop the shopping impulse from getting the best of you. Your refund is yours to use how you see fit and can be used to help pay for day-to-day expenses or invested for long-term financial stability.

Looking for inspiration? Bankrate offers five smart ways to invest your tax refund. How We Make Money. Michelle Black. Written by.