IRS tax refunds may be delayed this year

In 2025, taxpayers may face delays in receiving IRS tax refunds due to stricter rules and common errors. Refunds for those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit will be held until mid-February for verification. Filing paper returns and amended returns can also slow down processing times significantly. Errors on tax returns, such as incorrect Social Security numbers, lead to manual reviews that further delay refunds. To avoid delays, taxpayers are advised to file electronically, ensure accuracy, and use direct deposit. The IRS typically processes electronic returns within 21 days, while paper and amended returns can take much longer.