If you submit a complete and accurate paper tax return, you can expect your refund within six to eight weeks from the date the IRS receives it. For electronic returns, your refund will typically be issued in under three weeks, and even faster if you select direct deposit.

The IRS says on the agency’s website that most refunds are issued within 21 days, though some can take longer.

The IRS reported paying an average tax refund of $1,928 for the 2025 tax season as of Jan. 31. That's a big leap from the 2024 average of $1,395, but it's normal. The agency stated that early