If you’re waiting on an IRS tax refund, you’re not alone—many filers are finally seeing direct deposits appear in September.
This is not a special payout; it’s the normal flow of refunds catching up after extra reviews, paper backlogs, amended returns, and identity verification steps.
For most people who e-filed accurately, the IRS aims to finish in about 21 days, but any special handling can push your tax refund into September.
Why refunds are delayed in 2025
Several common issues are slowing payments:
- Paper vs e-file: Paper returns move slower and can take weeks before they even appear in Where’s My Refund.
- Amended returns (Form 1040-X): These often take 8–12 weeks (and sometimes up to 16 weeks) due to manual review.
- Identity verification (letters 5071C/4883C): After verifying, it can take up to 9 weeks to finish processing.
- Extra review & credits: Claims for certain credits or mismatched income can trigger manual checks, delaying release.
- Bank processing times: After the IRS shows Refund Sent, your bank may still take up to 5 business days to post funds.
Who’s likely to see money in September
You’re more likely to see a September payout if you:
- E-filed in late August and hit the ~21-day window now.
- Mailed a return that cleared initial intake and finally posted to the system.
- Amended in early summer and have reached the end of the 8–16 week review period.
- Verified identity in July/August and are now through final checks.
How to check your status (and when to act)
Use Where’s My Refund (WMR) for original returns and Where’s My Amended Return for Form 1040-X. WMR typically updates once per day (overnight).
- If you e-filed and it’s been over 21 days, check WMR first.
- If you mailed a return, wait about 4 weeks before status appears.
- Only call the IRS if WMR specifically instructs you to call or if a notice asks for more information.
- If the status changes to Refund Sent, allow up to 5 business days for your bank to post the direct deposit.
Quick guide- Delays, timeframes & fixes
| Delay Reason | Typical Timeline | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| E-filed return | ~21 days | Track in Where’s My Refund; avoid filing duplicates. |
| Paper return | Longer than e-file; shows in WMR after ~4 weeks | Be patient; choose e-file + direct deposit next time. |
| Amended return (Form 1040-X) | 8–12 weeks, up to 16 weeks | Use Where’s My Amended Return; don’t re-amend unless instructed. |
| Identity verification | Up to 9 weeks after verifying | Complete verification online/phone; recheck WMR after 2–3 weeks. |
| Questioned credits / extra review | Varies | Respond quickly to any IRS notice; submit requested documents. |
| Bank posting | Up to 5 business days after “Refund Sent” | Ask your bank about posting times; ensure correct account info. |
Bottom line: September is a normal catch-up period—not a bonus month.
As paper filings, amended returns, and identity-verified cases clear review, many taxpayers are finally seeing tax refunds hit their accounts.
To speed things up next time, e-file, choose direct deposit, keep your bank details updated, and respond promptly to any IRS notices.
Keep checking Where’s My Refund, which updates daily, and remember that banks may need a few days to post your direct deposit.
FAQs
How long does an e-filed return usually take?
Most accurate e-filed returns finish in about 21 days, but any extra review can add time—pushing deposits into September for some filers.
Why isn’t my paper return showing in Where’s My Refund?
Paper returns can take around 4 weeks just to appear in the system. After that, they follow normal processing, which can extend your refund timeline.
I got an identity verification letter—when will I be paid?
After you complete identity verification, allow up to 9 weeks for final processing. Check Where’s My Refund after 2–3 weeks for an updated status.