Few things test your patience like waiting on a tax refund, especially when you were counting on the money. The good news is that most delays have simple explanations, and the tools to check on a refund are free and easy to use. Here is what to expect, and what you can and cannot do to move things along.

How long a refund should take

For a return filed electronically, the IRS says it issues most refunds in less than 21 days, and you can start checking the status about 24 hours after you e-file. Choosing direct deposit rather than a mailed paper check is the single easiest way to get your money sooner.

Paper returns are much slower. If you mailed a return, it can take around four weeks before it even shows up in the system, and processing takes longer from there. If you are still deciding how to file next time, that gap is the argument for e-filing with direct deposit.

Common reasons a refund is delayed

A refund that runs past the usual window is often held up by one of a few things, according to the IRS:

  • Errors or mismatches. A math mistake, a missing signature, or income that does not match what an employer reported can all pause processing while the IRS sorts it out.
  • Certain tax credits. Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit get extra anti-fraud review, and by law the IRS holds those refunds until mid-February.
  • Identity verification. If a return is flagged as possible identity theft, the IRS may ask you to confirm who you are before releasing the refund, which adds time.
  • Amended returns. Correcting a return you already filed means the IRS has to compare versions, and those take considerably longer.

Check the status before you call

The fastest way to find out where your refund is stands is the IRS's own free tool, Where's My Refund, available on the IRS website and through the IRS2Go mobile app. You will need your Social Security number, your filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

One thing worth knowing: the tool updates only once a day, usually overnight. Checking it every few hours will not reveal anything new, and it will not make the refund come faster.

When and how to reach a human

If the tool points to a problem, asks you to take action, or you suspect identity theft, it is reasonable to call. The main IRS line for individuals is 800-829-1040. Be prepared for a wait, which can be long during filing season, and know that the automated system may offer a callback rather than keeping you on hold. Having your return and any IRS letters in front of you before you call will save time.

For problems that stay stuck, the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent office within the IRS, can help taxpayers facing hardship or delays they cannot resolve through normal channels.

What you cannot speed up

This is the part people like least: if your return is simply working through normal processing, or is under review for credits or identity checks, there is no button, and no phone call, that will push it to the front of the line. The IRS generally cannot expedite a refund for financial hardship alone.

What you can control is the filing itself. Filing electronically, choosing direct deposit, double-checking your numbers, and entering complete and accurate information the first time are what prevent most delays. After that, the honest advice is to check the status online, call only if something looks wrong, and wait. This article is informational and general in nature, not tax advice; for your own situation, consult a qualified tax professional or the IRS directly.