Most taxpayers share the common goal of receiving their IRS tax refund as soon as possible. A quick arrival of your tax refund benefits you when you need it for savings, reducing debt, or making large purchases. A minor error or skipped procedure might push back your refund for several weeks.
SGINC CPA allows clients to submit their tax filings efficiently and without mistakes. This article explains how you can receive your IRS refund faster in 2025 through practical advice from experienced CPAs.
How much time should taxpayers expect before receiving their refund from the IRS?
Let’s start with the IRS’s general timeline:
- E-file + Direct Deposit: Refund in less than 21 days (approx)
- E-file + Paper Check: Refund in 3–4 weeks (approx)
- Paper Filing + Check: Refund in 6–8 weeks or longer
10 Ways to Speed Up Your IRS Tax Refund
✅ 1. File Early
Filing early stands out as the simplest method which delivers the best results. The IRS begins to process tax returns starting in mid-January through late January. By filing your return during the first week you avoid the late-season backlog which delays processing.
Why it works: Those who file their returns early experience fewer delays and bypass IRS processing backlogs.
✅ 2. E-File Your Return
Sending your tax return electronically provides a speedier, more secure, and precise alternative compared to traditional paper submissions. The IRS reports that e-filed tax returns experience fewer errors and receive faster processing than paper submissions.
Bonus Tip from SGINCCPA: When you file through a tax professional like us we can electronically submit your tax documents and identify potential IRS review triggers.
✅ 3. Choose Direct Deposit
Opt to receive your refund through direct deposit into your bank account instead of choosing a paper check. IRS refunds arrive more rapidly through direct deposit because postal mail service delays are eliminated.
The IRS allows taxpayers to direct their refunds to several types of accounts including checking and savings accounts or retirement accounts through Form 8888.
✅ 4. Double-Check for Common Errors
Mistakes like these often delay refunds:
- Incorrect Social Security numbers
- Misspelled names
- Wrong bank account or routing numbers
- Miscalculations and the absence of required tax documents such as 1099s or W-2s can delay your refund.
- Incorrect filing status such as Head of Household instead of Single can cause refund delays. Single)
SGINC CPA Tip: We conduct a detailed review process to identify and fix these mistakes before your return reaches the IRS.
✅ 5. Avoid Filing With Incomplete Documents
A common mistake taxpayers make is to file their returns in January using only their W-2 forms before receiving their 1099s and brokerage statements. Filing your tax return before gathering all necessary documents could force you to submit an amended return which postpones your refund.
Pro Strategy: Self-employed individuals and those receiving investment income should refrain from filing taxes until early February to collect all necessary tax forms.
✅ 6. Be Cautious With Certain Tax Credits
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) provide substantial benefits to those who qualify yet they can postpone your tax refund. By law the IRS must retain these refunds until mid-February.
Your refund will probably be received earlier if you don’t depend on these credits.
✅ 7. Track Your Refund Status
IRS.gov provides the “Where’s My Refund?” tool and the IRS2Go mobile app for tracking your refund status. You’ll need:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your filing status
- The exact refund amount
- The tool performs daily updates during overnight hours and displays your return status as either Received, Approved, or Sent.
✅ 8. Avoid Paper Filing and Manual Signatures
Filing your return by mail creates a delay since the IRS might reject it due to unreadable handwriting or missing signatures. The IRS flags paper returns more frequently for manual review than electronic ones.
Digital submission with electronic signatures ensures your paperwork moves forward without delay.
✅ 9. Watch for IRS Identity Verification Notices
Those who previously encountered problems like identity theft or incorrect personal information may receive requests from the IRS for identity confirmation through either Form 5071C or the ID.me portal. Until you verify, your refund is frozen.
SGINC CPA actively tracks these risk factors to stop holds from occurring.
✅ 10. Use a Trusted CPA Like SGINCCPA
A qualified CPA helps eliminate errors and provides valuable tax planning advice to maximize your refund or reduce your tax debt.
At SGINC CPA, we:
Review all documents for accuracy
- Submit your return securely and quickly
- Monitor refund timelines
- We manage all IRS interactions and address any reporting mistakes for you.
⏳ What If Your Refund Is Delayed?
Contact the IRS after 21 days if your refund remains uncredited to your account.
Check the “Where’s My Refund?” portal
Call the IRS at 800-829-1040
File Form 3911 when you receive confirmation of your refund yet have not received any funds.