Did you file your income tax return for tax year 2025 in May? If yes, then the month of July might be much more special for you. At this time, millions of taxpayers in America will most likely receive their $3,000 tax refund. But do you know when your refund will come? How will it come? And what do you do if it doesn’t come?
This article stands to remind you of all that: how the IRS operates refunds, what the difference is between e-filing and paper filing, and all the ways to track one’s refund status.
E-filing vs Paper filing: Which is faster, which is slow?
Of course, it’s the modern world, but most people still prefer going in person to file via paper. The process is delayed, too, because the IRS has to check the documents manually, and this may take time before the refund becomes available.
On the other hand, e-filing is not just faster, but with direct deposit, it can land into your bank account within weeks, provided there are no errors during filing or further scrutiny is needed.
Refund timeline: When does it come in July?
If you filed your tax returns from May 1 to May 31, 2025, expect to receive your refund come July.
For those who filed returns between May 1 and May 15:
- Paper filing: Estimated payment date: June 26 to July 10, 2025
- E-filing (direct deposit): Cash is between May 22 and June 4, but if the cash hasn’t yet arrived, it could be available by the first week of July.
- E-filing (check by mail): Estimated payment date: May 29 to June 11. Due to postal delays, this might arrive in the first 10 days of July.
For those who filed between May 16 and May 31:
- Paper filing: Refund expected July 11-25, 2025
- E-filing (direct deposit): June 6 to June 19, so funds should be there by about mid-July if one is delayed
- E-filing (check by mail): Check receipt dates: June 13 to June 26. If there is a mail delay, the check may arrive by the third week.
What would be your average refund?
According to the IRS’s most recent report, the average refund that taxpayers will be making this time is around $2,939. But that varies depending on many important aspects:
- Your annual income.
- The tax slab you fall in.
- How many deductions have you claimed.
- Whether advance tax has been paid.
Typing errors, wrong bank information, or incomplete details in the return may cause a delay in refunds.
By this much, how far has the refund reached? This way, check the status
Many times, you’d find one worried that my refund has not been received or if it has, why not. In such condition, the most trusted handyman of the IRS is the “Where’s My refund?” tool. This is a sort of check of its status through the IRS website.
- You have to fill three things in it:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN)
- The Filing Status (like single, married etc.)
E-filers get to know their status quickly, while the paper filers may take as long as four weeks to get that information.
Refund not received, even in July? Then do these 4 things
And if you did categorize your taxes correctly and then in mid-July found you still had not received your refund, do not just panic. Do the following:
- Check your bank account – sometimes, money is there but there’s no notice.
- Call up your local post office – for those who went for a check, postal delays are common.
- Call the IRS helpline – know your status by calling 1-800-829-1040.
Both these online tools prove to be very helpful: “Where’s My Refund?” or “my Social Security.”
Conclusion: Have patience, money will come.
If you declared your taxes in the month of May 2025, the chances are almost certain that by July 2025, you will have your money. Just ensure proper information furnishing, priority in favor of e-filing, and timely checking back with correct sources if there are delays.
Although the IRS process is transparent and streamlined, it also happens for a few unlucky individuals that they may have some delays, particularly if they try to use paper filings or if their files echo defects.
This was like a clear, realistic timeline in understanding the when and hows so that there is no unnecessary worrying while waiting for refunds.