IRS Tax Refunds September 2025 – Why Your Check Or Deposit Could Be Coming This Month

For millions of Americans, the wait for their IRS tax refund has stretched longer than expected in 2025. While many filers already received their refunds earlier in the year, some are still waiting.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) confirmed that refunds for the 2024 tax year are continuing to be issued throughout September 2025, primarily for those whose returns required extra processing or who filed later in the season.

This guide explains why refunds are still being processed in September, how to track your money, and what new rules—like the end of paper checks—mean for taxpayers.

Why Some Refunds Are Delayed Until September

Most taxpayers who filed electronically and requested direct deposit received their refunds within the typical 21-day window. However, several groups of taxpayers may still be waiting until September 2025:

• Paper filers, whose returns take 4–8 weeks to process.
• Returns flagged for manual review due to errors or inconsistencies.
• Taxpayers claiming credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), which require extra verification.
• Individuals who filed later, in July or August 2025.
• Those with refund offsets, where part of the refund is used to pay overdue federal or state debts.

Additionally, taxpayers who filed an extension until October 15, 2025, may start seeing refunds in September or October, depending on when they submitted.

IRS Refund Payment Transition – New September Deadline

A major change takes effect in September 2025: the IRS will no longer issue paper checks for refunds after September 30, 2025.

This change is part of Executive Order 14247, which mandates electronic disbursements for most federal payments. The shift is meant to:

• Reduce fraud and theft, as paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen.
• Ensure faster delivery through direct deposit.
• Save the government money by cutting administrative costs.

How IRS Refunds Are Paid

Taxpayers now have multiple electronic options for receiving refunds.

Payment Method	Processing Time	Details
Direct Deposit	1–3 business days after issue	Fastest, most secure; requires accurate banking info.
Debit Card / Fintech Account	3–5 business days	Funds can be loaded onto prepaid or app-based accounts.
Paper Check (ending Sept 30, 2025)	1–3 weeks, higher risk	Being phased out due to fraud and delays.

Why Your Refund Could Still Be Pending

If your refund hasn’t arrived yet, some common reasons include:

• Errors: Incorrect Social Security numbers or mismatched information.
• Missing Documentation: Returns missing forms like W-2s or 1099s require manual review.
• PATH Act Rules: Refunds involving refundable credits are legally delayed to prevent fraud.
• Overpayment Adjustments: If IRS corrections found errors, it can change the refund amount.

Eligibility Requirements for Refunds

To qualify for a refund, taxpayers must:

• File a 2024 tax return by the April 15, 2025 deadline (or October 15 with an extension).
• Pay all taxes owed by April 15 to avoid penalties.
• Accurately report income, credits, and deductions.

Refunds are generated when withholdings or tax payments exceed total liability, or when refundable credits apply.

If you still haven’t received your IRS tax refund by now, don’t panic—many taxpayers will see payments issued throughout September 2025. Delays often stem from late filings, manual reviews, or refundable credits requiring extra checks.

The key takeaway: make sure your information is correct, opt for direct deposit, and use IRS tools to stay updated.

With the end of paper checks on September 30, electronic payments will soon be the only option—safer, faster, and more reliable for taxpayers nationwide.

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