It is already possible to file and pay your taxes for the 2021 tax year. The deadline for doing so isn’t until April 15 2022, but you can get ahead of the rest by filing now. As we’ll explain below, this could see any tax refunds due paid out to you sooner.
How long do tax refunds take to be paid?
Should you be eligible for a tax refund, it generally takes less than 21 days for the refund to be paid. This clock starts from the date when this amount is agreed with the IRS.
If you file online, you can check the status of your return to see if you are due a refund so long as 24 hours have passed from the time you filed. This can be done on the IRS2Go app or through Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov.
If you file by post, though, then you may have to wait around four weeks before you receive an update on your tax return’s status.
In either case, the tax refunds will eventually be paid to you.
They explain that setting yourself up on direct deposit can give you access to any potential refunds faster than a paper check.
For this specific year, it is also advised that you ensure your tax data is 100 percent correct when considering any Economic Impact Payment or Plus-Up Payments received. This can avoid what the IRS calls “processing delays”, which can slow down the tax refund process.
