Want To Get Your Tax Refund Quicker in 2025? Follow These 6 Tips From the IRS
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Tax Day is just around the corner. According to the IRS, the average federal income tax refund amount as of March 14 was $3,271 — a large amount of cash that can make a big difference in your budget.
Gather Tax-Related Documents
Before sitting down to do your taxes, gather all of your important tax-related documents. This includes W-2s, 1099s, paperwork for tax deductions or credits, last year’s tax return and other tax forms. The IRS also recommends checking your IRS Individual Online Account to view your forms under the Records and Status tab.
Make Sure Everything Is Correct
Even a small mistake can cause issues with your tax refund.
Double-check everything before submitting your tax return. A new CNET survey found that one of the top fears for taxpayers (25%) is making a mistake on taxes, which can lead to delays and potentially an IRS audit. In 2023, the IRS closed 582,944 tax return audits, resulting in $31.9 billion in recommended additional tax payments.
Some of the most common errors to avoid include:
- Missing or inaccurate Social Security numbers
- Misspelled names
- Incorrect filing status
- Math mistake
- Figuring credits or deductions
- Incorrect bank account information
- Unsigned forms
- Filing with an expired individual tax identification number
Use Electronic Filing
The IRS recommends electronic filing if you want your tax refund quickly. A refund for a paper tax return can take six to eight weeks, whereas e-filing can take less than 21 days.
There are even free filing methods available, such as IRS Free File, Free File Fillable Forms and Direct File. E-filing helps reduce mathematical errors, identify tax credits and deductions and notifies you if you’ve missed important information.
Select Direct Deposit
Direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to receive a tax refund.
Instead of waiting for a paper check in the mail, which can take weeks and is more prone to delays or theft, your refund is deposited directly into your bank account, often within 21 days of filing.
Report All Taxable Income
Report all taxable income to avoid discrepancies on your tax return. If you fail to report your income accurately, it could also result in penalties and interest.
The IRS says taxable income can come from various sources, including wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, interest earnings, unemployment benefits and digital assets.
Sign and Date the Return
Make sure you sign and date the return before filing your tax return. If you’re filing a joint return, both spouses must sign and date.
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