Where 2024 return processing stands

The IRS is processing 2024 returns, but the pace depends on how you filed and whether your return needs manual review. Returns filed electronically without errors move through in the normal timeframe — typically 21 days from acceptance to refund deposit, though the IRS says this can take longer during peak season. Paper returns and returns flagged for review take substantially longer, sometimes months.

The IRS publishes a weekly report on processing times and the number of returns in its queue. You can check the current backlog on IRS.gov under "Where's My Refund" or by calling 800-829-1040. The backlog fluctuates week to week, so a single snapshot does not tell you when your specific return will clear.

The main delays are not a single bottleneck but several overlapping ones: the IRS is still working through 2023 returns that were not processed before 2024 filing season began, staffing levels remain below pre-pandemic levels in some processing centers, and certain types of returns (those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, for example) require additional verification steps that cannot be automated.

Key Takeaways

  • Electronic returns without errors typically process within 21 days, but the IRS may take longer during peak season or if your return needs manual review.
  • Paper returns and returns flagged for identity verification or income discrepancies can take several months to process.
  • You can check your return status on IRS.gov using "Where's My Refund" or by calling 800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and filing status.
  • The IRS processes returns in the order received, so filing earlier in the season generally means faster processing than filing in April.
  • If your return requires manual review, the IRS will contact you by mail — not by phone or email — with next steps.

Why some 2024 returns are delayed

The IRS flags returns for manual review for several reasons. The most common are mismatches between what you report and what employers, banks, or the Social Security Administration reported to the IRS. If you claim a dependent the IRS does not have on record, report income that does not match a 1099 or W-2, or claim a credit that triggers verification rules, your return goes into a queue for a human reviewer.

Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC) are subject to mandatory verification under the Inflation Reduction Act. The IRS must contact you by mail to confirm your may be able to access before releasing your refund. This process alone can add four to eight weeks to processing time.

Paper returns are processed more slowly than electronic ones because they must be scanned and manually entered into the system. If the scan is unclear or the handwriting is hard to read, the return may be set aside for manual data entry, which adds weeks.

What to do while you wait

Check your return status using "Where's My Refund" on IRS.gov. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in a single day will not give you new information.

If "Where's My Refund" says your return is still being processed after 21 days from the date the IRS accepted it, do not contact the IRS yet — this is normal during peak season. If it has been more than 60 days since acceptance and the tool shows no progress, or if the tool says there is an issue with your return, call 800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time).

Have your return in front of you when you call. The IRS representative will ask for your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount to pull up your account. They can tell you whether your return is in the queue, whether it has been flagged for review, and what information the IRS needs from you if there is a problem.

If the IRS contacts you about your return

The IRS contacts taxpayers by mail, not by phone or email. If you receive a phone call or email claiming to be from the IRS about your return, it is a scam. Hang up or delete it.

A legitimate IRS letter will have an IRS address on the envelope and will explain what information they need or what discrepancy they found. The letter will include a important date (usually 30 days) to respond. You can respond by mail, by phone using the number in the letter, or through your IRS online account if you have one set up.

Common reasons for IRS contact are: a mismatch between your reported income and what an employer or bank reported; a dependent you claimed who does not match Social Security Administration records; or a credit you claimed that requires verification. Do not ignore the letter. If you miss the important date, the IRS will disallow the item in question and send you a bill or reduce your refund.

How filing method affects processing speed

Electronic filing is faster than paper filing. An electronically filed return is accepted within 24 hours and enters the processing queue when ready. A paper return must be physically mailed to an IRS processing center, scanned, and entered into the system — a process that can take two to four weeks before processing even begins.

Filing through a tax professional or tax software that offers e-file is the fastest route. If you filed on paper and have not received your refund after eight weeks, consider calling the IRS to confirm the return was received and scanned.

Direct deposit is faster than a paper check. If you chose direct deposit on your return, the refund goes to your bank account within one to two business days of the IRS releasing it. A paper check takes an additional five to seven business days to arrive by mail.

When to expect your refund in 2024

The IRS began accepting 2024 returns on January 29, 2024. Returns filed in early February typically process by mid-March. Returns filed in March and early April process through May and into June. Returns filed in April and May can take until July or August.

This timeline assumes your return has no errors and does not require manual review. If your return is flagged for verification or income matching, add four to twelve weeks to these estimates.

The IRS does not process returns in the order they are filed — it processes them in batches by type and complexity. A straightforward return filed in April may process faster than a complex return filed in February if the complex return requires manual review.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my 2024 return has been received by the IRS?

If you filed electronically, the IRS sends a confirmation email or text message within 24 hours of acceptance. If you filed on paper, there is no confirmation — you can only verify receipt by calling 800-829-1040 after two to four weeks and asking whether the return has been scanned into the system.

Can I file an amended return while my original 2024 return is still being processed?

You can file an amended return (Form 1040-X), but the IRS will not process it until your original return is complete. Filing an amended return while the original is pending can actually slow down your refund because both returns must be reconciled. Wait until your original return is processed before filing an amendment.

What if the IRS says my refund will arrive by a certain date and it does not?

"Where's My Refund" provides an estimated date, not a may provide. Delays happen due to bank processing times, mail delays, or last-minute issues the IRS discovers. If your refund is more than five business days late after the estimated date, contact your bank to confirm they have not received it, then call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Do I need to do anything if my return is taking longer than 21 days?

No action is needed during peak season if your return is still within the normal processing window (up to 60 days). Check "Where's My Refund" every few days. If it has been more than 60 days and the tool shows no progress, or if the tool displays an error message, call 800-829-1040 to speak with a representative.

Will I get interest if my refund is delayed?

The IRS does not pay interest on delayed refunds unless the delay is caused by an IRS error and the refund is more than 45 days late. Most delays during peak season are not considered IRS errors, so interest is not paid. If you believe the delay is due to an IRS mistake, ask about it when you call 800-829-1040.