IRS Tax Refunds Coming in September 2025 – Key Dates, Methods, and What to Expect

Even though tax season has passed, millions of Americans are still waiting for their IRS tax refunds—especially those who filed paper returns, amended their filings, or claimed credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit. If you’re one of them, September 2025 could be your month to finally see that money.

Let’s take a closer look at why refunds are still rolling out, what affects your timeline, and how you can track your payment.

Reasons

The IRS doesn’t send refunds as gifts—it’s simply returning your own overpaid taxes or credit balances. Here’s why you might be getting a refund now:

• Overpaid Taxes: If you had too much withheld from your pay or overpaid quarterly taxes, the IRS owes you that back.
• Tax Credits: Refundable credits like the EITC or ACTC (Additional Child Tax Credit) often boost refund amounts, especially for lower-income families.
• Stimulus or Adjustments: Some refunds include corrections or adjustments from prior years or IRS error reviews.
• Encouraging Filing: Fast refunds help promote timely and accurate tax filing.

Timeline

The time it takes to get your refund in September 2025 depends on how you filed and what kind of return it is. Here’s a breakdown:

Filing Type / Situation	Estimated Refund Time
E-filed return	Around 21 days
Paper return	Up to 8 weeks
Amended return (Form 1040-X)	Up to 16 weeks
Returns with EITC/ACTC	May take longer (manual review)
IRS correction or audit	Can take up to 6 months
Disaster-affected area return	Based on new deadline

So if you e-filed early, you may have already received your refund. But if you filed late or included special credits, you could still be in the queue this month.

Disaster

In 2025, the IRS extended deadlines for taxpayers in disaster-declared regions. Here’s how it impacts refunds:

• Texas flood victims: Extended filing through February 2026
• California wildfire areas: Filing extended until October 2025

If you’re in one of these regions, your refund will only be processed once your delayed return is submitted.

Tracking

Want to check your refund status? The IRS provides two main tools:

1. Where’s My Refund?

Available on the IRS website and updated daily. You’ll need:

• Your Social Security Number
• Your filing status
• Your exact refund amount

2. Phone Support

If you prefer calling:

• Standard returns: 800-829-1954
• Amended returns: 866-464-2050

These hotlines can give you general updates if you don’t want to use the website.

Direct

If your direct deposit was rejected (wrong info, closed account), here’s what happens:

• IRS will automatically switch to mailing you a paper check
• Expect 2–4 more weeks for the check to arrive
• Make sure your mailing address is up to date with the IRS

Average

According to IRS data, the average refund in 2025 is $3,116. But your refund might be more or less depending on:

• How much tax was withheld
• Whether you claimed credits (like EITC or Child Tax Credit)
• Your filing status and income
• Any adjustments or corrections by the IRS

Those with larger refunds—especially those involving credits—often face longer delays due to verification checks.

Tips

If you’re still waiting for your refund this September, here’s what you should do:

• Use Where’s My Refund? daily for updates
• Double-check your banking and personal information
• Be patient—especially for amended returns or manual credit reviews
• Avoid re-filing unless IRS tells you to do so

And keep in mind, digital processing will become the standard starting late 2025, meaning fewer paper checks and faster, more efficient refund processing.

Even though tax season feels long gone, September is still an important month for millions of refund payments. Whether you’re waiting due to an amended return, paper filing, or disaster relief extension, tracking your payment and staying updated through IRS tools can make all the difference.

FAQs