IRS $3,000 Tax Refunds Are Hitting Bank Accounts in June 2025   Here’s Who Gets Paid and When

With tax season in the rearview, millions of Americans are now keeping an eye on their bank accounts as the IRS begins issuing 2025 tax refunds. Most of the action is happening through direct deposit, though mailed checks and paper return processing are also underway.

Despite limited staffing and budget cuts, the IRS has confirmed that the bulk of returns filed in May 2025 are being reviewed and scheduled for payment throughout June. Those who filed online and chose direct deposit are expected to see their refunds land first.

When Will Tax Refunds Arrive?

The timing of your refund depends largely on how and when you filed. The IRS has outlined the following timeline based on recent returns:

If you filed between May 1 and May 15:

• E-file + direct deposit: refunds expected May 22 – June 4
• E-file + mailed check: refunds expected May 29 – June 11
• Paper filing: refunds expected June 26 – July 10

If you filed between May 16 and May 31:

• E-file + direct deposit: refunds expected June 6 – June 19
• E-file + mailed check: refunds expected June 13 – June 26
• Paper filing: refunds expected July 11 – July 25

As in previous years, electronic filing with direct deposit remains the fastest way to get paid typically within 21 days of submission.

How Much is the Average Refund?

This year, most Americans getting a refund from the IRS are seeing an average of about $2,939 a bit higher than what they got back last year. But that number isn’t set in stone.

What you’ll receive depends on a few key things: how much you earned in 2024, how much was withheld from your paycheck, whether you qualified for tax credits or deductions, and if your return was filled out correctly.

At the end of the day, your refund is just the extra money you paid the government during the year and now it’s being sent back.

What Could Delay Your Refund?

Some taxpayers are still waiting mainly because of manual processing requirements or simple filing errors. Common reasons for delays include:

• Typos or mismatched data
• Missing documents or incomplete forms
• Incorrect direct deposit details
• Paper returns which must be reviewed by hand
• Identity verification triggers

The IRS is working through these returns, but it’s a slower process, especially with reduced staff and backlogs from earlier in the year.

How to Track Your Refund

To stay updated, use the IRS’s official Where’s My Refund? tool at irs.gov. You’ll need:

• Social Security number
• Filing status
• Exact refund amount

The tracker will show whether your return has been:

• Received
• Approved
• Sent

Keep in mind that paper filers may need to wait up to four weeks before their status appears in the system.

The IRS began accepting tax returns in January, and while most refunds for May filers are now moving, timing still depends on how you filed. If your return was complete, filed online, and had correct bank info, you’re likely to see your refund before June ends.

To avoid issues next year, the IRS advises filing early, double-checking your return, and opting for electronic direct deposit.