The fastest way to get a tax refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit.
Things that can delay a refund:
- The return has errors, is incomplete or is affected by identity theft or fraud.
- The return needs a correction to the child tax credit or recovery rebate credit amount.
- The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit, additional child tax credit, or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.
- The time it takes a taxpayer’s bank or credit union to post the refund to the taxpayer’s account.
The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if it needs more information to process their return.