Get Your Tax Refund Faster with These Filing Strategies

Tax season just got a turbocharger—if you know where to look.

Electronic Filing: The Express Lane

Paper returns move at glacial speeds. E-filing bypasses the mailroom shuffle entirely, cutting processing time by weeks. Direct deposit slashes another delay—no waiting for checks to clear.

Accuracy Over Everything

One typo triggers manual review. That's a bureaucratic black hole where refunds disappear for months. Double-check every digit—the IRS computers don't forgive.

Timing Is (Almost) Everything

File early, beat the rush. But if you're claiming certain credits, the system holds those returns until mid-February anyway—because apparently, some fraud prevention requires making everyone wait.

The Documentation Trap

Have your forms ready before you start. W-2s, 1099s, deduction receipts—hunting them down mid-filing is how deadlines get missed. Organize like your refund depends on it.

Pro tip: Track your refund with the IRS tool. It won't make it arrive faster, but at least you'll watch the bureaucracy move in real time.

Because nothing says 'financial system efficiency' like waiting months for your own money—unless you're a bank, then it's just called 'float.'

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Tax filing season has started, and to get a refund quickly, taxpayers need to submit their 2025 tax returns accurately, and typically, electronically.
• The "One Big Beautiful Bill" made changes to the tax code that will give many taxpayers larger refunds.
• These changes, along with major layoffs that affected the IRS in 2025, may delay some taxpayers' returns.

The 2026 tax filing season officially started Tuesday, and you'll want to submit your tax return as soon as possible, without mistakes, to avoid delays in your refund.

The IRS began processing 2025 tax returns on Tuesday. Experts say the earlier and more accurate you file, the faster you'll get your return. Once you submit your tax return electronically, it will take up to 21 days for the IRS to process your refund.

"Filing a complete and accurate return should always be the goal," said Enrolled Agent Kesha Dawson Harris. "The best time to file to receive [a fast refund] is when you have all your documents together, you have received all the income documents from all sources of income."

Important

Even if a taxpayer files their 2025 tax returns now, anyone who claims the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit should expect to receive their refund sometime between mid-February and March 3. Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS holds refunds for taxpayers who claim EITC and ACTC for several weeks to detect and prevent errors and fraud.

This tax year is defined by the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which retroactively impacts all 2025 taxes. New and boosted tax credits and deductions, such as the "no tax on tips" and the "senior deduction," are expected to increase refunds for many taxpayers.

“This year’s tax refund season is shaping up to be bigger than usual. The new fiscal bill packed in a variety of tax cuts for consumers,” Heather Berger, U.S. Economist at Morgan Stanley, said on the financial services company's analysis podcast. “Overall, we’re expecting these changes to increase refunds by 15% to 20% on average.”

Why This Matters

With thousands of layoffs at the IRS in 2025 and changes to the tax code from the "One Big Beautiful Bill," the 2026 filing season is expected to be marked by significant delays. Submitting your tax return early and with no mistakes will help you get your refund quickly.

How To Get A Faster Refund

To receive a refund quickly, taxpayers should ensure they have all their documents before beginning the filing process. If something is wrong on the tax return, such as the number of dependents or the amount of additional income received in 2025, it can take longer for the IRS to issue a refund.

"On average, I've seen refunds take seven to 14 days, said Dawson Harris. "But [sometimes refunds take] 21 days because there's an issue... Maybe there was a math error, or maybe there's a hold on your account because there's a debt that you owe."

RELATED EDUCATION

Taxpayers can also file electronically to get a quick refund. If you mail in a paper return, it can take up to 6 weeks to receive your refund, compared to less than 3 weeks for an e-filed return.

Receiving refunds through a direct deposit is also the fastest way for taxpayers to get their refund. Taxpayers can provide their bank account information on their tax return to automatically set up direct deposit for their refund.