Many people in the US are eagerly waiting for their tax refunds in 2025. A tax refund is money the government gives back if you’ve paid more taxes than needed. This usually happens if too much was deducted from your salary, or if you qualified for tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
Let’s understand who is likely to get their refund before May ends, how much people are getting back this year, and why some refunds might be delayed.
What Is a Tax Refund and Why Do You Get One?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) gives tax refunds when you’ve paid extra taxes during the year. This can be due to:
- More money deducted from your salary than needed.
- Big advance payments.
- Extra benefits like the EITC or CTC.
In 2025, the average refund amount is $3,116, which is about 3.5% higher than last year. The increase is mainly due to inflation changes and more people qualifying for tax credits.
Who Will Get Their Tax Refund by End of May 2025?
Not everyone will receive their refund by the end of May. Whether you get it early depends on how you filed your tax return.
1. People Who Filed Online Without Delays
If you filed your Form 1040 electronically between April 5 and 10, and didn’t claim any special credits like the EITC or CTC, you’re likely to get your refund between May 28 and 31, 2025. These types of filings are simple for the IRS to process.
2. Simple Returns Filed Near the Deadline
People who filed their returns close to the April 15 deadline, using just their W-2 income and standard deduction, are also in luck. These simple returns usually get processed within 21 business days, so refunds for these people should come by the end of May if there are no issues.
3. Returns With Small Fixes
Some tax returns have small problems like a wrong Social Security number. If these were corrected quickly, the IRS can still issue refunds on time. As long as no further manual checks are needed, you could get your refund before May ends.
Who Will NOT Get Their Refund in May?
Some taxpayers will have to wait longer for their money. Here’s why:
- People claiming the EITC or CTC will not get refunds in May because of the PATH Act. The IRS needs more time to check these claims to stop fraud. These refunds are usually sent in February or March.
- Paper return filers will also wait longer. Even if there are no mistakes, these returns can take six months or more to process.
- If you owe back taxes, the IRS might delay your refund until that amount is cleared.
Tax Refunds Growing in 2025
More and more people are using digital methods to file taxes. In 2025, the IRS expects to send 64.7 million refunds via direct deposit, which is a 2% increase from 2024. The total amount refunded will be around $206.25 billion, compared to $195.90 billion last year.
Also, the IRS is doing a good job. They process 90% of simple online returns in less than 21 days. But more complicated cases may take longer.
Why Refund Amounts Are Increasing
The average refund is up because of inflation updates in tax rules. Credits like the Child Tax Credit may be worth more in 2025, so families with kids could get more money back. This also explains the 3.5% jump in average refund amounts.
If you filed your taxes online, didn’t claim withheld credits, and had a simple return, there’s a good chance your tax refund will arrive before May ends. But if your return included special credits, was filed on paper, or had errors, your refund could take longer. The good news is that the IRS is processing more refunds than before and giving back slightly more money to taxpayers this year.
By using online filing and direct deposit, taxpayers can avoid unnecessary delays. It’s always a good idea to check the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool for updates if you’re waiting.
