The IRS started accepting 2024 tax returns on Jan. 27, and the agency posted the first statistics from tax season 2025 last Friday, Feb. 7. This year's numbers show that the agency has already processed more than 11 million returns and issued more than 3.

There are three status updates which the taxpayer might see: “received return,” “refund approved,” or “refund sent.” If the refund has been sent, it could be up to 5 days before the money shows up in your bank account or a few weeks before your check has been received.

The IRS says the easiest and most efficient way to file and receive a refund is through electronic filing and direct deposit, with 3 ways to check refund status