Timeline for 2020 tax refunds

If you filed your 2020 tax return in 2021, the IRS aimed to process most refunds within 21 days of receipt. In practice, most refunds arrived between three and five weeks after filing, though some took longer depending on how you filed and how you wanted the money delivered.

The 21-day target was the IRS's standard processing window, but that clock started only after the agency received your return. If you mailed a paper return, add one to two weeks for postal delivery before processing even began. If you filed electronically, the clock started almost immediately.

By mid-2021, the IRS was still working through a backlog from 2020 filings, so some refunds that should have arrived in three weeks took six to eight weeks instead. The agency had also paused processing of certain returns — those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit — to verify identity and prevent fraud, which added weeks or months to those cases.

Key Takeaways

  • Electronic filing with direct deposit was the fastest route, typically delivering refunds in three to five weeks from the filing date.
  • Paper returns took one to two weeks to reach the IRS by mail, then another three to five weeks to process, for a total of four to seven weeks.
  • Refunds by check took longer than direct deposit because the IRS had to print and mail the check after processing your return.
  • Returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit faced identity verification delays that could add four to twelve weeks.
  • The IRS processing backlog in 2021 meant some 2020 refunds took significantly longer than the standard 21-day window.

Direct deposit versus check delivery

Direct deposit was consistently faster. When you chose direct deposit on your return, the IRS could deposit money into your bank account as soon as processing was complete — usually within three to five weeks of filing electronically. The money then appeared in your account within one to two business days of the IRS sending it, depending on your bank.

A check took longer because the IRS had to print it, prepare it for mailing, and send it through the postal service. After the IRS finished processing your return, you could expect the check to arrive in the mail within seven to ten business days. If you lived far from the IRS processing center or the postal service was slow in your area, it could take longer.

If you filed on paper and requested a check, the timeline stretched further: one to two weeks for mail delivery to the IRS, three to five weeks for processing, then another seven to ten days for the check to reach you — a total of six to eight weeks or more.

How filing method affected your timeline

Electronic filing was faster than paper filing at every stage. When you filed electronically through tax software or a tax professional, the IRS received your return within hours and could begin processing immediately. Paper returns sat in a mail pile for one to two weeks before anyone at the IRS opened them.

If you used a tax professional or tax software that offered e-filing, that was your fastest option. If you filed on paper yourself, you added delay at the beginning. By 2021, the IRS was actively encouraging electronic filing because the backlog of paper returns was severe — some paper returns from early 2021 were not processed until summer or fall.

The IRS also offered a tool called "Where's My Refund?" on its website, which worked only for electronically filed returns. If you filed on paper, you could not track your refund online and had to call the IRS or wait for a notice in the mail.

Why some 2020 refunds took much longer

The IRS faced an enormous backlog in 2021. The agency was understaffed, many employees were working remotely, and paper returns piled up faster than they could be processed. Returns filed in January 2021 for the 2020 tax year sometimes were not processed until June or July.

Certain returns were flagged for additional review. If your return claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS held it for identity verification to prevent fraud. This added four to twelve weeks to processing time. The IRS sent a notice asking you to verify your identity, and you had to respond before processing could continue.

Returns with errors or missing information also took longer. If you forgot to sign the return, left a line blank, or reported income that did not match what the IRS had on file from employers or banks, the agency set the return aside and sent you a notice. You then had to correct the error and send the return back, which added weeks.

Tracking your 2020 refund status

The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool was the official way to check on an electronically filed return. You could access it on the IRS website (irs.gov) and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. The tool updated once per day, usually overnight.

The tool showed one of three statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS had your return but had not finished processing), "Refund Approved" (processing was complete and the refund was on its way), or "Refund Sent" (the money had been deposited or a check had been mailed). If your return was held for review, the tool would show that status and tell you to expect a notice in the mail.

For paper returns, you could not use the online tool. You had to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative, or wait for a notice. The IRS was extremely busy in 2021, so phone wait times were often several hours.

What to do if your refund was delayed

If your refund did not arrive within five to six weeks of filing electronically, or eight weeks of mailing a paper return, you could contact the IRS. Before you did, check "Where's My Refund?" to see if processing was still underway or if a notice had been sent to you.

If the tool showed "Refund Sent" but the money had not arrived in your bank account after two business days, contact your bank. The IRS may have sent the deposit, but your bank might have rejected it (for example, if the account number was wrong) or delayed it. Your bank can tell you whether the deposit arrived and where it went.

If the tool showed your return was held for review or if you received a notice from the IRS, follow the instructions in the notice. Do not call the IRS unless the notice tells you to — the agency was so backlogged in 2021 that calling without a specific reason just added to wait times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my 2020 refund take so long when I filed in early 2021?

The IRS faced a severe backlog in 2021 due to staffing shortages and a large volume of paper returns. Electronically filed returns were processed faster, but even those sometimes took six to eight weeks instead of the standard three to five weeks. Paper returns could take three to four months or longer.

Can I get my refund faster if I pay a tax preparer?

No. The IRS processes returns at the same speed regardless of who prepared them. A tax preparer can file your return electronically, which is faster than mailing a paper return, but the IRS processing time is the same. Some tax preparers offer refund advances or loans, but those are separate products and cost money.

What if I filed electronically but my refund went to the wrong bank account?

Contact your bank first to see if the deposit arrived and was rejected or sent to a different account. If your bank did not receive it, contact the IRS through "Where's My Refund?" or call 1-800-829-1040. You will need to provide the correct account information, and the IRS will reissue the refund, which takes another two to four weeks.

Do I need to do anything if my refund is taking longer than expected?

Check "Where's My Refund?" first. If it shows your return is still being processed or held for review, wait — calling the IRS will not speed it up. If the tool shows "Refund Sent" but you have not received it after two business days, contact your bank. If you received a notice from the IRS, follow the instructions in the notice.

What happens if the IRS lost my paper return?

This was rare but possible during the 2021 backlog. If you mailed a return and never received a notice or refund after three months, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the amount you expected to receive ready. The IRS can search for your return and, if it cannot find it, help you file an amended return.