Chime deposits most tax refunds within one to two business days of the IRS sending the money to Chime's bank partner

The speed depends on when the IRS releases the refund to Chime, not on Chime itself. The IRS processes refunds on its own schedule—typically 21 days from the date you file, though it can be faster or slower depending on how you filed and whether your return needs review. Once the IRS transfers the money to Chime's bank partner, Chime usually posts it to your account by the next business day, sometimes the same day.

If you chose direct deposit on your tax return and listed your Chime account number and routing number, the refund goes straight to Chime. If you did not use direct deposit when you filed, you cannot redirect a refund to Chime after the fact—you would receive a check or have to wait for the IRS to issue a new payment method.

The actual deposit time also depends on what time of day the IRS sends the transfer and whether it arrives on a weekend or holiday. A refund that hits Chime's bank on a Friday afternoon might not show in your account until Monday morning.

Key Takeaways

  • Chime deposits refunds one to two business days after the IRS sends the money, which usually happens 21 days after you file.
  • You must have chosen direct deposit to your Chime account when you filed your tax return—you cannot change the deposit method after filing.
  • Refunds that arrive on weekends or holidays may not post until the next business day.
  • You can check the status of your refund on the IRS website using the Where's My Refund tool, which updates once per day.
  • If your refund does not arrive within two business days of the IRS sending it, contact Chime support to investigate a possible delay.

How to track your refund before it reaches Chime

The IRS publishes refund status on its Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. You need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight, so checking multiple times in one day will not show new information.

The tool shows three possible statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but has not finished processing), "Approved" (the IRS has approved your refund and is preparing to send it), and "Sent" (the IRS has sent the refund to your bank). When the status changes to "Sent," the tool also shows the expected deposit date—this is when Chime should receive the money.

If you filed by mail, the IRS takes longer to process your return because it has to scan and enter the information manually. Mail-filed returns typically take 4 to 6 weeks before the IRS even begins processing, compared to 21 days for e-filed returns.

What happens after the IRS sends your refund to Chime

Once the IRS status shows "Sent" with a deposit date, the refund is on its way to Chime's bank partner. Chime does not control the IRS's timeline, but it does control how quickly it posts the money once the bank receives it. Chime's standard practice is to post refunds within one business day of receipt.

In some cases, Chime may post the refund the same day it arrives, especially if the transfer comes in during business hours. Weekend and holiday delays are common—if the IRS sends your refund on a Friday after 5 p.m. Eastern time, Chime's bank may not process it until Monday, and Chime may not post it to your account until Tuesday morning.

Chime does not charge a fee for receiving a tax refund, and the money goes into your primary Chime checking account automatically.

What to do if your refund is late

If the IRS status tool shows "Sent" with a deposit date that has passed, and the money is not in your Chime account, wait one more business day before taking action. Delays of one to two days after the expected date are common and usually resolve on their own.

If the money still has not arrived after two business days past the expected deposit date, contact Chime support through the app or by phone. Have your IRS refund status page open when you call—Chime will ask for the expected deposit date and the refund amount. Chime can check whether the bank received the transfer and investigate why it has not posted to your account.

If Chime confirms the bank never received the transfer, the problem is with the IRS, not Chime. In that case, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or through the IRS website. The IRS can reissue your refund by check or investigate whether the transfer was sent to the wrong account.

Common reasons refunds take longer than expected

The IRS may hold your return for review if certain items trigger an audit flag—for example, claiming a large Earned Income Tax Credit, reporting business losses, or having inconsistencies between your return and IRS records. A review can add 30 to 60 days to processing time. The IRS will contact you by mail if this happens.

If you claimed a refund offset—meaning the IRS withheld part of your refund to pay back taxes, student loans, or child support—the refund will be smaller than you expected, and the delay may be longer. The IRS coordinates with other agencies before releasing the refund, which can add one to two weeks.

If you filed an amended return (Form 1040-X), processing takes much longer than a regular return. Amended returns are processed manually and typically take 16 weeks or more.

Chime's refund advance feature

Chime offers a service called SpotMe Boost that can advance part of your tax refund before the IRS sends it. This is not the same as getting your refund early—it is a loan against your expected refund. Chime charges interest on the advance, and the amount is limited based on your account history and the expected refund size.

To use SpotMe Boost, you must have a Chime checking account in good standing and have already filed your tax return with direct deposit to Chime. The advance is not automatic; you have to request it through the Chime app. Chime will show you the maximum advance amount and the interest cost before you accept.

The advance is deposited to your account immediately, but you will owe the interest fee when your actual refund arrives. If your refund is smaller than expected, you may end up owing Chime money. Read the terms carefully before accepting an advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my refund to go to Chime if I did not use direct deposit when I filed?

No. The refund will go to whatever account or address you listed on your tax return. If you did not use direct deposit, you will receive a check by mail. You cannot redirect a refund after filing. For next year, make sure to list your Chime account number and routing number on your return if you want direct deposit.

Why does the IRS website say my refund was sent, but Chime has not received it yet?

The IRS updates its status once per day, usually overnight, so there is a lag between when the IRS actually sends the transfer and when the website reflects it. The transfer may take one to two business days to reach Chime's bank after the status changes to "Sent." Wait until the expected deposit date has passed before contacting Chime.

Does Chime charge a fee to receive my tax refund?

No. Chime does not charge any fee for receiving a tax refund by direct deposit. The money goes into your checking account free of charge. If you use SpotMe Boost to advance part of your refund, you will pay interest on the advance amount only.

What is Chime's routing number for my tax return?

Chime's routing number is 065400137. Your account number is the 10-digit number shown on your Chime debit card or in the app under account details. Double-check both numbers before submitting your tax return to avoid sending your refund to the wrong account.

If my refund is split between Chime and another account, will both deposits arrive at the same time?

Not necessarily. If you split your refund between Chime and another bank, the IRS sends both transfers at the same time, but the other bank may process it faster or slower than Chime. Chime typically posts within one business day, but the other bank could take longer. Check both accounts separately to confirm receipt.