Some dread doing taxes and wait until the last minute. But millions of others file early to get their tax refunds. What to expect in tax season 2025.

Tax season is underway, and the IRS expects 140 million people will file returns by April 15. If you file your tax return electronically, the IRS says it should take 21 days or fewer to receive your refund.

Tax season is officially underway. The IRS expects over 140 million people to file tax returns before the April 15 deadline.

The IRS began processing tax returns Monday. For filers who submit their returns electronically using direct deposit, refunds are generally issued in less than 21 days. There is a caution from the tax agency, however, that urges “taxpayers not to rely on receiving refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

The good news? Things are actually getting better at the IRS. The head of the National Taxpayer Advocate, a watchdog agency that observes the IRS, said in its 2024 report that “For the first time since I became the National Taxpayer Advocate in 2020, I can begin this report with good news: The taxpayer experience has noticeably improved.”

If you're planning to use your 2025 tax refund to buy paper Series I savings bonds, you'll need a new strategy. As of 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has eliminated the option to buy paper I bonds through your tax refund.

The IRS has officially started accepting and processing tax returns. From new tools to direct file, there are plenty of things you might want to know about to make doing your taxes a little easier this year.

The only "reward" at the end of the tax filing process for many is the hope of a tax refund. The bigger, the better, right? Not exactly. While a tax refund is certainly better than a tax bill,