The IRS has issued more than 29.6 million individual income tax refunds through Feb. 21, up 2.3% from a year ago.

With staffing cuts at the IRS, many taxpayers are concerned about delays in receiving their refunds. Here are some things you can do to avoid a delay.

Anticipation of a potential IRS tax refund is always good news. Find out when yours arrives based on the date you filed your return.

The layoffs, which have been directed by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire and "special government employee" Elon Musk, have sparked concerns among experts who fear that the IRS won't be able to process Americans' tax refunds as quickly as usual this year.

If you've already filed your tax return, it's natural to wonder when you'll receive your refund. One of the most common questions is the exact time the IRS makes deposits.

While refunds are up, the number of people who’ve filed already is down compared to 2024. The IRS has received 42.7 million returns in 2025, down 4.2 percent compared to this time last year. Even with the number of returns not keeping pace with 2024, the total number of refunds issued so far (29.6 million) is up 2.3 percent.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Tens of millions of Americans have already received tax refunds from the federal government, with the average return totaling more than $3,000, according to the latest Internal Revenue Service data.

In the United States, not every taxpayer will receive their tax refund as anticipated. Many may encounter reduced payments or, in some cases, no refund at all.