Mon Jan 27 09:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Speed Up Your Tax Refund: Two Simple Steps for Faster IRS Payments
**New York, NY** – Tax season is officially open, and Americans can start filing their returns on January 27th. While refunds typically arrive within 21 days of IRS acceptance, taxpayers can significantly expedite the process, potentially receiving their money weeks earlier. Financial experts recommend two key strategies: e-filing and direct deposit.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), using both methods cuts processing time to approximately three weeks, compared to six to eight weeks for paper filings and mailed checks. The average refund in 2024 was $3,050, a 5% increase from the previous year.
“Getting the biggest refund in the shortest amount of time is a two-step process,” says Drew Powers, founder of Powers Financial Group. “First, be organized. Gather all necessary documents, including W-2s, 1099s, and other relevant forms, ahead of time.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, adds, “File early and virtually. Using tax preparation software can also help catch errors that might delay processing.”
The IRS offers the “Where’s My Refund” tool online and via the IRS2Go mobile app to track refund status. The tool updates within 24 hours of an e-filed return’s acceptance. The tax filing deadline is April 15th, unless an extension is granted via Form 4868. Taxpayers should remember that this year’s returns reflect income earned in 2024.
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