Overview
- IRS data show more than 80% of refunds arrive in under 21 days with an average $3,571, a jump reporting links to recent tax-law changes.
- To get paid quickly, the IRS urges electronic filing with direct deposit and careful entry of bank details to avoid delays.
- Many taxpayers are using refunds to cover rent, groceries and credit-card debt rather than discretionary spending, according to a Yahoo Finance analysis.
- People who owe can seek relief through established IRS options such as Fresh Start for smaller balances, installment plans up to about 72 months, a formal Offer in Compromise that uses Forms 656 and 433-A/F, or a Currently Not Collectible pause on most levies while interest continues.
- Californians risk losing unclaimed 2022 refunds because the three-year window closes with this season’s deadline, with officials citing about 143,000 people at stake and an average of roughly $680 each.