Want your tax refund sooner? File them electronically. Here’s how

The tax season has officially opened, and if you are looking to submit your return before and hit the whole process as soon as possible, you must not forget.

We gave the advice of the documents you will need to prepare them for the file your tax return and How to read your W-2 formbut following these additional tips will help you get your refund in about 21 days – compared to more than four weeks if you don’t. All you have to do is file electronically and create direct deposit.

We’ll walk you through the benefits of using direct deposit and e-filing with the IRS to speed up your refund, and show you exactly how to do it. For more tax tips, explore how Tax files for free and the Tax brackets for 2025. Also, here’s ours cheat sheet to submit your taxes and our harvests for the the best tax software.

Step one: go digital

The trick to getting your refund before you do is to file electronically with direct deposit. When you file a paper tax return, you would have to submit it to the IRS, and then wait for a tax refund check – a process that can take more than four weeks.

By e-filing, avoid processing delays and sending mail by mail.

To submit your electronic tax return, you can use the IRS FREE FILE SERVICES This, if you are qualified, allows you to make simple files for free. You can also explore our expert collections for the The best tax apps and software to file electronically.

Step Two: Go Direct

Of course, you can always opt to go the old-fashioned way and have a tax refund check sent via Mail, although that is the slower and less expensive method.

On average, you will receive your refund in 21 days if you have direct deposit with an electronic wire. There is also a risk of your refund not being discarded, or lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail.

Direct deposit is free, and it also saves us money as a taxpayer. It costs more than $1 to issue a paper refund check, but only a dime for each direct deposit, According to the IRS.

To take advantage of the bonus and complete the direct deposit, you will only have to follow the steps below.

How to set up Direct Deposit

When filing, you will have the option to add your bank account information to receive your refund through direct deposit.

When e-filing, simply choose “direct deposit” as my refund method or let your tax preparer know you want direct deposit. You can also use direct deposit to receive your tax refund even if you choose to file your tax return by paper. No matter which method you select, you will need to provide your bank account and routing numbers. (You can find these on a check or statement.)

You can have your tax refund spread over up to three accounts – such as a savings account, checking account rate and individual option – or opt for the full amount.

Your tax refund should only be deposited into a US bank account or US bank account. Your account must be in your name, your spouse’s name or both names if it’s a joint account, according to the IRS.

If you don’t have a bank account, you still have options. For one, you can open a bank account. Using the FDICs knew page, you can review and choose a bank or you could consider a credit union If you prefer a shallow banking option, owned. Explore CNET The best checking account and The best savings account of 2025 for information on new bank accounts.

You could also opt to have your refund deposited to a prepaid debit card if you don’t want to open a bank account. Many reloadable prepaid cards have account and debit numbers, like those found on a check, that you can provide to the IRS when filing.

For more tax advice, click here How to get your tax refund up to five days faster and all states with Tax filing deadlines no later than April 15.