Would you have your tax refunded faster? File electronically. Here’s how

The tax season officially opened today and if you try to submit your return early and knock out the whole process as soon as possible, there is a method you will not overlook.

We have given you tips on the documents you need to prepare to submit your tax return and how to read your W-2 form but to follow these additional tips will help you get your refund back in about 21 days-compared with over four weeks if you don’t. All you have to do is archive electronically and create direct deposit.

We will guide you through the benefits of using direct deposit and e-archiving to the IRS to speed up your refund and show you exactly how to do it. For more tax tips, explore how to submit Tax for free and the tax frames for 2025. Here is also our cheatsheet for reporting your tax and our choice for the best tax software.

Step ET: Go digitally

The trick to get your refund faster is to combine electronic archiving with direct deposit. When submitting a tax return on paper, print the forms and send them to the IRS and then wait for a tax refusal control – a process that can take more than four weeks.

When archiving you avoid treatment delays and waiting times for postal delivery.

To submit your tax return electronically, you can either use the IRS Free File Service, which, if you qualify, lets you submit simple statements for free. You can also explore our expert selection for the best tax apps and software to report electronically.

Step Two: Go directly

Of course, you can always choose to go the old -fashioned way and send a paper tax check by mail, even if it is the slowest, most expensive and least convenient method.

On average, you will receive your refund within 21 days if you combine direct deposit with electronic filing. There is also no risk that your refund will be unedited or it will be gone, stolen or destroyed by mail.

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

To take advantage of the ease and convenience of direct deposit, simply follow the steps below.

To create direct deposit

When you submit, you have the option of adding your bank account information to receive your refund via direct deposit.

When application, simply select “Direct Deposit” as your repayment method or let your tax intermediary know that you want direct deposit. You can also use direct deposit to receive your tax refund even if you choose to submit your tax return on paper. Whatever method you choose, you must enter your bank account and routing numbers. (You can find these on a check or statement.)

You can get your tax refund divided into up to three accounts – such as a savings account, check account and individual pension account – or choose to have the full amount placed in one account.

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

If you do not have a bank account you still have options. First, you can open a bank account. By using FDIC’s gotbanked page, can you review and select a bank or you could consider a credit union If you prefer a nonprofit, member -owned banking option. Explore Cnet’s best check account and best savings account in 2025 for information on new bank accounts.

You can also choose to have your refund inserted on a prepaid debit card if you do not want to open a bank account. Many rechargeable prepaid cards have account and routing numbers, such as those found on a check that you can give to the IRS when you submit them.

For more tax tips you can see here how to get your tax refund up to five days earlier, and all states with tax submission deadlines later than April 15.