Typically, a paper check will take three to eight weeks to arrive in your mailbox, but you can track exactly where your tax refund is and when you can expect to receive it with the USPS' tracking tool, Informed Delivery. The free service sends you alerts for all new mail and provides images of the front of envelopes.

As the 2024 tax season nears its end in 2025, most American taxpayers have already filed their returns, paving the way for quicker refunds. Here's a comprehensive guide to understanding how the refund system works and what factors influence the timing of your refund.