As tax season unfolds in 2025, taxpayers are experiencing unexpected delays in their refunds. With 7.7% fewer returns received by the IRS, several factors are contributing to this slowdown.

The IRS website explains how those with delinquent federal taxes — in other words, debts owed to government organizations — as well as delinquent child support payments might cause the organization to withhold someone’s tax refunds. State income tax liabilities and unemployment compensation debt, too, might prompt the IRS to do the same thing.

The IRS issued a reminder this week to taxpayers that agency has a "Where's My Refund?" tool to make the tracking process easy.