Tax refunds are one of the most important parts of the filing process. Whether you file through Cash App Taxes, another online service, or manually through the IRS, understanding how refunds work can help you avoid delays, get your money faster, and stay updated on every step.
A tax refund is the money the government gives back to you when you have paid more taxes throughout the year than you actually owed. This extra amount is usually returned after you file your tax return.
You may get a refund because of:
Over-withholding from your paycheck
Eligible tax credits (Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, etc.)
Deductions you qualify for
Correcting previous tax errors
Additional payments through estimated taxes
Refunds are essentially a return of your own money, not a bonus or reward so it's important to claim every dollar correctly.
If you file your taxes using Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax), the refund process works similarly to the IRS refund cycle but includes extra tools to help track the status.
Here’s how Cash App Taxes handles refunds:
Once you complete and submit your return, Cash App Taxes sends it electronically (e-file) to the IRS.
You’ll receive:
Confirmation that your return was submitted
Notification once the IRS accepts your return
The IRS reviews your return for accuracy. This can take:
24–48 hours for e-filed returns
Longer during peak tax season (Jan–Feb)
After approval, your refund is processed. You can choose to receive your refund via:
Direct deposit (fastest option)
Deposit to your Cash App account
Paper check (slowest method)
Cash App users often prefer direct deposit to their Cash App balance because:
It’s quicker
Funds are instantly available
No physical check handling
Once your tax return is accepted, you can check your refund status in multiple ways.
This is the official and most accurate method. You need:
SSN or ITIN
Filing status
Exact refund amount
A handy alternative for tracking on your phone.
Cash App notifies you when:
Your return is accepted
A refund date is updated
More information is needed
Always watch your Cash App Taxes notifications for the fastest updates.
Several reasons can slow down the refund process, including:
Common mistakes:
Incorrect Social Security numbers
Math errors
Wrong bank details
Missing income information
Paper filings always take significantly longer.
Refunds with EITC or CTC may be delayed under the IRS PATH Act.
The IRS may require extra verification if anything seems suspicious.
Your refund may be offset for:
Child support
Unpaid federal or state taxes
Student loan defaults
Unemployment overpayments
If an offset happens, you will receive a letter explaining the reason.
Here are the best ways to speed up your refund processing:
This is always faster than mailing.
Direct deposit to your bank or Cash App is the fastest refund method.
Correcting mistakes avoids delays.
The IRS processes fewer returns early in the year.
If the IRS requests additional documents, respond quickly.
There may be several reasons:
Past debts were deducted
IRS adjusted incorrect income or credit amounts
Missing forms
Mistakes in withholding calculations
You will typically receive a notice explaining the change.
If 21 days have passed after e-filing and there is still no update:
Check the Where’s My Refund? tool
Confirm your bank account details were correct
Look for IRS letters requesting additional info
Contact the IRS directly
If using Cash App Taxes, check for alerts or messages
Never rely on refund advance loans unless absolutely necessary they often have fees and interest.
Always use direct deposit for speed and safety
Keep a digital copy of your tax return
Use your refund wisely consider savings or debt repayment
Watch out for refund scams and phishing emails