Here’s how soon folks in SC can get their tax refunds in 2025
Filing taxes every year is always a chore, but at least there’s a chance of getting decent refunds.
The IRS and the S.C. Department of Revenue recently announced that they’d start accepting 2024 income tax returns on Jan. 27. The filing deadline for both federal and state returns is set for May 1, due to relief granted in October because of Hurricane Helene.
So, when is the soonest a South Carolina taxpayer can get a tax refund?
IRS
The IRS will begin processing tax returns on Jan. 27. If you file your tax return online and opt for direct deposit on Jan. 27, then you can expect your refund from the IRS in less than 21 days. Taxpayers who choose to get their refunds by mail can expect a longer wait.
SC Dept. of Revenue
Unlike the IRS, the SCDOR has stated it will begin processing tax returns on Feb. 3 to allow employers time to meet the Jan. 31 W-2 submission deadline for workers.
If you file your return immediately on Feb. 3 online, you can expect your refund up to eight weeks later, SCDOR states. Paper returns will again take even longer.
According to SCDOR, more than 94% of returns in South Carolina were filed electronically last year. And approximately 88% of taxpayers received a direct deposit refund.
“I am pleased that South Carolinians are filing online and choosing direct deposit in greater numbers than ever before,” SCDOR Director Hartley Powell said in a recent press release. “Our ultimate goal is for all taxpayers to file electronically since it is the safest, most accurate way to file, and it’s the fastest way to receive refunds.”
Tracking tax refunds
Both the IRS and the SCDOR have ways taxpayers can track the progress of their refunds online.
IRS
You can find the latest information on your federal refund by clicking on Where’s My Refund?
Information at the refund site is updated once a day, meaning you don’t have to check back often. You can use it 24 hours after e-filing your 2024 tax return. To access the system, you will need:
- Your social security number or individual taxpayer ID number
- Your filing status
- The exact refund amount on your return
SCDOR
The state also has a Where’s My Refund tool that taxpayers can access by clicking here.
Refund status changes are posted nightly. To access the system, you’ll need:
- Your social security number or individual taxpayer ID number
- The exact refund amount on your return
