analytics
Pessoa a guardar notas de 100 euros numa carteira roxa ao balcão de um balcão de atendimento.

The earlier I submit my tax return, the earlier I receive the refund.

If you want to receive your IRS refund as soon as possible, submitting your declaration in the first days can make a difference. Processing is done on a first-come, first-served basis, and those who submit earlier have a higher chance of receiving the money first.

31 Mar 20252 min

Liked what you just read? Share it!

Early delivery of IRS may accelerate the refund?

The submission of the IRS statement starting on April 1 is eagerly awaited by many taxpayers, especially those entitled to a refund. But does submitting the statement earlier mean getting the money sooner? The answer is yes, in most cases.

How does IRS processing work?

The IRS refund is processed only after the Tax Authority (AT) validates and calculates the due amounts. This process is done in submission order, meaning that those who submit first have their declaration analyzed earlier. Therefore, the sooner you send it, the higher the chances of receiving it quickly.

Deadlines and average refund times & nbsp;

The IRS campaign takes place annually between April 1st and June 30th. Usually, the first refunds start being paid about 15 to 30 days after submitting the declaration.

In cases of Automatic IRS, the process tends to be even faster, with refunds being issued in less than 15 days. For those who have to fill out manually, the validation process may take longer, especially if there are inconsistencies in the data.

Factors that can delay the refund.

Although early delivery increases the chances of receiving money sooner, some factors may delay the process:  

  • Errors or discrepancies in the declaration: If the declared values do not match the AT data, the declaration may be subject to manual analysis, taking more time.
  • Lack of validation in e-Invoice: If expenses are not correctly validated before submission, processing can be slower.  
  • Fiscal debts or to Social Security: If there are pending debts, the refund may be withheld until they are settled.

Read more: Should I submit my IRS on the first day or not?

If you are waiting for your IRS refund, the best advice is to gather all documentation in advance and submit the declaration as soon as possible. This way, you ensure a faster processing and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Want to stay informed about the IRS process? Follow the content of Poupança no Minuto through social media and newsletter: Savings in a Minute.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and don't miss any content.



Eleito Produto do Ano 2025
Poupança no minuto

Financefy S.A. Credit Intermediary registered with Banco de Portugal (Bank of Portugal) as nº 0006860

Financefy - Mediação de Seguros Lda (Insurance Mediation Ltd), registered at ASF as nº 423578365


Poupança no Minuto is a brand owned by Financefy, S.A., a tied credit intermediary registered with Banco de Portugal under no. 0006860. Authorized services: presentation or proposal of credit contracts to consumers. Assistance to consumers, through preparatory acts or other pre-contractual management work relating to credit contracts that were not presented or proposed by it. Lenders: Bankinter, S.A. - Branch in Portugal, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, S.A., Banco BPI, S.A., Banco Santander Totta, S.A., Abanca Corporación Bancaria, S.A. - Branch in Portugal, Banco CTT, S.A., Novo Banco, S.A., Cofidis, BNP Paribas Personal Finance, S.A. - Branch in Portugal, Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios, S.A., Establecimiento Financiero de Crédito (Sociedad Unipersonal) - Branch in Portugal, BNI - Banco de Negócios Internacional (Europa), S.A., Banco BIC Português, S.A., Unicre - Instituição Financeira de Crédito, S.A.