How long should I wait for a refund from a company?

Asked by: Mohammed Fadel  |  Last update: October 9, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (3 votes)

It may take up to 30 days for the refund amount to appear on your card statement. If the card was canceled or you paid with a prepaid card, contact the card issuer to access your refund. The money will still be sent to this card account.

How long should it take a company to refund you?

Refunds to debit cards tend to take between two and five business days, but it can take up to 30 days depending on the company issuing the refund.

How long is it reasonable to wait for a refund?

The seller has to pay you the refund within 14 days. The 14 days start the day after they receive proof you posted the item or they receive the item – whichever happens first.

How long does a company have to send a refund?

How long does a business have to send a customer a refund? There is no legal requirement regarding the time frame to process a refund, but the faster it can happen, the more satisfied a customer will be. Ideally, a business should aim to process a refund within 7 working days at the most.

What can I do if a company isn't refunding me?

However, assuming you are eligible for a refund and customer service has declined, the usual steps are: Ask to elevate it to a supervisor. If that fails, ask to move up to the manager level. Keep documentation (names, dates, what was said in notes form) for everything you do.

How long should you wait for a refund?

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What can I do if a company won't give me my refund?

You can notify the consumer protection division of your local district attorney's office of any violations, or file a complaint with our office using our online complaint form.

How long does a refund take on a debit card?

A refund on a debit card typically takes one to 10 business days, influenced by merchant and bank processing times. Accurate information expedites refunds; incorrect details can cause delays or processing issues. Delays can occur due to merchant processing, incorrect information, and technical difficulties.

Can you sue a company for not giving refund?

Consumers have legal rights, if you have been denied a refund it may take a lawsuit to get what you deserve. Whether or not companies must give refunds or other forms of recompense compensation can be a complicated legal matter. But what's pretty clear is that you shouldn't have to pay for something you don't receive.

What is the US law on refunds?

Federally, retailers must accept returns under two basic scenarios. First, federal law requires refunds if the product is defective. Small variations or cosmetic defects might not legally require a refund. But significant problems with the product's safety or functionality could conflict with the product's advertising.

How many days required for refund?

Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer. However, if refund is not received during this duration, the taxpayer must check for intimation regarding discrepancies in ITR; check email for any notification from the IT department regarding the refund.

What is the longest a refund should take?

The IRS is taking more than 21 days (and up to 90 to 120 days), to issue refunds for tax returns with the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. You should only contact the IRS if: It's been 21 days or more since you e-filed. Where's My Refund?

What is the longest my refund will take?

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

Is there a time limit to get a refund?

The latest date, by law, you can claim a credit or federal income tax refund for a specific tax year is generally the later of these 2 dates: 3 years from the date you filed your federal income tax return, or. 2 years from the date you paid the tax.

How long is reasonable to wait for a refund?

How long should a refund take? Your refund should be paid within 14 days of your return being received – and it should also include a refund of the standard delivery cost. This applies to items you buy and also services you sign up for.

What happens if I don't receive my refund?

The IRS will send you a CP237A if the tax refund check they sent you was never deposited. If you received this notice, call 1-800-829-0115 to claim your refund. In most cases, you will get your refund within 30 days of contacting the IRS.

Why does it take companies so long to refund?

Why does a Refund take Time to Reach Customers? Three main parties are involved in a successful payment refund – the payment gateway, the merchant's bank, and the customer's bank. Refunds take longer than transactions because they have to go through an elaborate process and involve the combined work of various systems.

What can I do if a company won't refund me?

These strategies and this sample complaint letter can help you get your money back or reach another resolution.
  1. Go Back to the Store or Website.
  2. Write a Letter.
  3. Get Outside Help.
  4. Post an Online Review.
  5. Consider Dispute Resolution Alternatives.

How long does a business have to refund your money?

If a store violates this policy, you can return an item for a refund within 30 days of purchase.

What are the rules for a refund?

You must offer a full refund if an item is faulty, not as described or does not do what it's supposed to. Check when you have to offer refunds and accept returns. Customers have exactly the same rights to refunds when they buy items in a sale as when they buy them at full price.

What happens if you sue a company and they dont respond?

What happens if you sue a company and they don't respond? If a sued company doesn't respond, you might get a default judgment. Use this judgment to pursue collecting the owed amount from the defendant through legal processes if applicable.

Can the BBB get me a refund?

Having the BBB mediate your complaint can sometimes result in a refund, but the BBB isn't able to force companies to fix the dispute. There are a few other places where you can report a problem that might or might not result in getting your money back.

Can the FTC help me get my money back?

In some cases, an FTC law enforcement action gets money back to people. To see recent FTC cases that resulted in refunds, go to ftc.gov/refunds.

Why does it take 5 to 7 days for a refund?

Refunds can take 5-10 days to process due to the exchange of information between multiple parties involved in the refund process. Manual oversight, varying refund processes, and the number of parties involved contribute to the time it takes for refunds to be credited.

How many days do refunds take?

If you e-filed your return and chose direct deposit to receive your refund, you'll usually receive your refund in 8-15 days. However, you should allow an extra 1-5 business days for your bank to process the funds.

Why is my refund not showing up on my credit card?

Credit card refunds may not show up immediately due to processing time, incorrect information provided during the refund process, technical glitches, or communication delays between the merchant and the card issuer.