how long after taxes are accepted are they deposited

February 18, 2026

For most people who e‑file and use direct deposit, tax refunds are usually deposited within a few weeks of the return being accepted , and often the money shows up just a few days after the IRS (or your country’s tax agency) marks the refund as “approved.”

Typical U.S. IRS timing

After you e‑file, the IRS usually accepts your return within 24–48 hours.

From “accepted” to refund approved , the IRS says most refunds are issued within about 21 days for accurate e‑filed returns.

Once the refund is approved and marked “sent,” direct deposits often reach your bank in about 1–5 business days, depending on your bank’s processing times.

So in many straightforward cases, people see money in their accounts roughly 1–3 weeks after their return is accepted, but it can take up to the full 21‑day window and sometimes longer if there are issues.

Direct deposit vs. paper check

Direct deposit: Fastest; typically just a few days after the IRS releases the payment, often 1–5 business days.

Paper check: Slower; delivery can take about 1–3 weeks after the check is mailed, sometimes 4–8 weeks from acceptance depending on how you filed.

Why yours might be slower

Refund timing after acceptance can be delayed by:

Identity verification checks or mismatched information.

Certain credits (like EITC or ACTC) that legally can’t be paid out before specific dates.

Amended returns, paper filing, or reviews triggered by errors or missing forms.

How to check your exact date

In the U.S., use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tracker or your tax software’s status tool to see when your refund is approved and sent.

Your bank or card issuer then controls when the money becomes available, which is usually within a couple of business days after the IRS sends it.

Plain‑English takeaway: Once your taxes are accepted, most straightforward e‑filed returns with direct deposit get their refund within about 3 weeks, and the actual deposit usually lands just a few days after the refund is marked approved and sent.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.