how soon to get tax refund
Most people in the U.S. can expect a federal tax refund within about 10–21 days after the IRS accepts their return, assuming they e‑file and choose direct deposit and there are no issues.
Typical refund timeframes (2026 season)
- E‑file + direct deposit :
- IRS says about 90% of refunds are issued within 21 days of acceptance.
* Many filers see money in their account roughly **2 weeks** after the IRS accepts the return.
- Paper file (mail‑in return) :
- Often takes 4–8 weeks for a refund to arrive.
- Refunds with EITC/ACTC :
- By law, refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit cannot be released before mid‑February , even if the return is filed earlier.
Quick‑reference table (federal, 2026)
| Filing method | Typical refund timing |
|---|---|
| E‑file + direct deposit | Up to 21 days; often 10–14 days after IRS acceptance | [5][1][3]
| Paper return + direct deposit | 4–6 weeks | [3]
| Paper return + mailed check | 6–8 weeks or longer | [9][3]
How to check your specific refund
- Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool or app with your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount.
- After the IRS shows “refund sent,” it can take up to 5 business days for the money to appear in your bank account.
If your refund is taking longer than these ranges and you don’t see any notices from the IRS, it’s worth contacting them or your tax pro to check for holds or errors.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.