when are tax returns sent out

Tax returns themselves are not “sent out” on a fixed date —instead, the key dates are when you can file them and when any refund is typically sent back to you.

When you can file

• In the U.S. , the IRS began accepting 2025 tax returns for the 2026 filing season on January 26, 2026 , and the normal federal deadline to file (or pay what you owe) is April 15, 2026.

• In Canada , most individuals can start filing their 2025 income tax and benefit return online around February 23, 2026 , with the main deadline to file being April 30, 2026.

When refunds are sent out

• For U.S. taxpayers who e‑file and choose direct deposit , the IRS typically issues refunds within about 21 days of accepting the return, assuming there are no issues.

* For early filers (for example, submitting on January 26), a refund could land by **mid‑ to late‑February** , sometimes sooner.

• In the UK , HMRC usually processes online Self Assessment returns within 8–10 weeks , and any refund is then sent via bank transfer or cheque after that.

What this looks like in practice

• If you file electronically early in January–February in the U.S., you’re likely to see your refund by late February or early March , especially if you use direct deposit.

• If you file on paper , processing can take several weeks longer , so refunds may not arrive until March or April , depending on when the IRS logs your return.

If you tell me your country (U.S., UK, Canada, etc.) and whether you’re filing online or on paper, I can give a tighter “likely window” for when your tax return will be processed and any refund sent out.