For 2026 in the U.S., federal income tax refunds typically “come back” (hit your bank account) about 10–21 days after the IRS accepts an accurately filed electronic return, especially if you choose direct deposit rather than a paper check. For early filers this usually means refunds show up starting in mid‑ to late‑February, while people who file closer to the April 15 deadline tend to see money in late March through April.

Key timing in 2026

  • The IRS began accepting 2025 tax year returns in the last week of January 2026 (around January 26–30).
  • Many standard refunds for early electronic filers can arrive roughly 2–3 weeks after acceptance if there are no issues and you use direct deposit.
  • If your return claims the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional/Child Tax Credit (ACTC/CTC), federal law causes extra checks, so those refunds generally aren’t released until late February or early March; for 2026, the IRS has indicated most EITC/ACTC refunds should be available by around March 2 for error‑free, direct‑deposit returns.

Real‑world example

  • File electronically and get accepted: January 26.
  • Simple return, direct deposit, no special credits: an estimated refund date could be around February 6–18, depending on IRS processing and your bank.

If your refund is taking longer than this, common reasons include processing backlogs, identity‑verification checks, errors on the return, or claiming credits that trigger extra review.