when do they start sending out tax returns

They start processing federal tax returns toward the second half of January each year, and refunds typically start going out within about three weeks for clean, e‑filed returns with direct deposit.

Below is a forum-style “Quick Scoop” post matching your spec.

When Do They Start Sending Out Tax Returns?

Keyword focus: when do they start sending out tax returns, latest news, forum discussion, trending topic

Quick Scoop

Most years, “tax season” for U.S. federal returns kicks off in the second half of January , and that’s when the IRS starts accepting returns and queuing up refunds.

If you e‑file and choose direct deposit, your refund usually lands within about 21 days after the IRS accepts your return, assuming there are no issues.

In plain terms: they don’t really “send out” refunds until they first open the season and accept returns — that’s the real start gun.

Latest News: 2026 Filing Season

For the current tax year cycle (filing 2025 income in early 2026), the IRS has announced that:

The 2026 filing season opens in late January (around Jan. 26) for individual federal returns.

That date is when they start accepting and processing returns — e‑filed returns go into the system first and fastest.

Employers are generally required to send W‑2s by the end of January , so many people can’t realistically file much earlier anyway.

Once that opening date hits, refunds begin to move, but your personal timeline still depends on how and when you file.

Typical Refund Timelines (U.S. Federal)

Here’s how it usually plays out for a straightforward return:

E‑file + direct deposit
- Most refunds: within 21 days of IRS acceptance (not the day you hit “submit”).

* In practice, many people see money in about 10–21 days if they file early, before the peak crunch in March and early April.

Paper filing
- Can take significantly longer because an actual human has to open, scan, and process your return.

* Think in terms of **weeks to months** , especially if the IRS is backlogged.

Returns with special credits (like EITC or ACTC)
- Refunds are often held until late February or early March due to extra verification rules meant to reduce fraud.

Mini Timeline Example (Story Style)

Imagine Jordan:

Jordan gets their W‑2 around the last week of January.

On Jan. 27 , Jordan e‑files a simple return with no unusual credits and chooses direct deposit.
The IRS accepts the return the same day.
Jordan checks the refund tool a week later; it shows “return received, refund approved.”
Around 10–20 days after acceptance , the refund hits their bank account.

Nothing magical happened — Jordan just filed early, e‑filed, and kept things simple.

Forum Discussion Vibes

If you scroll through tax forums or Reddit threads, you’ll see patterns like:

People who file in late January or early February and e‑file often reporting refunds in about 1–3 weeks , when there are no complications.

Filers who wait until March or later sometimes see longer waits because that’s peak season; the system is more congested.

Those with credits like EITC or complex returns often share that their refunds only arrived in March or later, even if they filed early.

So, in forum language:

“They start sending them once the season opens in late January, but how fast you get it depends on how you filed and what’s on your return.”

Other Countries: Quick Note

If you’re outside the U.S., timelines can be quite different:

In Canada , the online filing system for the 2025 tax year opens in late February , and refunds for e‑filed returns can come in a few weeks if your return is simple.

Always check your country’s official tax agency site for exact dates.

Key Factors That Affect When You Get Your Refund

How you file
- E‑file + direct deposit = fastest.

* Paper + mailed check = slowest.

When you file
- Early (right after the season opens) often means quicker turnaround than filing in late March or early April.

Complexity of your return
- More forms, business income, or unusual items can mean extra review time.
Special credits & fraud checks
- EITC/ACTC, identity verification, or mismatched information can delay things until at least late February or March.

Mini-FAQ

Q: So, when do they start sending out tax refunds?

As soon as the IRS opens filing season and begins processing returns, typically in the last week of January , and then refunds start flowing out from there.

Q: When should I expect my refund if I file early and e‑file?

Plan on around 10–21 days after IRS acceptance for a clean, direct‑deposit refund.

Q: What if I don’t see my refund by then?

Use the official refund‑status tool (“Where’s My Refund?” in the U.S.) and confirm your bank details and filing date are correct.

Simple HTML Table of Typical U.S. Timing

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Event</th>
      <th>Typical Timing (U.S. Federal)</th>
      <th>Notes</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>IRS opens filing season</td>
      <td>Last week of January</td>
      <td>That’s when they start accepting and processing returns.[web:1][web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Earliest e-filed returns accepted</td>
      <td>On/just after opening day</td>
      <td>Returns can queue before that but aren’t processed until opening.[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Typical e-file + direct deposit refund</td>
      <td>Within about 21 days of acceptance</td>
      <td>Many early filers see 10–21 days if no issues.[web:1][web:3][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Returns with EITC/ACTC</td>
      <td>Refunds often late Feb–early Mar</td>
      <td>Extra fraud checks delay refunds.[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Paper return refunds</td>
      <td>Several weeks to months</td>
      <td>Manual processing; slower and more backlog-sensitive.[web:9]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR:
They start sending out tax refunds once tax season opens in the last week of January , and most straightforward e‑filed, direct-deposit refunds arrive within about three weeks of IRS acceptance.

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