when will irs release refunds 2026

The IRS began accepting 2025 federal tax returns for the 2026 filing season on Monday, January 26, 2026, and says most refunds will be issued within 21 days of an error‑free e‑filed return with direct deposit.

Key 2026 refund timing

• The 2026 filing season (for 2025 returns) opens January 26, 2026.

• The IRS states that most refunds are issued in fewer than 21 days when you e‑file and choose direct deposit, assuming no issues with your return.

• A common example: someone who e‑files on January 26 could see their refund around mid‑February (about February 16) if everything is clean and direct deposit is used.

• Paper returns take longer, often 4–8 weeks or more, because they must be processed manually.

Think of it like a three‑week “normal” window once your e‑filed return is accepted, with delays possible if the IRS needs extra review.

Special rules for EITC/ACTC

• If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), your refund will not be released as quickly.
• For 2026, the IRS expects most EITC/ACTC refunds to be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 2, 2026, for taxpayers who chose direct deposit and have no other issues.

• Some people may see funds a bit earlier depending on their bank, but March 2 is the general target date.

So, if you claim EITC/ACTC and file early, you should still plan around early March rather than mid‑February.

How to check your refund

• Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” online tool or the IRS2Go app to track status. Refund information usually appears about 24 hours after an e‑filed return is received, or about four weeks after a paper return is filed.

• Status messages typically progress through: “Return Received,” then “Refund Approved,” then “Refund Sent.”

A simple example: if you e‑file on February 1, you can usually start checking “Where’s My Refund?” on February 2, and you might expect your money by around late February if everything is straightforward.

2026 refund calendar snapshot

Here’s an approximate idea of when refunds may arrive in 2026 if you e‑file and choose direct deposit, assuming your return is accepted on these dates and there are no issues:

Date return accepted	Estimated direct deposit date
Jan 28, 2026	Feb 18, 2026
Feb 4, 2026	Feb 25, 2026
Feb 11, 2026	Mar 4, 2026
Feb 18, 2026	Mar 11, 2026
Feb 25, 2026	Mar 18, 2026

These dates are estimates only; processing issues, extra IRS review, or claiming certain credits can push refunds later.

What’s new or different in 2026?

• The IRS is phasing out paper refund checks, so most taxpayers must provide bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit.

• Policy changes and new tax incentives under President Trump’s recent tax law are expected to boost average refund sizes for many households in 2026, though individual results vary.

Bottom line: For the 2026 season, if you e‑file early, choose direct deposit, and your return is clean, you can generally expect your refund within about three weeks, while EITC/ACTC filers should look toward early March. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.