IRS Outlines Tax Refund Timeline for 2026 Filing Season

Direct deposit refunds can be received as early as 10 business days, but credits may cause delays.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The IRS has shared details on when taxpayers can expect to receive their tax refunds this year. The agency is issuing refunds via direct deposit only, and taxpayers can receive their refunds as early as 10 business days after their return is accepted. However, refunds may be delayed until March if the return includes an Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, as the IRS verifies these credits.

Why it matters

Knowing when to expect tax refunds is important for personal financial planning. The IRS is providing this information to help set realistic expectations and allow taxpayers to plan accordingly.

The details

According to the IRS, direct deposit refunds can be received as early as 10 business days after the return is accepted. However, if the return includes an Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, the refund may be delayed until March as the agency verifies these credits. Taxpayers can check the status of their refund using the IRS's 'Where's My Refund?' online tool. The IRS also advises that filing electronically and using direct deposit can help speed up the refund process, and that double-checking returns for errors can avoid delays.

  • The IRS is issuing refunds via direct deposit only this year, as paper checks are no longer being issued for tax refunds.

The players

IRS

The Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. government agency responsible for administering and enforcing federal tax laws.

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The takeaway

Taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds more quickly this year by filing electronically and using direct deposit, but should be aware of potential delays if their return includes certain tax credits that require additional verification by the IRS.