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It’s almost tax season! And the number one question we see every year is: when can I expect my tax refund? Most taxpayers receive their IRS tax refund within 21 days of filing, but actual dates vary depending on when your return is accepted, how you file, and whether you claim certain tax credits.
For the 2026 filing season, the IRS will open for e-File on January 26, 2026 and issue the first direct deposits by mid February. Returns that include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) will continue to be held until after February 15, as required by law.
The College Investor’s annual IRS Tax Refund Calendar below shows the estimated deposit and check mailing dates based on IRS acceptance timing and direct deposit preferences. These are projections, not guarantees — but year after year, they closely match real refund data reported by our readers.
⚠︎ Key Tax Dates This Year ⚠︎
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PATH Act Refunds Released |
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First Paper Check Refunds |
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Personal Tax Filing Deadline |
We believe the IRS will be opening tax season exceptionally delayed this year based on comments by the IRS commissioner, along with the workload impacts of the government shutdown and changes due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Even with it’s on-time opening, it’s still to be seen if the process will be on time.
Get Your Tax Refund Faster
If you’re looking to get your tax return faster, check out this list of banks that allow you to get your tax refund a few days early.
While getting your tax return is exciting, consider saving it in one of these top savings accounts.
2026 IRS Tax Refund Schedule Chart
Here is a chart of when you can expect your tax refund for when the return was accepted (based on e-Filing). This is an estimate, but based on past information, does seem accurate for about 90% of taxpayers. Also, as always, you can use the link after the calendar to get your specific refund status.
When can you file your 2025 federal tax return in 2026? Filing season is anytime between January 26 and April 15, 2026.
Now, when to expect my tax refund based on when it’s accepted!
Note: The IRS sends direct deposits to bank accounts every business day during tax season. Our goal is to provide the end of the week in which you should hopefully receive your tax refund.
Looking for a printable version of this tax refund schedule for 2026? Check out this link to DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION HERE.
Want an HTML version? See below:
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2026 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Important Note for PATH Act Filers: Your tax refund will be delayed until early March. Learn more about the PATH Act delays here.
What If You File A Tax Extension In 2026?
If you file a tax extension in 2026, you can extend your personal tax deadline until October 15, 2026. Remember, if you choose to file a tax extension for your Federal tax return, you are still required to pay any taxes you may owe by the April deadline. If you are expecting a tax refund, that doesn’t really matter – but you still need to file to claim your refund.
Here’s a modified tax refund calendar specifically for those who filed a tax extension. We didn’t want to clutter the above chart given the dates for filing an extension are typically 6 months later. However, the rule of 21 days on average still applies if you file a tax extension and claim your refund later.
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2026 IRS Tax Extension Refund Calendar |
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What’s New For 2026?
The big change for 2026 is the likely delayed start to tax season. At the Tax Summit of the National Association of Enrolled Agents in Salt Lake City, IRS Commissioner Billy Long said the start of the 2026 tax season should be around Presidents Day, which is February 16. However, the IRS announced on January 8, 2026 that the start of tax season will begin on January 26, 2026 – a day earlier than last year.
We are still concerned that it could be a slower tax year this year. When you combine that with the government shutdown and the massive changes required to implement the OBBBA, we worry the date could not be reflective of the actual process.
IRS Processing Timeline Explained
The IRS typically issues most refunds within 21 days of accepting your e-filed return. That 21-day clock doesn’t start when you file your taxes – it begins once the IRS officially accepts your return for processing.
Here’s what happens at each stage:
1. Return Accepted → IRS Starts Processing
Once you hit “Submit,” your tax return is time-stamped and transmitted to the IRS. Within 24 to 48 hours, the agency verifies your personal information and either accepts or rejects the return.
An “Accepted” status means your filing passed basic validation checks and entered the IRS processing system.
Notice: If you submit your tax return before eFile opens (which many online tax software services allow), these companies will hold your return and then submit as soon as the IRS begins accepting them. Some lucky filers may get early access in test batches as well.
2. Refund Approved → Deposit Date Set
After your return clears initial verification, the IRS confirms your refund amount and approves payment.
This step triggers a deposit date, which appears in the “Where’s My Refund?” tool or the IRS2Go mobile app.
3. Refund Sent → Money in Your Account or Check Mailed
Once your refund is sent, it typically takes one to five business days to appear in your bank account.
Paper checks can take longer, depending on U.S. Postal Service delivery times and holidays.
How “Where’s My Refund?” Updates
The IRS updates refund statuses once per day—usually overnight.
You won’t see more frequent changes by checking multiple times a day.
Visit the official IRS tool here: Where’s My Refund?
If you’re getting an error message or issues, check out our full IRS Where’s My Refund Guide And Common Questions.
Early Filers: Expect A Delay In Your Refund
We expect the tax season to be extra delayed in 2026 – due to the IRS commissioner’s comments, changes to tax rules, and the government shutdown.
If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), federal law requires the IRS to hold your entire refund until at least mid-February. This is due to the PATH Act.
For 2026, we expect the IRS to release the first wave of EITC/ACTC refunds to be by February 27 through March 6, provided there are no issues and you used direct deposit.
⚠ Reminder: Claiming the EITC or ACTC means no refunds before February 15, even if your return was accepted early. “Where’s My Refund” should show updates for most early filers by February 22, 2026.
There are other reasons for delays as well.
Paper Returns
Paper-filed returns take the longest to process because IRS staff must manually enter and verify information. Expect six to eight weeks for processing and mailing (at least), compared with 21 days for e-filers.
Errors or Identity Verification
Even small mistakes (like a misspelled name, incorrect Social Security number, or mismatched W-2 income) can cause delays.
The IRS may also flag your return for additional identity verification if it suspects potential fraud.
Bank Account Issues
If the direct-deposit information on your tax return is wrong, or if your bank account is closed, your refund may be delayed or rerouted as a paper check.
Check that your routing and account numbers are correct before submitting your return.
IRS Review Flags or Offsets
Your refund can also be reduced or held for past-due federal or state taxes, child support, or defaulted federal student loans. Yes, collection activity on student loans resumed – so the IRS will take your tax refund this year if you are in default.
Offsets are handled by the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). If this happens, you’ll receive a mailed notice explaining how your refund was applied.
How To Track Your Tax Refund
Once your return is accepted, you can track progress using IRS tools and your bank’s alerts. Here’s how to check safely and effectively:
IRS “Where’s My Refund?” (Web + App)
The fastest way to get accurate information.
Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount to see your personalized status.
Updates post once daily, typically overnight.
IRS2Go Mobile App
This free IRS2GO app mirrors the same data as the website but adds push notifications.
Download it from your device’s app store to get real-time updates without visiting the IRS site directly.
IRS Phone Line
If it’s been more than four weeks past your expected timeline, you can call 1-800-829-1954 to check status.
Expect long hold times during peak tax season; this line won’t show more detail than the online tools.
Here’s a guide to contacting the IRS and getting a real human.
Bank Notifications
Sometimes your financial institution posts deposits before the IRS site updates.
Enable direct-deposit alerts or daily balance notifications so you’ll know as soon as your refund hits.
Prior Years’ Tax Refund Calendars
Looking for an old IRS refund chart? We saved them for you below.
Here is the 2025 tax refund calendar:
Here is the 2025 tax refund extension calendar:
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2025 IRS Tax Extension Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2024 tax refund calendar:
Here is the 2024 tax extension refund calendar:
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2024 IRS Tax Extension Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2023 IRS refund chart if you’re still wanting to remember what happened last year.
If you are looking for when to expect your tax extension return, see this table:
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2023 IRS Tax Extension Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2022 IRS refund chart if you’re still wanting to remember what happened last year.
There’s probably not much from 2021 you want to remember, but here’s our tax refund schedule if you are still looking for it.
Coronavirus Pandemic Delays And Date Changes
One of the biggest areas of delays are mail returns. In 2020, we saw mail held up for months, and we expect mail delays to continue. If possible, always eFile. Sending your return via mail will cause significant delays in processing.
If you’ve already filed your return, our assumption is there will be continued delays in processing times. If your return is under review or other information is needed, you may experience significant delays due to staffing.
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2021 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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There’s probably not much from 2020 you want to remember, but here’s our tax refund schedule if you are still looking for it:
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2020 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2019 IRS refund calendar if you’re still looking for it.
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2019 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2018 tax refund calendar.
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2018 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Still looking for the 2017 tax refund calendar? We saved it for you here:
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2017 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2016 tax refund calendar:
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2016 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2015 tax refund calendar:
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2015 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Here is the 2014 tax refund calendar:
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2014 IRS Tax Refund Calendar |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Refunds
Here are some of the most common questions and FAQs around this tax refund calendar and tax refund schedule:
When will I get my tax refund in 2026?
Most refunds arrive within 21 days of e-file acceptance. Returns with EITC/ACTC are held until at least mid-February, with most direct deposits by March 6.
How do I check my tax refund status?
You can check your tax refund status for your federal tax return on the IRS Refund Status page. You can check your state tax refund on your state’s tax refund status page.
What does it mean when your refund is pending with the IRS?
If your refund status says “Pending”, this means that your tax return is in progress.
How long can the IRS hold your refund?
The IRS can technically hold your refund as long as necessary to resolve any issues with your tax return. However, most people see a hold resolved within 21 days of the IRS receiving the requested information from an additional review (such as identity verification).
What if I filed EITC or ACTC?
If you have the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, your refund does not start processing until February 15. Your 21 day average starts from this point – so you can usually expect your tax refund the last week of February or first week of March.
How long does it take to process a return sent by mail?
If you mailed your tax return, allow twelve weeks for processing, then your 21 day period starts once your tax return is in the IRS system.
What if I get Tax Topic 152?
Tax Topic 152 simply means you’re getting a refund! Sit back, relax, and wait for that direct deposit or check to come!
What if I get Tax Topic 151?
This means you have a tax offset. Some or all of your refund is being garnished. Read our full guide to this here.
Final Thoughts
One of the best ways we keep track of what’s happening with tax refunds during tax season is your comments and feedback. Please drop a comment below and share your refund dates so others can know!
Editor’s Note: This article is updated continuously throughout tax season as the IRS releases new information. Data is based on prior IRS cycles, agency announcements, and user-reported refund timelines.
