Where’s my tax refund? Here’s when your IRS money could hit your account
WASHINGTON (Gray News) – The IRS says taxpayers expecting a refund this year should expect to receive it fairly quickly after filing their taxes.
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The IRS is issuing refunds via direct deposit only this year, as paper checks are no longer being issued for tax refunds.
The agency shared the dates below when it comes to receiving that refund based on the date the IRS accepted the e-file return:
| IRS Acceptance Date | Expected Refund Date |
|---|---|
| Jan. 26, 2026* | Feb. 6, 2026 |
| Feb. 2 | Feb. 13* |
| Feb. 9 | Feb. 20** |
| Feb. 16 | Feb. 27** |
| Feb. 23 | Mar. 6 |
| Mar. 2 | Mar. 13 |
| Mar. 9 | Mar. 20 |
| Mar. 16 | Mar. 27 |
| Mar. 23*** | Apr. 3*** |
| Mar. 30*** | Apr. 10*** |
| Apr. 6*** | Apr. 17*** |
| Apr. 13*** | Apr. 24*** |
According to the IRS, direct deposit refunds can be received as early as 10 business days. But if a tax return includes an Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, a refund may be delayed until March as the agency verifies these credits.
Taxpayers can also check the status of their refund by using the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” online option.
The agency says tax returns filed electronically are processed faster, along with using the direct deposit option. Filing sooner rather than later means you’ll receive your refund earlier, and make sure to double-check your return as errors can delay processing.
If you have questions about your specific return or refund, contact the IRS directly or consult with a tax professional.
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