Where is your federal tax refund? While the IRS began issuing refunds as early as February 18th last year, most taxpayers wait longer, especially if there are processing delays.
This may be particularly true in the 2026 filing season. Significant staffing cuts at the IRS, combined with a government shutdown late in the year, reportedly interrupted pre-filing season activities like staff training and system testing on new 2025 Trump/GOP tax and spending bill provisions.
Plus, the IRS is eliminating paper checks, though if you qualify for an official exception to the rule, you could still receive your federal tax refund in the mail.
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Read on for the 2026 federal tax refund schedule to know when to expect your payment from the IRS.
New: Tax Refund Alert: House GOP Predicts ‘Average’ $1,000 Payouts in 2026
Where’s my 2025 IRS tax refund?
Your IRS refund depends in part on your filing method. Below are estimated timeframes for when you may expect to receive your tax refund.
- E-filed returns can take up to 21 days to process a refund.
- Mailed returns take 4-8 weeks to process a refund.
Note: The above periods are after the IRS has accepted your return.
It’s also important to note that errors in your tax forms, IRS processing delays, or bank delays may extend the waiting period for your tax refund.
Tax refund timing can be delayed
Certain factors can affect the timing of your tax refund, including:
- When you filed. Filing during the busiest time of the tax season (roughly late March to mid-April) might delay your refund.
- Which credits you claimed. Certain credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), can delay tax returns due to the IRS needing more time to review.
- How you submitted your return. Electronically filed returns typically process 1-5 weeks faster than mail-in returns.
- If you owed the IRS any money. If you have an outstanding tax liability with the IRS, the tax agency may apply part or all of your refund to repay your debt.
IRS refund schedule
Your refund delivery is based partly on which filing method and refund delivery method you chose:
Refund Delivery Time | Filing & Refund Delivery Methods |
|---|---|
3 weeks | E-file and direct deposit |
4 weeks | E-file and check |
4 to 8 weeks | Mail in return and direct deposit |
4 to 9 weeks | Mail in return and check |
Note: The above estimates are after the IRS has accepted your return. Processing delays or errors in the return may cause you to receive your federal refund after these dates.
Starting in the 2026 tax season, the IRS will generally stop mailing paper refund checks. However, if you have an exception to this rule (like no access to a banking service, or if you have a certain disability), you may still receive a paper check.
For more information, check out Kiplinger's report, IRS Phasing Out Paper Checks: What Happens Next?
Tax refund calendar 2026
The IRS hasn't released the official start date for the 2026 filing season. However, based on last year's refund schedule, here is a general estimate of when you may expect your 2025 federal tax refund once the season begins:
Date return is filed and accepted: | Date Direct Deposit may arrive: | Date mailed check may arrive: |
|---|---|---|
January 28 | February 18 | March 29 |
February 4 | February 25 | April 5 |
February 11 | March 4 | April 12 |
February 18 | March 11 | April 19 |
February 25 | March 18 | April 26 |
March 4 | March 25 | May 3 |
March 11 | April 1 | May 10 |
March 18 | April 8 | May 17 |
March 25 | April 15 | May 24 |
April 1 | April 22 | May 31 |
April 8 | April 29 | June 7 |
April 15 | May 6 | June 14 |
Note: The above table is an estimate and can be influenced by several factors, including but not limited to processing delays, tax credits claimed, and whether you filed during the busiest time of the season.
Tax refund status: How to check it
You can check the status of your tax refund by using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool. The webpage will show you the status of your tax refund as early as 24 hours after the IRS has accepted your return.
You can also download the IRS2Go app to check your tax refund status. Or, you can call the automated IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954.
State income tax refunds
Each state has a different tax refund schedule. For example, North Carolina paper filers may not receive a refund for up to three months, while Oklahoma taxpayers can expect a refund about five to six weeks after the state accepts the return.
However, some states may allow you to check your tax refund status. Visit your state’s Department of Revenue website for more information.
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