Every year, millions of people in the United States file their tax returns and then eagerly await their refunds. A tax refund is the amount of money the government returns to taxpayers if they have paid more tax than they owe for a tax year.
Receiving this tax refund on time is very important for people because it allows them to plan their budget and keep track of their expenses properly. Like every year, in 2026 too, people will file their tax returns and will receive a refund.
The annual tax filing process begins in January, and taxpayers typically receive their refunds a few days after filing it. Here, we have discussed the IRS tax refund schedule, so by reading it, you will be able to determine when you can expect to receive your refund.
2026 IRS Tax Refund Schedule
The 2026 refund schedule outlines the timeframe within which the IRS receives, processes, and issues your refund. The refunds issued in 2026 will be for tax year 2025, and we have shared some details regarding this schedule below.
- According to the IRS official website, refunds are typically received within 21 days of electronically filing the return.
- If the tax return is filed on paper, then in that case, it takes at least 6 weeks to receive it.
When will tax filing begin in 2026?
The IRS has not publicly confirmed the start date of the 2026 tax season, meaning they have not announced the date on which they will begin processing refunds for the 2025 tax year.
According to the CPA Practice Advisor, it is expected that the 2026 tax season will likely begin on January 26, 2026.
Difference in refunds between e-filing and paper filing
Tax returns that we file electronically are received by the Internal Revenue Service within a few hours, and their status begins to show on the “Where’s My Refund” tool within just 24 hours.
In the second scenario, where the tax return is filed on paper, it takes at least a few days and up to 7 days for the IRS to receive it, and we have to wait at least 4 weeks to check its status.
What happened after filing the federal tax return?
When you file your tax return for tax year 2025 in 2026, it will first be received by the IRS. After receiving it, they will queue it according to your filing type.
If you filed electronically, your return will be approved within 7 to 10 days. If you filed on paper, you will have to wait at least 5 weeks after the filing date for approval.
Once your return is approved, the IRS will show you the date your refund will be sent on the “Where’s My Refund” tool. Refunds are typically issued within a week of approval.
Estimated dates for 2026 IRS tax refunds
The IRS does not officially release any schedule or dates to indicate when you can expect a refund if you file on a particular date using a specific method.
They have only provided a general timeline, which is a maximum of three weeks for e-filing and a minimum of six weeks for paper filing.
However, we have prepared an estimated schedule based on the details provided by the IRS and last year’s trends, which will allow you to anticipate when you can expect your refund if your return is approved by the IRS on a specific date.
| Tax Return Filing Date | Estimated Refund Date |
| January 26–31, 2026 | February 6–14, 2026 |
| February 1–7, 2026 | February 13–21, 2026 |
| February 8–15, 2026 | February 20–28, 2026 |
| February 16–29, 2026 | March 1–15, 2026 |
| March 2026 | By the end of March 2026 |
One thing you should definitely know is that, following Trump’s executive order, the IRS has stopped issuing tax refunds via paper checks after September 30, 2025.
It means that to receive your refund in 2026, direct deposit will be the only option available. So make sure you have provided an accurate account and routing number.
Special rules for those claiming EITC and ACTC
The Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit are two refundable tax credits available to low-to-moderate-income Americans.
Taxpayers who claim either or both of these tax credits may have to wait a little longer than usual to receive their refund if they file at an early stage.
The PATH Act is a law that prevents the IRS from processing any tax return before February 15th that includes the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).
Tax returns in which either one or both of these tax credits have been claimed will have their refunds processed starting in early March 2026.
What is the “Where’s My Refund” tool?
The “Where’s My Refund” tool is a web-based tool that allows people to check their refund status. It plays a very important role after you file your tax return because it tells you what stage your refund is currently at.
Using this tool, you can check your refund status to find out if your return has been received, approved, or sent by the IRS. To check the status, you need to provide four details: your SSN, tax year, filing status, and refund amount.
Disclaimer: The 2026 IRS tax refund schedule is for informational purposes only. Official dates and timelines are determined by the IRS.
