2026 IRS Tax Refund Schedule (2025 Tax Year): When Will I Receive My Tax Refund?

The IRS processes tax returns as they are received. If you file your tax return electronically, the IRS will generally process direct deposit refunds within 7-10 days of receiving your tax return, and process paper checks within about two weeks. Filing a paper tax return may delay your refund by up to several weeks.

In September of 2025, the IRS began phasing out paper check refunds. Most taxpayers will be required to provide a bank account and routing number to receive their refund.

When Can I File My Tax Return? The 2026 tax season opens in January. More than 90% of tax refunds are processed and issued within 21 days.

In filing your federal tax return, you may have a few questions: How much tax will I pay? How much will I get back in my tax refund? When will I receive it?

There is no quick and easy answer to the first two questions. However, we can provide you with a rough estimate of when you can expect to receive your tax refund – but only if you file your federal taxes electronically using a software program or through the IRS e-File. Nine out of 10 taxpayers receive their tax refunds within 21 days when they file electronically.

Expect longer delays if you file your return on paper because it takes longer for the IRS to process your paperwork. The tax refund chart below offers more information on when to expect tax refunds.

The IRS has begun to phase out paper check refunds. Most taxpayers will be required to provide a bank account and routing number. For those without access to a bank account, alternatives such as debit cards or digital wallets are available. Veterans can explore options through the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (Click here for the VBBP website) to create a bank account and set up direct deposit.

IRS Refund Schedule for Direct Deposits and Check Refunds

The following tax refund table is based on previous refund tables released by the IRS to help taxpayers determine when they can expect to receive their tax refunds. The IRS issued refunds only once a week under the old system. They now issue refunds every business day, Monday through Friday (except holidays).

Due to changes in the IRS auditing system, they no longer release a full schedule as they did in previous years. The following chart is based on IRS statements, published guidelines, and historical estimates. This IRS refund schedule should be used as a rough guideline only.

2026 Tax Refund Dates (2025 Tax Year)

Note: The IRS e-File open date will be later in January. The IRS will accept and process returns throughout the year. The official tax filing deadline is April 15, 2026. You can file an extension, which moves the deadline to October 15, 2026. However, any money owed is due by April 15th. Failure to pay by then will result in late penalties and fees.

Below is an estimated refund date chart based on information from the IRS. This chart uses this year’s estimated tax season start date (January 26, 2026). Use it to get a good idea of how long you may have to wait for your refund.

E-Filing Date	Direct Deposit Refund Schedule	Mailed Check Refund Schedule
January 26	February 16	February 21
January 26 to February 1	February 21	February 28
February 2 to February 8	February 28	March 7
February 9 to February 15	March 7	March 14
February 16 to February 22	March 14	March 21
February 23 to March 1	March 21	March 28
March 2 to March 8	March 28	April 4
March 9 to March 15	April 4	April 11
March 16 to March 22	April 11	April 18
March 23 to March 29	April 18	April 25
March 30 to April 5	April 25	May 2
April 6 to April 12	May 2	May 9
April 13 to April 19	May 9	May 16
April 20 to April 26	May 16	May 23
April 27 to May 3	May 23	May 30
May 4 to May 10	May 30	June 7
May 11 to May 17	June 7	June 14

How to Use the Tax Refund Chart

• Use the left-hand column to look up the date your tax return was accepted by the IRS
• Use the middle or right column to look up when you should receive your refund (depending on how you requested your refund – direct deposit or paper check).
• If you want a PDF copy, download the 2025 Tax Refund Schedule (last year’s) here.
  

If you filed your taxes with e-File, you should receive a confirmation that the IRS accepted your federal tax return. This date will go in the left column. If you didn’t file your taxes electronically, then this chart may not be useful for you for two reasons: you won’t have a confirmation date regarding when your tax return was accepted, and paper tax returns are manually entered by IRS employees, so the process takes longer.

You will also note that this chart covers dates beyond the traditional filing date. If you plan to file after April 15, 2025, you should file a tax extension request. It’s simple to do and can potentially save you a lot of money in penalties.

You can also utilize the IRS website to check the status of your refund. Click here to check the status of your refund on the IRS website.

Note: Military members deployed during the tax year may be eligible for additional tax deadline extensions.

When Will I Get My Tax Refund?

Keep in mind that it may take a few days for your financial institution to make your deposit available to you or several days for the check to arrive in the mail. Keep this in mind when planning to use your tax refund.

The IRS states to allow five additional days for the funds to become available to you. In almost all cases, a direct deposit will get you your tax refund faster than in five days, and in some cases, it will be available immediately.

Best Tax Software of 2026

Still need to file your tax return? Check out some of the best online tax software programs of 2026 below.

Important Tax Filing Dates and Refund Dates

When Can I File My Tax Return?

The IRS announced the first official day to file your 2025 tax return. However, you can use its Free File process, which begins on January 10. The official start of the tax season starts January 26, 2026. However, many tax software programs will allow you to complete your return and “file” it before that date, including IRS Free File, which is currently open for the tax filing season.

Some taxpayers who submit their electronic tax returns early may be able to participate in the IRS HUB Testing program. This is a controlled test of the federal tax return system. The IRS processes a small percentage of tax returns from major software providers to test the tax return submission process and identify and fix bugs before opening the doors to all taxpayers.

Expert Tip: If you do file your tax return before the official start of the tax season, ensure you have all of your tax documents. Some tax forms, such as 1099s or W-2s, may not be available until after the January 31st due date.

When Are Taxes Due?

The tax filing deadline for most individuals and businesses for the 2025 tax year is April 15, 2026.*

April 15 is the tax deadline for most years unless it falls on a weekend or an observed holiday. April 16th is the observed holiday for Emancipation Day in Washington DC, which may impact the tax-filing deadline in some years.

* Note: Because Maine and Massachusetts celebrate Patriots Day on April 20, the tax filing deadline for residents may be extended.

You can file a tax extension before April 15 if you are not ready to file your taxes by the deadline. This year, the extended tax deadline is Oct. 15. Keep in mind, the extension is an extension to file, not an extension to pay. Any taxes owed must be paid by the April 15th deadline to avoid penalties and interest. It is recommended to make an estimated tax payment before the April 15th deadline if you believe you will owe federal taxes.

Are There Any Expected Tax Refund Delays?

Yes, tax refund delays are common. The IRS is required by federal law to withhold tax refunds for taxpayers who claim Earned Income Tax Credits and Additional Child Tax Credit until mid-February. The IRS has advised that taxpayers should wait until mid to late February before checking the status of their refunds.

Keep in mind that receiving your refund can still take a week after the IRS releases it. So some people who file early may experience delays while awaiting their refunds. Refunds should be processed normally after this date.

Also note that new identity theft protections and anti-fraud measures may hold up some refunds, as some federal tax returns may be held for further review.

How Should You Request to Receive Your Refund?

The IRS gives you three options for receiving your refund:

1. Direct deposit (you can split your refund and have it sent to up to three banks)
2. Paper check (these are granted on a limited basis)
3. Deposit into U.S. Savings Bonds (As of January 1, 2025, this is no longer an option. The IRS recommends having your refund deposited into your account, then purchasing bonds through TreasuryDirect)

You can also apply a refund to any future taxes owed. This is a popular choice among some small business owners who are required to pay estimated taxes.

Of the three refund options available to you, direct deposit is the fastest and safest option. You can receive your refund via an ACH bank transaction in as little as a few days. Paper checks, however, can take over a week to process, several days to travel via the postal system, and several days to clear your bank.

*Note: Some tax software companies also offer the option of receiving a tax refund on a prepaid debit card. I’m not particularly fond of this option, but it is available to some tax filers. In this case, the refund is first sent to the tax preparation company. Then they issue you the prepaid debit card.

Tax Refund Schedule for Extensions and Amended Tax Returns

The refund schedule should be the same if you filed for a tax extension; however, there is no official schedule for tax refunds for amended tax returns. The above list only includes dates for e-filing an original tax return.

Amended tax returns are processed manually and often take 8-12 weeks to process. If you do not receive an amended tax return refund within eight weeks of filing it, you should contact the IRS to check the status.

How to Check the Status of Your Tax Return

You should be able to check the IRS tax refund status roughly 24 hours after you receive confirmation from the IRS that they have received your tax refund via e-File. Note: This is after the return has been accepted, not when you submitted the return to the IRS. You will need to wait at least four weeks if you mail in your tax return.

The best way to check the status of your federal tax refund is to visit the Where’s My Refund page at the IRS website.

What you will need:

• Social Security number
• Filing Status
• Exact refund amount

You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (for individuals) or 1-800-829-4933 (for businesses) to inquire about your tax return status with an IRS customer service representative or call 1-800-829-4477 to reach the 24-hour toll-free service providing tax help from the IRS. The IRS agents on the phone only have access to the same information provided on the Where’s My Refund page. You can call, but it is faster and easier to check online.

Note that the IRS only updates tax return statuses once a day during the week, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. They do not update the status more than once a day, so checking throughout the day will not give you a different result.

Should I Call the IRS to Check My Federal Tax Refund Status?

The IRS has stated you should only call them if it has been:

• 21 days or more since you e-filed
• Six weeks or more since you mailed your return, or when
• “Where’s My Refund” tells you to contact the IRS

How to Get a Larger Tax Refund Next Year

If you want a bigger tax refund next year, then there are a few ways you can increase the amount of money the government will give you as a tax refund. One of the easiest ways is by contributing to a tax-deferred retirement plan such as a 401(k), the Thrift Savings Plan, or by opening a Traditional IRA, which may entitle you to a yearly tax credit based on your annual contributions. IRA contributions are currently limited to $7,000 for 2025, or up to $8,000 if you are age 50 or older. You can open an IRA in a variety of locations, including banks, brokerage firms, independent advisors, and more.

Expert tip: Another way to save your tax dollars is by contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Savings Account (FSA). HSA contributions are currently limited to $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families. FSA contributions are currently limited to $3,300 for health care accounts and $5,000 for dependent care accounts. These saving tools can be powerful because neither the contributions nor the distributions are taxed, provided they are used for qualified expenses.

Getting Tax Relief if You Owe Money

If you go through the tax filing process and come out owing the government money, there are options for getting tax relief. You can negotiate directly with the IRS and state revenue agencies or hire a tax relief company to negotiate on your behalf.

If you owe less than $10,000 and your case is not complicated, you may be better off dealing directly with the IRS. Otherwise, tax relief experts such as tax attorneys and enrolled agents can save you time and improve your chances of negotiating generous terms on your tax settlement.

Some of the top companies to help with getting relief for taxes owed are: