IRS Tax Refund Schedule 2026: How to Check Status, When It Will Arrive

Tax refund check stamped "refund" on top of Form 1040

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Where is your federal tax refund? While the IRS began accepting tax returns as early as January 26, refunds aren't typically issued until at least mid-February.

However, the 2026 filing season might be different. 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 of new 2025 Trump/GOP tax and spending bill provisions. These factors could delay tax refund processing.

Plus, the IRS is eliminating paper checks this tax season, 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: Don't Overpay the IRS: 6 Tax Mistakes That Could Be Raising Your Bill

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:

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When to Expect Your Refund
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

Here is a general estimate of when you may expect your 2025 federal tax refund:

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2026 Tax Refund Dates
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

*February 16th is Presidents’ Day, and a federal holiday. Returns may experience mail and/or processing delays that week.

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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Kate is a CPA with experience in audit and technology. As a Tax Writer at Kiplinger, Kate believes that tax and finance news should meet people where they are today, across cultural, educational, and disciplinary backgrounds.