The Internal Revenue Service has released details regarding the refund timeline for tax year 2025. If you file your refund electronically, it will take a maximum of 21 days for your refund to be processed; for on-paper refunds, it will take up to six weeks.
The IRS will begin accepting refunds for tax season 2026 from the third week of January 2026. Initially, refunds will only be accepted for those who have not claimed CTC or EITC; refunds for those who have claimed tax credits will be processed after February 15, 2026.
Starting with tax returns in 2026, the Internal Revenue Service will no longer issue refunds by paper check, whether you file electronically or on paper. You will receive your payment by direct deposit only. Read this article to learn more about the refund timeline.
What’s the 2026 IRS tax refund processing timeline?
On-paper and electronic filing for tax year 2025 will begin in early January 2026, but processing will occur as scheduled. If you e-file your return early, it’s likely your return will be accepted on the day the 2026 tax season begins.
The sooner you file your refund electronically or on paper, the sooner you will receive it. Although the IRS does not issue a schedule for receiving refunds, we have created a refund calendar with a timeline that will help you estimate when you will receive your refund.
Electronic File
| File Date | Received by IRS | Accepted by IRS | Refund Sent by IRS |
| Jan 20 | Jan 21 | Jan 31–Feb 2 | Feb 7–9 |
| Jan 27 | Jan 28 | Feb 7–9 | Feb 14–16 |
| Feb 3 | Feb 4 | Feb 14–16 | Feb 21–23 |
| Feb 10 | Feb 11 | Feb 21–23 | Feb 28–Mar 2 |
| Feb 17 | Feb 18 | Feb 28–Mar 1 | Mar 7–9 |
| Feb 24 | Feb 25 | Mar 7–9 | Mar 14–16 |
| Mar 3 | Mar 4 | Mar 14–16 | Mar 21–23 |
| Mar 10 | Mar 11 | Mar 21–23 | Mar 28–30 |
| Mar 17 | Mar 18 | Mar 28–30 | Apr 4–6 |
| Mar 24 | Mar 25 | Apr 4–6 | Apr 11–13 |
| Mar 31 | Apr 1 | Apr 11–13 | Apr 18–20 |
| Apr 7 | Apr 8 | Apr 18–20 | Apr 25–27 |
| Apr 14 | Apr 15 | Apr 25–27 | May 2–4 |
| Apr 21 | Apr 22 | May 2–4 | May 9–11 |
| Apr 28 | Apr 29 | May 9–11 | May 16–18 |
On-Paper Filing
| File Date | Received by IRS | Accepted by IRS | Refund Sent by IRS |
| Jan 20 | Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Mar 3 |
| Jan 27 | Feb 3 | Mar 3 | Mar 10 |
| Feb 3 | Feb 10 | Mar 10 | Mar 17 |
| Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Mar 17 | Mar 24 |
| Feb 17 | Feb 24 | Mar 24 | Mar 31 |
| Feb 24 | Mar 3 | Mar 31 | Apr 7 |
| Mar 3 | Mar 10 | Apr 7 | Apr 14 |
| Mar 10 | Mar 17 | Apr 14 | Apr 21 |
| Mar 17 | Mar 24 | Apr 21 | Apr 28 |
| Mar 24 | Mar 31 | Apr 28 | May 5 |
| Mar 31 | Apr 7 | May 5 | May 12 |
| Apr 7 | Apr 14 | May 12 | May 19 |
| Apr 14 | Apr 21 | May 19 | May 26 |
| Apr 21 | Apr 28 | May 26 | Jun 2 |
| Apr 28 | May 5 | Jun 2 | Jun 9 |
The initial refund direct deposit for the individuals who don’t have claimed EITC or CTC will be received by February 7-9, 2026, and for the taxpayers who have claimed it, it will be received by the end of February 2026, in the case of electronic filing.
It takes only a few hours for the Internal Revenue Service to receive the direct deposit again after it is sent; in case of a technical error, it may take up to 72 hours.
You will receive your refund as per the timeline only if you have given all the details correctly in your return. If there is any mistake, your refund may get delayed indefinitely, and in some cases, you may have to file your amended return.
Disclaimer: 2026 IRS refund timelines are estimates only and can differ based on individual and IRS factors.
