IRS Refund Schedule 2026: Complete Timeline for E-File and Paper Filing Refunds!

The IRS is going to start processing refunds for tax year 2025 in the last week of January 2026. As a taxpayer, you need to know that the IRS is not going to release any paper check refunds from this tax season; all refunds are going to be sent out through direct deposit in the taxpayer’s bank account.

As with every year, no refund schedule will be officially released for tax year 2025. Taxpayers who file their refund electronically will have to wait a maximum of three weeks to receive their refund. On-paper filing will remain unchanged, and refunds for the same will be received within approximately six weeks of filing.

IRS Refund Processing Time 2026: When to Expect Your Money

The most likely start date for tax season 2026 is January 21, 2026; it is the day when the Internal Revenue Service officially begins processing refunds. If you want your refund processed on this date, you’ll need to file your refund electronically a week earlier, in mid-January 2026.

IRS Refund Schedule 2026

The IRS will not release any schedule for the tax year 2025, but for your convenience, we have prepared a schedule based on the refund timeline so that you can know the date on which you will receive your refund if you file electronically or on paper.

IRS Confirms Faster 2026 Refunds for Early Filers: Here’s How to Get Yours

E-File 

On-paper File

Note that if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, your refund will be processed by the IRS after February 15, 2025, because this is prohibited by the PAHT Act. If you have filed your refund in the next state, then it is likely that you will get your refund in the last week of February 2025.

After electronic filing, a refund is received within 3 weeks only by those typed returns whose returns have provided all the details accurately; in case of any error, there may be an unexpected delay in receipt. Once the direct deposit is sent by the IRS, it takes a few hours to be received. In case of a technical error, you will have to wait at least 72 hours.

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Disclaimer: The details provided outline the expected 2026 IRS refund schedule. Always confirm dates and processing times with the official IRS website.