The IRS is all set to release the tax refund to millions of residents in 2026. For which they officially have announced the refund timeline; if you e-file, you can expect your refund faster, and on-paper filers will have to wait a little longer.
From the 2026 tax season, the IRS won’t release any paper check refunds; only direct deposits are going to be received. In the case of e-filing, you have to wait at least 3 weeks, and on-paper filing takes up to 6 weeks to get processed.
The 2026 tax filing is all set to start from early January 2026, but the processing is expected to start from the third week of the month. Read this article to check when you can expect your refund direct deposit in case of e-filing or on-paper filing.
What’s the 2026 IRS Tax Refund Schedule?
The IRS doesn’t release any refund schedule publicly, but each taxpayer can check the date on which his or her direct deposit will be received once their return has been approved. For the convenience of the taxpayers, we have prepared a schedule to get the tax refund.
Refer to the table below to check when you can expect your refund direct deposit from the Internal Revenue Service in case of e-filing or on-paper filing on a date.
E-Filing
| Filed by You | Received by IRS | Approved by IRS | Sent by IRS |
| Jan 1 – Jan 7, 2026 | Jan 8 – Jan 10, 2026 | Jan 22 – Jan 26, 2026 | Jan 23 – Jan 31, 2026 |
| Jan 8 – Jan 14, 2026 | Jan 15 – Jan 17, 2026 | Jan 29 – Feb 2, 2026 | Jan 30 – Feb 7, 2026 |
| Jan 15 – Jan 21, 2026 | Jan 22 – Jan 24, 2026 | Feb 5 – Feb 9, 2026 | Feb 6 – Feb 14, 2026 |
| Jan 22 – Jan 28, 2026 | Jan 29 – Jan 31, 2026 | Feb 12 – Feb 16, 2026 | Feb 13 – Feb 21, 2026 |
| Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 5 – Feb 7, 2026 | Feb 19 – Feb 23, 2026 | Feb 20 – Feb 28, 2026 |
| Feb 5 – Feb 11, 2026 | Feb 12 – Feb 14, 2026 | Feb 26 – Mar 2, 2026 | Feb 27 – Mar 7, 2026 |
On-Paper Filing
| Filed by You | Received by IRS | Approved by IRS | Sent by IRS |
| Jan 1 – Jan 7, 2026 | Jan 15 – Jan 22, 2026 | Feb 12 – Feb 20, 2026 | Feb 20 – Mar 1, 2026 |
| Jan 8 – Jan 14, 2026 | Jan 23 – Jan 30, 2026 | Feb 21 – Mar 1, 2026 | Mar 1 – Mar 10, 2026 |
| Jan 15 – Jan 21, 2026 | Jan 31 – Feb 7, 2026 | Mar 2 – Mar 10, 2026 | Mar 10 – Mar 19, 2026 |
| Jan 22 – Jan 28, 2026 | Feb 8 – Feb 15, 2026 | Mar 11 – Mar 19, 2026 | Mar 19 – Mar 28, 2026 |
| Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 16 – Feb 23, 2026 | Mar 20 – Mar 28, 2026 | Mar 28 – Apr 6, 2026 |
| Feb 5 – Feb 11, 2026 | Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2026 | Mar 29 – Apr 6, 2026 | Apr 6 – Apr 15, 2026 |
The refund for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit will be processed after February 15, 2026, due to the PATH Act. If you claim the EITC or ACTC, you can expect your refund by late February or early March.
How to Check the 2026 IRS Tax Refund Status?
In order to check the 2026 IRS tax refund status, go through the step-by-step instructions available below.
- Navigate the official website of the IRS at https://irs.gov/.
- Click on ‘Get your refund status’ and go to the next page.
- Find and click on the option that reads ‘Check your refund.’
- Fill in your Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number accurately.
- Choose the tax year as 2025.
- Opt for the filing status as Single, Married-Filing Joint Return, Married-Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)/Surviving Spouse.
- Fill in the Refundable Amount, and click on the Submit button.
After e-filing, you have to wait 24 hours to be received by the IRS, and then it takes 10-14 days to be approved, and then it takes 5-6 days to be received.
Disclaimer: The 2026 IRS tax refund schedule is for informational purposes only. Confirm official dates and timelines with the IRS.
