The 2026 tax season is less than two months away, and taxpayers have started to prepare for their tax returns. Taxpayers should know what they can do to get their tax refund faster. You can find tips here that can process your tax refund faster, along with other details.
The IRS has encouraged taxpayers to take steps to prepare for the tax filing season. The IRS processes millions of returns every year and processes most of the refunds within 21 days of filing if it is directly deposited.
The tax refund distribution depends on the tax filing time, the refund payment method you selected, and the credit you have claimed. Hence, while you prepare for the 2026 tax season, you must be aware of things that can influence the faster tax refund.
What’s the IRS refund timeline?
Before you move to the tips to get your IRS tax refund faster, you should understand the following IRS timeline of processing the refund, because it depends on many factors:
- If you have e-filed your tax return and selected direct deposit, you will receive the refund within 21 days of filing if everything is correct in the return.
- If you filed your return through the mail and selected direct deposit, you can expect the refund in one month.
- If you e-filed the tax return and selected a paper check, it can take more than a month for the refund to be delivered.
- If you have opted for offline ways for tax return as well as receiving the refund, you can expect the paper check in six to eight weeks.
Important Note:
- The IRS has implemented the plan to stop the paper checks to reduce spending and fraudulent activities, so you may not find the paper check option in the 2026 tax season. The agency will soon release the details on this matter and instructions.
What can you do for a 2026 faster tax refund?
Now, let’s talk about what you can do to get your IRS tax refund process faster after you file the tax return:
- Prepare in advance for tax return: With tax season approaching, you should start preparing for the tax return and begin collecting the records or documents you will need for the valid return. You organize the tax records, such as bank account info, Forms W-2, 1099, and past tax records, etc.
- E-file tax return: You should opt for e-filing as it will be reviewed faster than the mailed IRS form, which can speed up your refund process.
- Go for Direct Deposit: The IRS encourages taxpayers to go for the direct deposit because the refund process is faster and cost-free for the agency.
- Double-check tax return: When you e-file your tax return, ensure that all the information you mention and the deductions & credits claims you have made are accurate, so that it won’t have a problem in processing.
- File early: The IRS encourages taxpayers to file the tax return early, as it is less rushed than the end of the season and has a higher rate of processing the refund faster.
- Track your tax refund: You could track your tax return and refund through the IRS tool and stay updated on what stage your return or refund has reached to take timely action.
What can delay your 2026 tax refund?
While learning about the faster tax refund, you should also be aware of the reasons that can delay your tax refund to avoid them in the future:
- Incomplete return: Your tax return must be filled out with all the correct information; otherwise, it can take time in review, and the agency can ask for more information that can halt the refund process.
- Invalid bank information: You must check your bank information and bank account before filing a tax return to ensure it does not create issues when the refund is processed.
- PATH Act restriction: The IRS has to stop tax refunds for returns with ACTC/ EITC claims due to the PATH Act restriction, which can delay your tax refund till 15 February 2026.
- Suspicious returns: If the agency finds anything suspicious in your tax return that can lead to fraud, they can stop the process until further investigation.
How to track your 2026 tax refund?
The IRS allows taxpayers to track their tax refund easily through the Where’s My Refund tool. So, if you are worried about the tax refund, you can follow the steps below to track it after a certain time of filing the tax return:
- Visit the IRS official website and click the tax refund status option.
- Next, on the Where’s My Refund page, read all the instructions and click the “check my refund” option.
- Now, enter your tax year, filing status, SSN, and refund amount, and click the Submit button to see your tax refund status.
The Where’s My Refund tool will tell you if your return is accepted, the refund is approved, and when the agency has processed your refund to estimate your refund date.
The IRS has made the tax filing easy for the taxpayers and encouraged them to go for e-filing, direct deposit, and be aware of their tax liability to take advantage of the tax policies and services.
Disclaimer: Guidance on the fastest way to receive your IRS refund in 2026 is for informational purposes only. Actual processing times and rules are determined solely by the IRS.