The IRS is all set to start the 2026 tax season most probably in the middle of January, and refunds for the taxpayers are expected to begin most probably at the end of the same month.
The tax refund from the agency will be received by taxpayers within 21 days after the electronic filing. If you file your taxes on paper, you have to wait at least 8 weeks to receive them.
The date on which you will get the federal tax refund depends on your return filing type. If you e-file, you will get it sooner, and if you file on paper, you have to wait for a while.Â
What are the 2026 tax refund direct deposit dates?
The IRS will release the tax refund via direct deposit; it will be received in due time after electronic and on-paper filing. The table below carries the expected direct deposit dates to get the federal tax refund.
Electronic Filling
| Filed | Received | Approved | Refund Sent |
| Jan 15 | Jan 16 | Jan 23–28 | Jan 31–Feb 5 |
| Jan 22 | Jan 23 | Jan 30–Feb 4 | Feb 6–11 |
| Jan 29 | Jan 30 | Feb 6–11 | Feb 13–18 |
| Feb 5 | Feb 6 | Feb 13–18 | Feb 20–25 |
| Feb 12 | Feb 13 | Feb 20–25 | Feb 27–Mar 3 |
| Feb 19 | Feb 20 | Feb 27–Mar 3 | Mar 6–11 |
| Feb 26 | Feb 27 | Mar 5–10 | Mar 13–18 |
| Mar 5 | Mar 6 | Mar 13–18 | Mar 20–25 |
| Mar 12 | Mar 13 | Mar 20–25 | Mar 27–Apr 1 |
| Mar 19 | Mar 20 | Mar 27–Apr 1 | Apr 3–8 |
On-paper Filing
| Filed | Received | Approved | Refund Sent |
| Jan 15 | Feb 12 | Feb 19–25 | Mar 5–12 |
| Jan 22 | Feb 19 | Feb 26–Mar 3 | Mar 13–20 |
| Jan 29 | Feb 26 | Mar 4–10 | Mar 21–28 |
| Feb 5 | Mar 4 | Mar 11–17 | Apr 1–8 |
| Feb 12 | Mar 11 | Mar 18–24 | Apr 9–16 |
| Feb 19 | Mar 18 | Mar 25–31 | Apr 17–24 |
| Feb 26 | Mar 25 | Apr 1–7 | Apr 25–May 2 |
| Mar 5 | Apr 1 | Apr 8–14 | May 3–10 |
| Mar 12 | Apr 8 | Apr 15–21 | May 11–18 |
| Mar 19 | Apr 15 | Apr 22–28 | May 19–26 |
Once the direct deposit for the federal tax refund is issued by the Internal Revenue Service, it is received within a few hours. It may be delayed by 72 hours in case of a technical error with the bank.
If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC) in your tax return, you have to wait until late February 2026 to get the direct deposit, because the PATH Act stops the agency from processing these refunds before mid-February.
How to Check the 2026 Tax Refund Direct Deposit Status?
In order to check the direct deposit status for the 2026 federal tax refund, please follow the step-by-step instructions.
- Go to the official website of the Internal Revenue Service at irs.gov/.
- Find and click on the option that reads ‘Get your refund status.’
- Tap on ‘Check your refund’ to access the Where’s My Refund? tool.
- Fill in your Social Security Number, tax year, filing status, and refund amount, and click on Submit.
After going through the introduction given above, you will have successfully checked that the IRS has received, approved, and sent it. If it is approved, you will see a date on which you are going to get your direct deposit.
What’s the meaning of the 2026 tax refund stages?
The different stages of the 2026 federal tax refund are received, approved, and sent. Their meanings can be found below:
- Received: The IRS has received your federal tax return, but they are yet to review and process it.
- Approved: The IRS has approved your tax return, and the refund will be sent out in the next few days.
- Send: The IRS has sent the refund via direct deposit; it will be received within a few hours in the bank account.
Disclaimer: IRS 2026 refund deposit details are for general awareness only. Official dates and eligibility are determined by the IRS.