Although we're past the April 15 Tax Day deadline, you may still want to check your bank account: IRS refunds are still rolling out.
The current average federal tax refund is around $3,268, according to the most recent IRS data, which is an almost 8% increase over the same period last year.
However, a larger refund is only beneficial if you can access it. In a historic shift for the 2026 tax season, the IRS effectively eliminated paper checks for most individual returns.
This has triggered a wave of CP53E notices — letters typically sent when the IRS can't verify direct deposit information. Unfortunately, the transition has been plagued by confusion.
As Kiplinger has reported, millions of letters have been sent to unsuspecting taxpayers, including some erroneous CP53E notices. There are also concerns that fraudsters may seize the opportunity to circulate sophisticated forgeries. (For more information on what to do if you receive a direct deposit letter, see our report: Taxpayer Confusion Grows Over Whether CP53E Notices Are Real.)
Otherwise, read on for the 2026 federal tax refund schedule to know when and how you can expect your legitimate payment from the IRS.
Where’s my IRS tax refund?
Your IRS refund depends in part on your filing method. Below are estimated timeframes for when you might expect to receive your tax refund.
- E-filed returns can take up to 21 days to process a refund.
- Mailed returns take four to eight weeks to process a refund.
Note: The above periods are after the IRS has accepted your return.
It’s also important to note that errors in your tax forms, IRS processing delays or bank delays might extend the waiting period for your tax refund.
IRS tax refund delay
Certain factors can affect the timing of your tax refund, including:
- When you filed. Filing during the busiest time of the tax season (roughly late March to mid-April) might delay your refund.
- Which credits you claimed. Certain credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), can delay tax returns due to the IRS needing more time to review.
- How you submitted your return. Electronically filed returns typically process one to five weeks faster than mail-in returns.
-
If you owed the IRS any money. If you have an outstanding tax liability with the IRS, the tax agency might apply part or all your refund to repay your debt.
IRS refund schedule
Your refund delivery is based partly on which filing method and refund delivery method you chose:
Refund Delivery Time |
Filing & Refund Delivery Methods |
|---|---|
Three weeks |
E-file and direct deposit |
Four weeks |
E-file and check |
Four to eight weeks |
Mail in return and direct deposit |
Four to nine weeks |
Mail in return and check |
Note: The above estimates are based on the IRS having already accepted your return. Processing delays or errors in the return might cause you to receive your federal refund after these dates.
As of the just-completed 2026 tax season, the IRS has generally stopped mailing paper refund checks. However, if you have an exception to this rule (such as no access to a banking service or a certain disability), you might still receive a paper check.
For more information, check out Kiplinger's report, IRS Phased Out Paper Checks: What Happens Next?
Tax refund calendar 2026
Here is a general estimate of when you might expect your 2025 federal tax refund:
Date return is filed and accepted: |
Date Direct Deposit might arrive: |
Date mailed check might arrive: |
|---|---|---|
March 18 |
April 8 |
May 17 |
March 25 |
April 15 |
May 24 |
April 1 |
April 22 |
May 31 |
April 8 |
April 29 |
June 7 |
April 15 |
May 6 |
June 14 |
April 22 |
May 13 |
June 21 |
April 29 |
May 20 |
June 28 |
May 6 |
May 27 |
July 5 |
May 13 |
June 3 |
July 12 |
May 20 |
June 10 |
July 19 |
Note: The above table is an estimate and can be influenced by several factors, including but not limited to processing delays, tax credits claimed, and whether you filed during the busiest time of the season.
Tax refund status: How to check it
You can check the status of your tax refund by using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool. The webpage will show you the status of your tax refund as early as 24 hours after the IRS has accepted your return.
You can also download the IRS2Go app to check your tax refund status. You can also call the automated IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954.
State income tax refunds
Each state has a different tax refund schedule. For example, North Carolina paper filers might not receive a refund for up to three months, while Oklahoma taxpayers can expect a refund about five to six weeks after the state accepts the return.
However, some states might allow you to check your tax refund status. Visit your state’s Department of Revenue website for more information.
