2026 IRS Tax Refund Schedule: When to Expect a Refund

The IRS announced the 2026 tax filing season begins Sunday, January 26, 2026. They expect approximately 164 million tax returns by the April 15th deadline.

Here are some tips to help you file your taxes fast—and get your tax return even faster, plus critical updates you need to know for the 2026 filing season.

Major Changes for the 2026 Tax Filing Season

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) – Major Tax Law Changes

The most significant development for the 2026 tax filing season is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025. Many provisions are retroactive to January 1, 2025, meaning taxpayers can claim these new deductions and credits when filing their 2025 tax returns in early 2026.

Key retroactive tax provisions include:

New Deductions for Workers

• No Tax on Tips: Qualified tip income is now tax-free for many workers in the service industry

• No Tax on Overtime: Certain qualified overtime pay is exempt from federal income tax

• Car Loan Interest Deduction: Up to $10,000 deductible for interest on loans for new, U.S.-assembled vehicles

• 100% Bonus Depreciation: Available for businesses on qualified property

Expanded Benefits for Seniors (Age 65+)

• $6,000 Senior Deduction: Additional deduction for taxpayers 65 and older (2025-2028)

  • Phases out starting at $75,000 MAGI (single) and $150,000 MAGI (joint filers)

• Additional Standard Deduction: $2,050 for single filers, $1,650 for joint filers (on top of the $6,000 senior deduction)

Increased Standard Deduction

For 2025 Tax Returns (filed in 2026):

• Single Filers: $15,750 (increase of $750 from 2024)

• Married Filing Jointly: $31,500 (increase of $1,500 from 2024)

• Heads of Household: $23,625 (increase of $1,125 from 2024)

For 2026 Tax Returns (filed in 2027): According to the IRS:

• Single Filers: $16,100

• Married Filing Jointly: $32,200

• Heads of Household: $24,150

Enhanced Child Tax Credit

• Maximum Child Tax Credit: $2,200 per child (up from prior amounts)

• Refundable Portion: $1,700 per child for 2026

SALT Deduction Cap Increase

• State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction: Cap raised to $40,000 (up from the previous $10,000 limit that was in place from 2018-2024)

Form 1099-K: Payment Card & Third-Party Network Transaction

MAJOR CHANGE: The 1099-K threshold has reverted to the original higher threshold under the OBBBA.

For 2025 and Beyond:

• Third-party payment platforms (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, etc.) are only required to send Form 1099-K if you received payments for goods or services totaling $20,000 OR MORE and had 200 or more transactions

• This is a significant change from the previously planned lower thresholds ($5,000 for 2024, $2,500 for 2025, $600 for 2026)

• The threshold applies to each platform individually - transactions across multiple platforms are not combined

• Form 1099-K must be sent by January 31

Important Note: Whether or not you receive a Form 1099-K, you must still report all taxable income on your tax return.

Form 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC Changes

Starting in 2026 (for tax year 2026):

• Reporting threshold increases from $600 to $2,000

• This applies to Form 1099-NEC (nonemployee compensation) and Form 1099-MISC (miscellaneous income)

• The threshold will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2027

• For the 2025 tax year (filing in 2026), the old $600 threshold still applies

Direct File Program Discontinued

Critical Update: IRS Direct File will not be available for the 2026 tax filing season and has been closed indefinitely.

Direct File was the free, government-run online tax filing tool that allowed eligible taxpayers in 25 states to file directly with the IRS. Nearly 300,000 taxpayers used it during the 2025 filing season.

What This Means for You:

• Taxpayers who previously used Direct File will need to use alternative filing methods

• Former Direct File users can no longer access prior returns through the Direct File portal

• Access your tax information through your IRS Online Account or request transcripts by mail

Free Filing Alternatives: Several free options remain available:

• IRS Free File: Available for taxpayers with adjusted gross income under $84,000

  • Partnership with private tax software companies

  • State filing may not be free

• Free File Fillable Forms: Available to all income levels, but requires manual completion

• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): Free help for those making under $67,000, elderly, disabled, or limited English speakers

• TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly): Free tax help for seniors

• MilTax: Free for military members, eligible family members, and first-year veterans

IRS Eliminates Paper Refund Checks

New Requirement: The IRS will no longer issue paper refund checks. Direct deposit is now mandatory.

For Those Without Bank Accounts:

• Prepaid debit cards are available (watch for fees)

• Digital wallets may be an option

• Paper checks will only be sent if no alternative is available

Note: In the 2025 filing season, 93% of refunds were already issued via direct deposit.

How to Get Your 2026 Tax Refund as Fast as Possible

The sooner you file, the sooner you'll get your refund.

The IRS expects to receive around 164 million tax returns in 2026. Most of these tax returns will likely be filed in mid-March through the April 15th deadline. If you file your tax returns during this time, your tax refund may be delayed due to the sheer number the IRS has to process.

Most tax refunds are issued within 21 days for e-filed returns with direct deposit. But several factors can impact this timing.

Here's what you can do to get your tax refund as fast as possible:

• File your tax returns electronically – IRS receives and can process your electronic tax return much faster than a paper tax return

• Use direct deposit to receive your refund – 9 out of 10 taxpayers that select direct deposit receive their refund in less than 3 weeks

• File early – Avoid the mid-March to April 15th rush when the IRS processes the highest volume of returns

• Ensure your tax information is accurate – The most common reason for a tax return delay is a filing error

Common Filing Errors to Avoid

Always double-check the following information to avoid delays:

• Social Security Numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents

• Information for all dependents (names, SSNs, dates of birth)

• Routing and account numbers for direct deposit

• Electronic signature confirming accuracy of all information on tax return

• Mathematical errors or miscalculations

• Failure to sign your return

Special Note for EITC and Child Tax Credit Filers:

• The IRS expects most refunds for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) to be available by March 2, 2026 for taxpayers who chose direct deposit

• Some taxpayers may receive their refund earlier, depending on their financial institution

• Where's My Refund? will provide projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC refund filers by February 21, 2026

2026 IRS Tax Refund Schedule Chart & Payment Calendar

The tax refund schedule chart and calendar below are based on IRS guidance and historical trends. Both have been updated for the 2026 tax filing season.

Important Dates for the 2026 Tax Filing Season

January 15, 2026: Fourth quarter estimated tax payment deadline for 2025 (for self-employed and those with income without withholding)

January 26, 2026: IRS begins processing tax returns for the 2026 tax filing season

January 31, 2026: Deadline for employers to send W-2 forms and certain 1099 forms (including 1099-NEC)

April 1, 2026: Due date to take the 2025 required minimum distribution from retirement accounts if you turned 73 during 2025

April 15, 2026:

• Tax filing deadline

• Tax extension request deadline (Form 4868)

• Payment deadline for any taxes due from tax year 2025 (even with extension)

• Deadline to make HSA and IRA contributions for tax year 2025

• First quarter 2026 estimated tax payment deadline

June 15, 2026: Second quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026

September 15, 2026: Third quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026

October 15, 2026: Tax return deadline for extension filers

December 31, 2026: Certain tax credits and provisions expire (including some EV tax credits, home energy credits, and enhancements to the Premium Tax Credit)

Extended Deadlines for Natural Disaster Victims

The IRS provides extended deadlines for victims of federally declared disasters. Check IRS.gov for the most current disaster relief information.

2026 IRS Tax Refund Schedule Chart

How fast you get your tax refund depends on how your tax return was filed and your chosen payment method.

Note: Paper checks are being phased out. Direct deposit is now the standard.

2026 IRS Refund Payment Calendar

More than 90% of tax refunds are delivered in less than 21 days after tax returns are processed.

The tax refund payment calendar below offers a rough estimate of when to expect a tax refund by direct deposit (approximately 14 days) and paper check by mail (approximately 21 days), though paper checks are being phased out.

Refunds may be delayed if filed in mid-March through the April 15th deadline because most of the 164 million tax returns expected in 2026 will be filed around this time.

* During peak tax filing season (Mid-March through April), the IRS may take longer to process tax returns.

Where's My Refund? How to Track Your 2026 IRS Tax Refund Status

The IRS has created two free tools to help you track your 2026 tax refund status:

• The Where's My Refund? tool, available on the IRS website

• The IRS2Go mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices

  
  

For the most up-to-date status on your tax refund, the IRS recommends using Where's My Refund?, which they recently updated to offer more detailed notifications on your refund status. The IRS only recommends calling them about your refund if Where's My Refund? recommends it.

To check the status of your tax refund using either of these tools, you will need:

• Social Security number OR Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

• Your filing status (married, single, or head of household)

• The exact amount of your tax refund listed on your tax return

  
  

Timeline for Checking:

• E-file returns: Check status within 24 hours of filing

• Paper returns: Wait 4 weeks after mailing before checking status

  
  

Other Important 2026 Tax Year Updates

IRA and 401(k) Contribution Limits

While 2026 contribution limits haven't been announced yet (typically released in late 2025), for reference:

• Monitor IRS.gov for 2026 retirement contribution limit announcements

• These are typically adjusted annually for inflation

HSA Contribution Limits

For tax year 2026:

• Self-only coverage: $4,350 (maximum out-of-pocket: $5,850)

• Family coverage: $8,750 (minimum deductible: $5,850, maximum out-of-pocket: $10,700)

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

For tax year 2026: $132,900 (up from $130,000 for 2025)

Annual Gift Exclusion

For tax year 2026: $19,000 (unchanged from 2025)

• Gifts to non-citizen spouses: $194,000 (up from $190,000)

Estate Tax Exclusion

For 2026: $15 million per person (up from $13.9 million in 2025)

• Will be indexed for inflation in future years

• Made permanent by OBBBA

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption

For 2026:

• Single filers: $90,100 (up from $88,100)

• Married filing jointly: $140,200 (up from $137,000)

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

For 2026:

• Maximum EITC for taxpayers with 3+ qualifying children: $8,231 (up from $8,046)

Important Reminders for 2026

New Tax Forms and Documentation

Form 1099-DA: New for 2025 tax year (filed in 2026)

• Required for cryptocurrency and digital asset transactions

• Digital asset brokers must issue this form for 2025 transactions

• Will be sent in early 2026

• You must report these transactions on your tax return

Credits and Provisions Expiring December 31, 2025

Electric Vehicle Tax Credits:

• Credits for new clean energy vehicles (up to $7,500) and used vehicles (up to $4,000) ended September 30, 2025

• Only purchases made before the cutoff date are eligible

Home Energy Tax Credits: End December 31, 2025

Premium Tax Credit Enhancements: End December 31, 2025

Student Loan Forgiveness:

• 2025 is the last year student loan debt forgiveness is non-taxable

• Starting in 2026, forgiven student loan amounts will be considered taxable income

• You'll receive Form 1099-C for forgiven debt starting in 2026

• The $2,500 student loan interest deduction remains unchanged for eligible filers

Charitable Donation Changes

Starting in 2026:

• New "floors" and "ceilings" on large, bunched, or front-loaded donations for itemizers

• Standard deduction filers will once again be able to deduct a portion of cash donations to qualified charitable organizations

Credentialed Tax Preparers Can Help

With all the new tax law changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, professional help may be more valuable than ever. Tax professionals can help ensure you're taking advantage of all new deductions and credits you qualify for.

The IRS maintains a public directory of credentialed tax professionals in their Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. Here, you'll find:

• Attorneys

• CPAs (Certified Public Accountants)

• Enrolled Agents

• Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) Record of Completion recipients

Understanding Representation Rights

Unlimited Representation Rights (Enrolled Agents, Attorneys, CPAs):

• Can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters

• Includes audits, collections, and appeals

• Required for complex tax situations

Limited Representation Rights (AFSP Credentialed Tax Preparers):

• Can represent clients for returns they prepared and signed

• Cannot represent in all IRS matters

Note: Tax preparers not listed in the IRS directory may help you file but cannot represent you if the IRS finds problems with your return.

The IRS created the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) to offer tax return preparers an additional, IRS-endorsed professional credential for voluntarily completing continuing education requirements.

Looking Ahead: Key Dates Throughout 2026

Q1 2026

• January 15: Q4 2025 estimated tax payment deadline

• January 26: Tax filing season opens

• January 31: W-2 and 1099 deadline for employers

• April 1: RMD deadline for those who turned 73 in 2025

• April 15: Tax filing deadline, extension deadline, Q1 2026 estimated tax deadline

Q2 2026

• June 15: Q2 2026 estimated tax payment deadline

Q3 2026

• September 15: Q3 2026 estimated tax payment deadline

Q4 2026

• October 15: Extension filers deadline

• December 31: Various tax credits and provisions expire

Q1 2027

• January 15, 2027: Q4 2026 estimated tax payment deadline

• Late January 2027: 2027 tax filing season opens (for 2026 tax year returns)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I get a larger refund in 2026 due to the OBBBA changes?

A: Many taxpayers may see larger refunds due to the increased standard deduction, child tax credit, and new deductions for tips, overtime, and car loans. However, your individual refund depends on your specific tax situation and withholding throughout the year.

Q: How do I claim the no tax on tips benefit?

A: The IRS is still finalizing specific rules for this deduction. Watch for IRS guidance and consult with a tax professional to ensure you're claiming it correctly.

Q: What if I can't file by April 15, 2026?

A: File Form 4868 to request an automatic 6-month extension to October 15, 2026. However, you must still pay any taxes owed by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.

Q: I used Direct File last year. What should I do now?

A: You'll need to use an alternative filing method. Consider IRS Free File (if you qualify based on income), commercial tax software, or a tax professional.

Q: When will the IRS update my refund status?

A: Where's My Refund? is updated once daily, usually overnight. Check back 24 hours after e-filing or 4 weeks after mailing a paper return.

Q: Do I still need to report income under $20,000 from payment apps?

A: Yes! Whether or not you receive a Form 1099-K, you must report all taxable income on your tax return. The reporting threshold only affects whether the payment platform sends you (and the IRS) a 1099-K form.

Conclusion

The 2026 tax filing season brings significant changes thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with many provisions retroactively applying to the 2025 tax year. From increased standard deductions to new credits and deductions, these changes could substantially impact your tax refund.

To maximize your refund and ensure compliance:

1. File early and electronically

2. Use direct deposit

3. Double-check all information for accuracy

4. Take advantage of all credits and deductions you qualify for

5. Consider professional help given the complexity of new tax laws

6. Keep detailed records throughout the year

With proper planning and attention to detail, you can navigate the 2026 tax season successfully and receive your refund as quickly as possible.

For the latest updates and information, always visit IRS.gov.