Is the IRS not issuing refunds until mid February?

Asked by: Ms. Aryanna Buckridge MD  |  Last update: January 14, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (75 votes)

By law, we must wait until mid-February to issue refunds to taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. Still not sure if you qualify for the EITC? These resources may help: Basic EITC qualifications.

Why is the IRS not processing tax returns until Feb?

By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for returns that properly claim the advanced child tax credit or the earned income tax credit. The IRS must delay the entire refund, not just the amount associated with the credits.

Why is my refund being held till mid-February?

mn0423: Congress mandated that every February returns with EITC and ACTC credits be delayed to give the IRS more time to receive information from employers about each employee's W-2, etc., so the IRS would have that information to help verify when reviewing these returns.

Is IRS releasing funds on February 15th?

So, if you file on the first day, you might still be waiting until February 15 for your refund. This is due to the PATH Act. Learn more about the PATH Act here. The IRS typically provides updates with direct deposit dates, assuming there are no other problems with the tax returns.

How early will the IRS release refunds?

The IRS expects more than 140 million individual tax returns for tax year 2024 to be filed ahead of the April 15 deadline, the agency said. The IRS expects to issue most refunds via direct deposit in less than 21 days, according to the agency, but some returns may require additional review that takes longer to process.

What’s IRS Mid-February in 2023 - Here’s When Your Tax Refund Actually Will Be Issued

16 related questions found

Is the IRS sending out EITC refunds yet?

If you claim the EITC, your refund may be delayed. By law, the IRS cannot issue EITC refunds before mid-February. The IRS expects most EITC refunds to be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 1, if you chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return.

What day does the IRS send out direct deposits?

Day of the week for IRS refund deposits

The IRS typically processes tax refunds and executes direct deposit transactions within 21 days after accepting your tax return. It's common for the IRS to issue them on business days, from Monday through Friday.

Why is my federal refund taking so long?

Why is my refund taking so long? A refund will take longer if you file by mail or don't select direct deposit. In addition, if the return is more complex or corrections are needed, it may slow the process down.

What does mid-February mean for taxes?

If you claim this credit, your refund may be delayed. By law, we must wait until mid-February to issue refunds to taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.

How do I know if my tax return has been flagged?

If the IRS decides that your return merits a second glance, you'll be issued a CP05 Notice. This notice lets you know that your return is being reviewed to verify any or all of the following: Your income. Your tax withholding.

How long can the IRS legally take to process your refund?

If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund should be issued in about six to eight weeks from the date IRS receives your return. If you file your return electronically, your refund should be issued in less than three weeks, even faster when you choose direct deposit.

When to expect tax refund with child credit 2024?

For early filers: The IRS cannot send out refunds for returns claiming the additional child tax credit until mid-February, as per the law. If you go for direct deposit, file online, and make sure your return is error-free, the IRS says you should see your refund in your account by February 27, 2024.

Should I be worried if my refund is still being processed?

If your refund status used to be your tax return is still being processed, but now the status says it is being processed, the IRS may have detected an issue in your tax return that could cause a delay in the release of your tax refund.

How long after IRS sends a refund to bank will I get it?

If you e-filed your return and chose direct deposit to receive your refund, you'll usually receive your refund in 8-15 days. However, you should allow an extra 1-5 business days for your bank to process the funds. If you chose the Refund Transfer option, the refund will come from the Axos Bank®, not the IRS.

What time do direct deposits come out?

What time your direct deposit hits depends on the financial institution. Most recipients can expect their direct deposits to be available by 9 a.m. on payday, with many banks allowing funds to be released between midnight and 6 a.m. If your bank allows for the funds to be released sooner, you'll see them then.

Is the child tax credit 2024 direct deposit?

In the 2024 tax year, the CTC will not be paid out in the form of payments. Instead, it's a tax benefit that can provide families with up to $2,000 in tax relief per qualifying child. If your tax is already $0, you could get up to $1,700 per qualifying child as a refund.

Why can't the IRS issue refunds before mid-February?

I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on my tax return. When can I expect my refund? According to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue EITC and ACTC refunds before mid-February.

How to get $7000 tax refund?

Who can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
  1. Have investment income of less than $11,600 in tax year 2024.
  2. Have a valid Social Security number by the due date of your 2024 return.
  3. Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the entire year.
  4. Not file Form 2555 (foreign earned income)

What time do IRS release refunds?

According to the IRS, most refunds will be issued within than 21 days after the return has been accepted. If you file early with TaxSlayer before the IRS begins processing returns for the year, we will hold onto your return and send it as soon as the IRS opens for the filing season.

What disqualifies you from earned income credit?

You can't claim the EIC unless your investment income is $11,600 or less. If your investment income is more than $11,600, you can't claim the credit. Use Worksheet 1 in this chapter to figure your investment income.

How often do the IRS update refund status in 2024?

Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours.