The 2026 tax season will start on 27 January 2026, and the taxpayer will have time until April 15, 2026, to file their tax returns electronically. The extended deadline to file the tax return is going to be October 15, 2026.
Here, we have shared what you need to know about the federal return for tax year 2025. Read this article thoroughly to check the refund schedule, filing process, step-by-step instructions to check the refund status, and more.
IRS Opening Date 2026
The Internal Revenue Service is likely to start accepting the return from 27 January 2026. After filing, you will get your refund within 21 days through the direct deposit. Note: you can e-file your return from early January 2026.
Note that if you claim the earned income tax credit (EITC) or additional child tax credit (ACTC), your return will be processed after February 15, 2026. To ensure that you get the refund on time, make sure you file early.
Refund Schedule
The IRS won’t release the refund schedule for the tax year 2025. Note that after e-filing within 21 days, you will get the refund in your bank account through the direct deposit.
Below, we have shared an estimated refund schedule for the tax year 2025. Go through the table below to check when you can expect to get the tax return direct deposit.
| Refund Received | Refund Accepted | Refund Sent |
| January 27 | February 10 | February 14 |
| February 3 | February 17 | February 21 |
| February 10 | February 24 | February 28 |
| February 17 | March 3 | March 7 |
| February 24 | March 10 | March 14 |
| March 2 | March 17 | March 21 |
| March 9 | March 24 | March 28 |
| March 16 | March 31 | April 4 |
| March 23 | April 7 | April 11 |
| March 30 | April 14 | April 18 |
| April 6 | April 21 | April 25 |
| April 13 | April 28 | May 2 |
| April 20 | May 5 | May 9 |
| April 27 | May 12 | May 16 |
| May 4 | May 19 | May 23 |
| May 11 | May 26 | May 30 |
| May 18 | June 2 | June 6 |
| May 25 | June 9 | June 13 |
| June 1 | June 16 | June 20 |
| June 8 | June 23 | June 27 |
Once the refund is sent by direct deposit, you will get the payout within 24 hours. If there are any technical issues, the payment may be delayed by 72 hours.
How to file a tax refund?
To electronically file for the 2025 return for the tax year 2024, the complete step-by-step instructions are available below.
- Go to the official website of the Internal Revenue Service at irs.gov/.
- Tap on the ‘Explore free filing options’ button and go to the next page.
- Hit on the ‘Use IRS Free File’ and get redirected to another webpage.
- Tap on ‘Use Fillable Forms,’ and get redirected to the next page.
- Click on the ‘Start Free File Fillable Forms,’ and go to the next page.
- Again, you need to find and hit on the ‘Start Free File Fillable Forms’ and access the account creation page.
- Create an account by providing all required details, and then log in with a valid User ID and PIN.
- Fill in all required details, attach documents in the required size and format, and submit it to file.
How to check refund status?
The step-by-step instructions to check the IRS tax refund status are available below; go through them to check all details about it.
- Access the ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool by visiting irs.gov/wheres-my-refund.
- Click on the ‘Check your refund’ button.
- Fill in your SSN, tax year, filing status, and refundable amount.
- Click on the Submit button.
After going through the instructions given above, you will successfully have that your IRS has accepted, received, or sent your return.
Disclaimer: The IRS 2026 opening date and refund schedule information is for general guidance only. Actual filing dates and refund processing are determined by the IRS.