When will the IRS start accepting tax returns 2026? Direct Deposit for E-File and On-paper!

The IRS may start accepting returns for tax year 2025 from late January 2026; the electronic filing and on-paper filing process will start a week before this date. The date mentioned above is the date on which the processing of tax returns will begin for those taxpayers who have not claimed ACTC or EITC.

If you claim Additional Income Tax Credits or Additional Child Tax Credits with your 2026 return, your refund will be processed after February 15, 2026, because the PATH Act stops doing so before mid-February. Taxpayers claiming these types of credits will likely have their returns processed by February 17, 2026.

The provision of paper check refunds has been abolished from the year 2026, which means that now no taxpayer will get the refund through paper check, whether he/she e-files or on paper. In case of e-filing, the direct report will be received within 21 days, and in case of on-paper, this time can be 6 weeks.

When will the IRS start accepting tax returns for 2026?

The IRS has not yet officially released the date the 2026 tax season will begin, i.e., when they will begin processing refunds for the 2025 tax year. However, it is likely that this process will begin on January 27, 2026. Those whose returns are accepted on this date are likely to receive their returns by February 6, 2026.

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The electronic and on-paper filing process will start from January 2026, but its processing will be done as per the schedule. Note that if you claim EITC or ACTC in your 2026 federal tax return, then in this case you will have to wait till 15 February 2026 for its processing, and then you will get your refund within 10 days.

Note that it takes approximately 21 days to receive the refund after e-filing. If you e-file your 2025 returns, they will be received within 24 hours, and it takes 10 to 14 days for processing. Once the processing is complete, the refund is sent within 5 to 7 days, and within a few hours you will have received the direct deposit.

If you file on paper, you’ll have to wait six weeks to receive your refund. Your refund will be received by the IRS four weeks after filing on paper, which will be processed within 10 days and then sent within three to four days. Keep in mind that any mistakes on paper filing could significantly delay your refund.

What’s the expected IRS refund schedule for 2026?

The IRS doesn’t officially issue a refund schedule so you can know when you’ll receive your refund. However, we’ve created an expected schedule table based on the refund timeline, which can help you estimate when you’ll receive your direct deposit if you file for your refund on a specific date.

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Below we have provided a table to show on which date you will receive the direct deposit from the Internal Revenue Service if you file electronically or on paper on a date.

The schedule given above is an estimated one; it does not mean that you will get your refund on the exact same date. It is possible that you may get the refund 1 or 2 days earlier, or there may be a delay of a day or two.

Can I check the IRS direct deposit date?

Yes, you can find out the date you are going to receive your direct deposit. It can be checked on the ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool. Whether you file your 2026 return electronically or on paper, you’ll be able to easily check when you’ll receive your direct deposit, provided your return has been accepted by the IRS.

Disclaimer: IRS 2026 tax return start date information is for general awareness. Official filing dates are determined and announced by the IRS.

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