After you file


@Benson-Davis wrote:  I had a projective date when my refund should be deposited directly into my account. 02-12-2026 was the date, and I still haven't received it. Is the projective date provided by TurboTax valid

No.  It's an estimated date based simply on the common average processing times at the IRS.  The IRS says most filers who efile and choose direct deposit will receive their refunds within 21 days.   Everyone in TurboTax gets a 21 day date.

 

You should go by what you see at the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool to monitor your refund.   It should go through 3 stages:

  • Return received
  • Refund approved
  • Refund sent and an expected deposit date.

https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund

 

Also if you had any options such as "pay fees out of refund" or "up to 5 days early refund" offer, or Refund Advance, etc., those options involve a third-party bank which receives your refund first.