When will I get my refund if I claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit?
The IRS expects most Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC/EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by March 2, 2026, if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with the tax return.
Some taxpayers will have access to their refund sooner, depending on the financial institution’s process.
Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, TurboTax can't access or provide updates on the status of your federal refund. The IRS Where's My Refund website will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC refund filers by February 21, 2026.
The PATH Act of 2015 was established to protect Americans from tax hikes and fraud while extending and improving several tax credits. Due to this law, the IRS won't issue refunds before mid-February for any tax return with the EIC or ACTC. This helps prevent identity theft and fraudulent returns.
You'll get your refund quicker if you:
E-file (instead of mailing your return)
Chose to get your refund via direct deposit
Have no issues with your return
