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New Member
posted Feb 3, 2025 5:49:54 AM

If i chose the 5 days faster selection. Will the path act delay or hinder the selection?

1 24 18375
24 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2025 6:02:58 AM

Due to PATH Act, the IRS holds refunds for EITC/ACTC customers until March 3.  You should still receive your refund 5 days early. This date is calculated based on 5 days prior to when the IRS releases your refund.

 

Here is more information on the 5 Day Early option: 5 Days Early

 

Please note: If your federal refund is deposited into your selected bank account less than 5 days before the IRS refund settlement date (the date it would have arrived if sent from the IRS directly), then you will not pay the 5 Days Early 

New Member
Feb 3, 2025 7:08:00 AM

So, that i have the correct understanding. The Path Act does not affect the 5 days early program and that i should still get my taxes 5 days sooner? 

Expert Alumni
Feb 3, 2025 7:21:25 AM

Yes, 5 day earlier than the date the IRS states on Where's My Refund.

New Member
Feb 3, 2025 7:24:33 AM

Thank you so much. I know this question has been asked since the release of the program. Thank you for answers so fast hopefully it solves a lot of people’s questions. 

New Member
Feb 7, 2025 5:37:56 PM

LOL they DO NOT hold it until March 3rd. That is their BY DATE. They said MOST will have it BY then if they fall under PATH. That's the latest refund date provided if filing before 2/15 and everything is accurate and you chose DD.

New Member
Feb 8, 2025 2:33:45 AM

Ok but I checked on credit karma refund tracking and it says that my federal was sent now is that true or not 

New Member
Feb 8, 2025 7:05:34 AM

If this is true then why did I get an emailfrom turbotax  last week stating no refunds would be deposited till after PATH date? 

New Member
Feb 11, 2025 5:03:56 PM

Well ,now I feel like I wasted my money.  Every year since path started ,I get a date  on WMR and my refund hits my checking account days before the date the Irs gives.  Guess, I'll wait and see ...

Level 1
Feb 11, 2025 7:57:13 PM

Hi, 
I'm a little confused. I'm in a similar situation. Based on the date given, opted for fund being deposited 5 days earlier and have refund already approved, will refunds be deposited 5 days before the March 3rd date or after? 

Expert Alumni
Feb 12, 2025 6:03:01 AM

Due to PATH Act, the IRS holds refunds for EITC/ACTC customers until March 3You should still receive your refund 5 days early. This date is calculated based on 5 days prior to when the IRS releases your refund.

 

Here is more information on the 5 Day Early option: 5 Days Early

 

Please note: If your federal refund is deposited into your selected bank account less than 5 days before the IRS refund settlement date (the date it would have arrived if sent from the IRS directly), then you will not pay the 5 Days Early 

New Member
Feb 12, 2025 2:56:29 PM

This is not true. They hold the PATH refunds until February 15th. How are you certified to do taxes and don’t know this? They absolutely do not hold them until March 3rd.

Expert Alumni
Feb 12, 2025 3:04:57 PM

If you click on the March 3 link, it will take you to the IRS website where that is stated.

Level 1
Feb 12, 2025 3:30:40 PM

March 3rd is listed on the IRS site. It says "by March 3rd", so I'm assuming they may release it earlier? 

New Member
Feb 14, 2025 3:11:44 PM

Does this count weekends

Level 1
Feb 14, 2025 4:10:30 PM

If that date.of March 3 is true, tell me why every previous year I’ve had my deposit between Feb 20. The past 4 years. And you’re calling yourself a tax professional?

Level 1
Feb 14, 2025 4:14:51 PM

From your own link, it says BY March 3. Not that they hold funds and don’t deposit them “until” March 3. Just loud and consistently wrong.

Level 1
Feb 15, 2025 3:08:17 AM

Funds are released after February 15th when PATH ends, not March 3rd! People will start to see deposits on the 18th (small batch). Then a big batch of Deposits around the 21st- 22nd 

Level 1
Feb 15, 2025 3:13:04 AM

Funds will be released after February 15th when PATH ends. As long as your refund is correct, I guarantee you will have it before March. If you have the PATH MESSAGE when you check WHERE'S MY REFUND, then you're only waiting for it to end.

New Member
Feb 15, 2025 3:03:09 PM

So I just got the path statement on my wmr.   Feb 14th.   So does that mean I'll have to wait until they remove the statement before I'll get my refund? 

 

Expert Alumni
Feb 15, 2025 4:02:25 PM

Under the federal Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) refunds before mid-February. Where's My Refund? should show an updated status by February 22 for most early EITC/ACTC filers. 

 

The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by March 3 if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.

 

@smithkjnc 

New Member
Feb 18, 2025 12:50:58 AM

Yes it states clearly by the 3rd. However, they lift it on what was supposed to be the 17th but the 17th is president day so it will be lifted on the 18th... but by the 3rd is when most people should start receiving their money 

Level 2
Feb 19, 2025 1:10:50 AM

I've had Path multiple times and they only hold the refund until mid-February. I've got it as early as the 24 without paying for 5 days early.

New Member
Feb 26, 2025 9:23:02 AM

The 5 days early option was canceled by the IRS you will receive refund if you paid for the service 

Expert Alumni
Feb 26, 2025 9:25:25 AM

In order to deliver your refund to you early, the IRS needs to communicate your refund amount and expected refund delivery date to TurboTax, often referred to as the refund settlement date or the date you would have received the refund had you received it directly from the IRS. Unfortunately, TurboTax did not receive the information when expected, and it impacted our ability to provide the Up to 5 Days Early service to some customers.   Customers who did not receive their refund up to 5 days early will receive their refund on the date they would have received it had it been sent to them directly from the IRS. The Up to 5 days Early service does not delay the delivery of the refund.

Other reasons you may not have received your refund up to 5 days early include:

  • If the IRS offsets your refund, reducing your refund to less than the minimum amount for Up to 5 Days Early. More information about refund offsets can be found here.
  • Some banks do not accept Real Time Payment (RTP) or Same Day ACH transfers. Check to see if your bank accepts these.
  • Some banks put a limit on the size of transfers they are able to process. If your refund exceeds your bank's maximum threshold, we will be unable to deliver your refund up to 5 days early. 

Since we were unable to successfully deliver your refund early, you were not charged for the Up to 5 Days Early service and your refund will be deposited in your bank account by the date you would have received the refund had you received it directly from the IRS. 

 

@shawnab969