If you claimed the EIC or Additional Child Tax Credit, you can expect to get your refund by February 28 as long as you e-filed, chose to get your refund via direct deposit, and have no issues with your return.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH Act) prevents the IRS from issuing early refunds (before mid-February) on any tax return that claims the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) and/or Additional Child Tax Credit.
Congress passed the PATH Act because identity thieves frequently claim one or both of these refundable tax credits. The PATH Act gives the IRS extra time to detect fraudulently-filed returns, which helps identity theft victims get their legitimate refunds more quickly.
You can track your refund status at the IRS Where's My Refund? site.
