02/18/2026
📢 EITC / ACTC Refund Update 📢
If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS expects most refunds to be issued by March 2 if:
✔️ You filed your return online
✔️ You chose direct deposit
✔️ There are no issues with your return
🔎 Where’s My Refund? should show updated statuses by February 21 for most early filers.
⏳ Why the wait?
By law, the IRS cannot release EITC/ACTC refunds before mid-February. This helps prevent fraud and protects taxpayers.
📬 If the IRS needs more information, they will send you a letter so keep an eye on your mail.
📲 You can track your refund anytime using:
• IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool
• Your IRS Online Account
• IRS2Go mobile app
⚠️ Reminder: Banks may take extra time to process deposits, and weekends/holidays can affect timing.
Find out when to expect your refund if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).