When does the IRS issue refunds for EITC and ACTC?

Here’s what HIVE AI had to say about “When does the IRS issue refunds for EITC and ACTC?”:

When the IRS issues refunds for EITC and ACTC

• By law, the IRS can’t issue refunds for returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February (and this hold applies to the entire refund, not just the credit portion).
• For the 2026 filing season, the IRS indicates that for most early EITC/ACTC filers, Where’s My Refund? should show an updated status by February 21, 2026, and most refunds should be received by March 2, 2026 if you e-file, choose direct deposit, and there are no issues with the return.

Sources

1 – When to expect your refund if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit | Internal Revenue Service

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