We’re officially in tax season and many Americans are eagerly awaiting their refunds.
But for millions, their tax refunds could be delayed by weeks. That’s according to a recent post by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which suggests that regulations could delay the processing time for taxpayers who benefit from two relatively popular programs (1).
“We may need more information from you about your return,” the agency says on its website. If you think your refunds may be impacted, here’s what you need to know.
In most cases, the IRS insists tax refunds are processed within 21 days (2).
However, the agency also points out that in some cases, you may need to provide additional information and that could delay the process of issuing refunds to certain individuals.
In 2026, taxpayers who are eligible for two specific programs — Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) — could be impacted by this delay.
The agency suggests beneficiaries of these two popular programs could see their refunds by March 2nd, if they file their taxes online, choose to get a refund via direct debit and if the agency finds no issues or gaps in the return.
If the IRS does spot a gap, it might send out a letter to request clarification, possibly delaying the process further.
If you’re wondering why the agency can’t issue a partial refund while it processes these two credits, the IRS points to federal regulations as a roadblock.
Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, anyone receiving these two credits cannot be issued a refund until the end of February, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service (3). This rule compels the agency to withhold the entire refund — not just the portion that is associated with these two programs.
Unfortunately, given how popular these programs are, millions of ordinary families could face a delay in much needed cash relief.
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The delay could impact families that depend on EITC and ACTC as a critical financial lifeline.
