It’s officially tax season and many Americans are eagerly awaiting their refunds.
But for millions, their tax refunds could be delayed by weeks. This is according to a recent publication from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which suggests that the regulations could delay 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 affected, here’s what you need to know.
In most cases, the IRS insists that tax refunds be processed within 21 days (2).
However, the agency also notes that in some cases, you may need to provide additional information and that could delay the process of issuing refunds to certain people.
In 2026, taxpayers who are eligible for two specific programs: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), could be affected by this delay.
The agency suggests that recipients of these two popular programs could see their refunds by March 2, 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 detects a gap, it could send a letter requesting clarification, possibly further delaying the process.
If you’re wondering why the agency can’t issue a partial refund while processing these two credits, the IRS points to federal regulations as an obstacle.
Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, anyone who receives these two credits cannot receive a refund until the end of February, according to the Taxpayer Advocacy Service (3). This rule requires the agency to withhold the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these two programs.
Unfortunately, given the popularity of these programs, millions of ordinary families could face a delay in much-needed cash assistance.
Read more: The average net worth of Americans is a staggering $620,654. But it almost doesn’t mean anything. Here’s the number that counts (and how to make it fire)
The delay could impact families who rely on the EITC and ACTC as a critical financial lifeline.