Update (March 31, 2026): The PATH Act hold for 2026 has already lifted. The IRS began releasing EITC and ACTC refunds on March 2, 2026 for early filers. If you filed in January or February and claimed these credits, your refund should already be in your bank account. If you filed in March or later, your refund is still on the way — use the schedule below to estimate your date.
The PATH Act (Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act) requires the IRS to hold all tax refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until at least February 15 each year. This delay prevents fraudulent refund claims and protects taxpayers from identity theft.
PATH Act 2026 Key Timeline
- January 26, 2026: IRS began accepting 2025 tax returns
- February 15, 2026: PATH Act hold lifted — IRS began processing EITC/ACTC returns
- February 21, 2026: IRS began showing projected deposit dates for early EITC/ACTC filers on Where’s My Refund?
- March 2, 2026: First EITC/ACTC direct deposits released
- April 15, 2026: Federal tax filing deadline for tax year 2025
2026 EITC/ACTC Refund Schedule — Updated Through April
| E-Filed Date | PATH Hold Lifted / Approved | Direct Deposit Sent |
| Jan 9 – Jan 22 ✅ | Feb 21 – Feb 24 | Mar 2 – Mar 6 |
| Jan 23 – Feb 4 ✅ | Feb 24 – Mar 2 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Feb 5 – Feb 18 ✅ | Mar 3 – Mar 12 | Mar 16 – Mar 26 |
| Feb 19 – Mar 4 ✅ | Mar 13 – Mar 22 | Mar 26 – Apr 7 |
| Mar 5 – Mar 18 | Mar 23 – Apr 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Mar 19 – Apr 1 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Apr 2 – Apr 15 | Apr 21 – May 4 | May 5 – May 18 |
These dates are estimates based on IRS processing timelines. Individual returns may vary depending on errors, additional review, or identity verification requirements. Refunds from paper-filed returns take approximately 6–8 weeks from the filing date.
2026 EITC Maximum Credit Amounts
The EITC for tax year 2025 (claimed on 2026 returns) has the following maximum amounts:
- No qualifying children: Up to $649
- 1 qualifying child: Up to $4,328
- 2 qualifying children: Up to $7,152
- 3 or more qualifying children: Up to $8,046
For EITC eligibility requirements and income limits, visit the IRS EITC information page.
How to Check Your EITC/ACTC Refund Status in 2026
- Go to IRS.gov/refunds (Where’s My Refund? tool).
- Enter your Social Security number or ITIN.
- Select tax year 2025 and your filing status.
- Enter the exact refund amount from your return.
- Click Submit to view your status.
The tool is updated once per day (usually overnight). You can also use the IRS2Go app or call 800-829-1954 (automated hotline, 24/7).
Still Waiting? What to Do
If your refund is past the estimated date and Where’s My Refund? shows no issues, allow a few more days. If your status shows “Return Received” for more than 21 days after e-filing (or more than 8 weeks after paper filing), the IRS recommends calling 800-829-1040 during business hours for assistance.