Refunds for taxpayers claiming the
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)orAdditional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)are legally delayed due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. The IRS cannot issue these refunds before mid-February, even for those who file early. For the 2026 tax season (for the 2025 tax year), the IRS expects most EITC/ACTC-related refunds to be available by March 3, 2026, for those who choose direct deposit and have no other issues with their return.