PATH Act refund delays: EITC & ACTC payment timing in 2026

Key Takeaways

• The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act requires the IRS to hold refunds for taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until after February 14, to prevent tax fraud.
• The IRS will update its website and app on February 17, 2026, with refund updates for early filers who claimed the EITC or ACTC.
• PATH funding will be done in two batches, on February 18, and February 20, 2026.
• Most of the time, the IRS will fund tax refunds within 21 days but does not guarantee a certain date.
• The IRS will lift the PATH Act holding requirement on February 16, 2026, and fund most refunds of taxpayers claiming either the EITC or ACTC by March 6, 2026.
• You don’t have to wait for the IRS to get money. File with Jackson Hewitt and apply for a Tax Refund Advance loan,¹ and you could get money the same day if approved on a prepaid card.²

If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS puts a hold on your refund for a special review to make sure you report these credits correctly. We know how important tax refunds are to you and your family, and we want you to be the first to know when the IRS will start processing your refund.

What we know right now

• The holds the IRS puts on your return are part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. The IRS website and app will be updated for most filers by February 21—including expected refund dates for most early filers with the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). 
• In 2026, PATH funding will be done in two batches. Based on historical data, we believe they are most likely to happen on February 18 and 20. 

IRS refund schedule 2026

Typically, the IRS will fund most refunds in 21 days or less. But the IRS does not guarantee a certain date, so don’t spend the money until you receive it. Some returns may take longer. You can check your refund's status by using Where's My Refund? on the IRS website.

Expected timing for PATH Act funding

*Faster access compared to standard tax refunds electronically deposited and subject to the IRS submitting refund information to the bank before release date. The IRS may not submit refund information early.
If you obtained an Assisted Refund ³, Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC will notify you when the IRS processes your tax refund and when to expect it to hit your prepaid card.

Estimated processing times between U.S. Treasury funding and when you get your money

How quickly you get your refund depends on how you choose to receive it.

• American Express Serve® Card.⁴ Very fast, usually within 24 hours and up to 5 days faster than other methods.⁵
• Direct deposit to other cards or bank account. Typically, 1-5 business days, but it depends on the bank. 
• Paper check. In the rare occurrence that your American Express Serve® Card or direct deposit can't be completed, you will receive a paper check in one of 2 ways.
  • If you chose Assisted Refund³ or took out one of our tax refund advance loan options and Jackson Hewitt is unable to fund a card or bank account, you will receive a check from First Century Bank, N.A. Typically delivered to the address on your return within 5-7 business days.
  • If you didn’t choose Assisted Refund, you will receive a check in the mail from the IRS. Typically, between 4 and 6 weeks.

When does the PATH Act lift in 2026?  

In 2026, the IRS will lift the PATH Act holding requirement on February 16, and start processing returns for taxpayers who have claimed the EITC and ACTC. This is 2 days later than it normally lifts the PATH Act since February 15 falls on a Sunday and February 16 is Presidents’ Day.

Most early-filing taxpayers who claimed either the EITC or the ACTC can expect the IRS to fund their refunds by March 6, 2026.  

File now at Jackson Hewitt for a Tax Refund Advance loan¹ 

Did you know that you don’t have to wait for the IRS to start get money based on your tax refund? When you file your taxes now with Jackson Hewitt, you can take advantage of a Tax Refund Advance loan.¹ If you’re approved for the loan, you could leave with up to $3,500 on a prepaid card the same day² .The best part? Your loan will be automatically repaid from your tax refund, so you won’t have to worry about anything. 

Check back for updates 

Bookmark this page, and we’ll keep you up to date. Haven’t filed? Find your nearest location and let’s get you set up for your biggest refund possible.  

About the Author

Mark Steber is Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer for Jackson Hewitt. With over 30 years of experience, he oversees tax service delivery, quality assurance and tax law adherence. Mark is Jackson Hewitt’s national spokesperson and liaison to the Internal Revenue Service and other government authorities. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holds registrations in Alabama and Georgia, and is an expert on consumer income taxes including electronic tax and tax data protection.

More about Mark Steber Our Editorial Policy