IRS Delivers Majority of Tax Refunds Within 3 Weeks as 2026 Filing Season Kicks Off
IRS CEO Frank Bisignano informed Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie that a potential government shutdown would not affect tax refund checks.
Tax season officially kicked off last week, and American taxpayers expecting tax refunds can anticipate seeing those funds in their accounts within a few weeks, depending on their filing method.
The IRS announced that January 26 marked the official start of the tax filing season, allowing taxpayers to submit their returns for the 2025 tax year. Those who overpaid their taxes throughout the year will be eligible for a refund.
In its announcement, the IRS highlighted that most refunds are processed within three weeks of filing, although some exceptions apply. “While the IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days, certain returns may require additional review and could take longer,” the agency stated.
TAX FILING SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
IRS CEO and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano assured that Americans will receive their tax refunds on time, even amid a partial government shutdown. (Juanmonino via Getty Images)
The IRS website indicates that processing a tax refund typically takes up to 21 days for e-filed returns, while mailed returns may take six weeks or longer. Delays can also occur if a return requires corrections or additional review.
Taxpayers preparing to file should consider setting up direct deposit with the IRS to expedite their refund. The IRS has been phasing out paper refund checks since last fall, although it will still issue paper checks if no other options are available. Taxpayers without bank accounts can opt for prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, or other limited exceptions.
In fact, most taxpayers already receive refunds via direct deposit. During the 2025 tax filing season, 93% of the 93.5 million refunds for individual tax filers were disbursed through this method.
BESSENT EXPECTS TAXPAYERS WILL SEE ‘VERY LARGE’ TAX REFUNDS EARLY NEXT YEAR
The Trump administration anticipates the largest tax refund cycle “in history” this spring 2026. (Getty Images)
The IRS provides an online “Where’s my refund?” tool for taxpayers to monitor the status of their tax refunds. Taxpayers who e-file can typically check their refund status within 24 hours, which includes information for the current year as well as the past two years.
If a taxpayer needs to amend their return after filing, it may take longer to receive their refund. Amended returns can take up to three weeks to appear in the IRS system and up to 16 weeks for processing.
The IRS also offers a “Where’s my amended return?” tool for tracking the status of amended filings and related refunds.
IRS CEO WEIGHS IN ON WHETHER POTENTIAL SHUTDOWN WILL IMPACT REFUND CHECKS
Taxpayers who e-file their returns can receive their refund checks sooner than those who mail their returns. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
A partial government shutdown that began on February 1 could potentially affect the timing of tax refunds. However, lawmakers are optimistic that it may conclude as early as Tuesday.
IRS CEO Frank Bisignano reassured Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie that a shutdown would not disrupt tax refund payments, emphasizing that the agency’s staff will remain operational.
During the previous government shutdown, which lasted 43 days—the longest in history— the IRS indicated that refunds would generally not be issued, except in specific circumstances. “Tax refunds will generally not be paid during this period with one key exception. For taxpayers filing a Form 1040, refunds will continue to be paid on electronically filed, error-free returns that can be automatically processed and direct deposited,” the IRS noted in October.
IRS CEO Frank Bisignano informed Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie that a potential government shutdown would not affect tax refund checks.
Tax season officially kicked off last week, and American taxpayers expecting tax refunds can anticipate seeing those funds in their accounts within a few weeks, depending on their filing method.
The IRS announced that January 26 marked the official start of the tax filing season, allowing taxpayers to submit their returns for the 2025 tax year. Those who overpaid their taxes throughout the year will be eligible for a refund.
In its announcement, the IRS highlighted that most refunds are processed within three weeks of filing, although some exceptions apply. “While the IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days, certain returns may require additional review and could take longer,” the agency stated.
TAX FILING SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
IRS CEO and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano assured that Americans will receive their tax refunds on time, even amid a partial government shutdown. (Juanmonino via Getty Images)
The IRS website indicates that processing a tax refund typically takes up to 21 days for e-filed returns, while mailed returns may take six weeks or longer. Delays can also occur if a return requires corrections or additional review.
Taxpayers preparing to file should consider setting up direct deposit with the IRS to expedite their refund. The IRS has been phasing out paper refund checks since last fall, although it will still issue paper checks if no other options are available. Taxpayers without bank accounts can opt for prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, or other limited exceptions.
In fact, most taxpayers already receive refunds via direct deposit. During the 2025 tax filing season, 93% of the 93.5 million refunds for individual tax filers were disbursed through this method.
BESSENT EXPECTS TAXPAYERS WILL SEE ‘VERY LARGE’ TAX REFUNDS EARLY NEXT YEAR
The Trump administration anticipates the largest tax refund cycle “in history” this spring 2026. (Getty Images)
The IRS provides an online “Where’s my refund?” tool for taxpayers to monitor the status of their tax refunds. Taxpayers who e-file can typically check their refund status within 24 hours, which includes information for the current year as well as the past two years.
If a taxpayer needs to amend their return after filing, it may take longer to receive their refund. Amended returns can take up to three weeks to appear in the IRS system and up to 16 weeks for processing.
The IRS also offers a “Where’s my amended return?” tool for tracking the status of amended filings and related refunds.
IRS CEO WEIGHS IN ON WHETHER POTENTIAL SHUTDOWN WILL IMPACT REFUND CHECKS
Taxpayers who e-file their returns can receive their refund checks sooner than those who mail their returns. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
A partial government shutdown that began on February 1 could potentially affect the timing of tax refunds. However, lawmakers are optimistic that it may conclude as early as Tuesday.
IRS CEO Frank Bisignano reassured Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie that a shutdown would not disrupt tax refund payments, emphasizing that the agency’s staff will remain operational.
During the previous government shutdown, which lasted 43 days—the longest in history— the IRS indicated that refunds would generally not be issued, except in specific circumstances. “Tax refunds will generally not be paid during this period with one key exception. For taxpayers filing a Form 1040, refunds will continue to be paid on electronically filed, error-free returns that can be automatically processed and direct deposited,” the IRS noted in October.
