With the 2026 tax season officially underway, millions of taxpayers have started filing their returns. For some, the process can be stressful, while others are eager to find out when their refunds will hit their bank accounts. This year, many Americans are expected to receive larger refunds. Pres ident Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” included several provisions for 2025, but the Internal Revenue Service didn’t update the tax withholding tables for the duration of the year. As a result, paycheck withholdings stayed the same. That means workers could see higher refunds. The average projected refund is $3,800 — an increase of nearly 25% compared to last year — according to the Tax Foundation. Here’s how you can check the status of your refund and when you might expect to receive it: Personal finance Jan 25 Tax season begins today: Here are the changes to know about before you file Personal finance Jan 28 Your baby could qualify for $1,000 with a ‘Trump Account.' Here's what to know How long does it take to get a tax refund? If you E-file and opt for direct deposit, your return will likely get processed more quickly. But if you file a paper return by mail, the IRS estimates refunds will take about six weeks or more. Refunds are issued within 21 days after filing your return, though some taxpayers might receive theirs even sooner. For filers with returns that require additional review or corrections, it may might take longer, according to the IRS. The Treasury Department announced last year that the federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most payments, including tax refunds, on Sept. 30, 2025. For those taxpayers without a bank account, the IRS has resources available to help you open a free or low-cost account or establish an alternate electronic payment method, such as a prepaid debit card. The IRS has carved out limited exceptions to the electronic method, however, paper check refunds will be delayed by around 10 weeks. How to enroll in direct deposit You can enroll in direct deposit using one of the following options: Select direct deposit as your refund method through your tax software and type in the account number and routing number. Or tell your tax preparer you want direct deposit. If you don’t have a bank account, you can access resources to open an account at FDIC: GetBanked or MyCreditUnion.gov.  You can also receive benefit payments on a pre-paid debit Mastercard known as Direct Express. Individuals without a bank account can enroll by calling the Treasury’s Electronic Payment Solution Center at 800-967-6857, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. ET – 7 p.m. ET. What if I claimed the earned income or child tax credits? Taxpayers who claimed the earned income tax credit and the additional child tax credit can expect to receive their refund by March 2, or sooner, if the return was filed online with direct deposit. The IRS said it will begin issuing EITC and ACTC refunds around Feb. 21. The delay is due to a law that states those credits can’t be sent out before mid-February. Step-by-Step: How to check your IRS refund status Refund statuses are usually available 24 hours after you electronically file your return for this tax season or about four weeks after sending a paper return. If you are electronically filing a return for a prior year, you can expect updates on your refund status within three to four days. The IRS’ online tool “Where’s My Refund?” allows taxpayers to check their refund status by entering the following information: Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Tax year Filing status Once you’ve entered your information, the tool will display one of three possible refund updates: Return Received: The IRS has received your return and is processing it. Refund Approved: The IRS has approved your refund and is preparing to issue it on a specified date. Refund Sent: The IRS has sent your refund to your bank account or by mail. It may take up to five days to appear in your bank account or several weeks to arrive by mail. You can also check your refund status using your phone via the IRS2Go app. The IRS updates refund information overnight, once a day, so note that the tool is typically unavailable early in the morning — usually between 4 a.m. ET and 5 a.m. ET. Why is my IRS refund delayed? If your refund is delayed, it may be because your tax return needs corrections or additional review by the IRS. The IRS will contact you via letter if further information is required. ...read more read less