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If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), you can expect to get your refund by March 3 if:

You file your return online
You choose to get your refund by direct deposit
We found no issues with your return
However, some taxpayers may see their refunds a few days earlier. Check Where’s My Refund for your personalized refund date. Where's My Refund should show an updated status by February 22 for most early EITC/ACTC filers.

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When to expect your refund if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit

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More In Credits & Deductions

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), you can expect to get your refund by March 3 if:

You file your return online

You choose to get your refund by direct deposit

We found no issues with your return

However, some taxpayers may see their refunds a few days earlier. Check Where’s My Refund for your personalized refund date. Where's My Refund should show an updated status by February 22 for most early EITC/ACTC filers.

Additionally, your financial institution may need time to accept your direct deposit or issue a debit card. Many institutions don’t process payments on weekends or holidays. So, if you file early, be aware of federal and local holidays that may affect how soon you get your refund.

Why we hold your refund

By law, we can’t issue EITC or ACTC refunds before mid-February. This includes your entire refund, not just the part that’s related to the credit you claimed on your tax return.

If you claim the EITC or ACTC, we may need more information from you about your return. If we do, we will send you a letter.

How to track your refund

Check the status of your refund:

Your Online Account

Where's My Refund?

IRS2Go app

We update these applications once a day, usually overnight. This means there's no need to check the status more often.

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Refunds

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 21-Jan-2025

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How taxpayers can protect themselves from gift card scams

Taxpayers should be aware of gift card scams and take steps to protect themselves. Scammers may target taxpayers by asking them to pay a fake tax bill with gift cards. People should remember that the IRS never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill.

The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. To verify it’s the IRS, go to IRS.gov and verify the form or visit the Let Us Help You page to verify tax information with self-service options.

Common schemes

Scammers are always changing their tactics. Recently, the IRS has seen scammers:

Request gift cards over the phone through a government impersonation scam or by sending a text message, email or social media message.
Pose as an IRS agent and call the taxpayer or leave a pre-recorded voicemail stating they are linked to some criminal activity.
Threaten or harass the taxpayer by telling them that they must pay a fictitious tax penalty.
Instruct the taxpayer to buy gift cards from various stores.
Pressure the taxpayer to buy gift cards, then ask the taxpayer to provide the gift card number and PIN.

Additionally, under the PATH Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds for tax returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. The IRS must hold the entire refund—not just the portion associated with these credits—until the review is complete.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 as the official start date of the nation's 2025 tax season when the agency will begin accepting and processing 2024 individual tax returns.

Several factors can influence the timing of a refund after the IRS receives a tax return. While the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, taxpayers are advised not to depend on receiving a 2024 federal tax refund by a specific date for major purchases or bill payments. Some returns may require additional review and take longer to process if there are possible errors, missing information, or indications of identity theft or fraud.

Platinum Taxes & Insurance, Platinum Taxes & insurance Where Every Client Receives Platinum Service The Neighborly team offers tax planning, IRS representation, tax preparation, accounting and more. We pride ourselves on delivering an amazing customer experience with top notch service. Schedule an appointment or visit us today.

The IRS has not yet announced the official start of HUB testing or e-file for 2024 tax returns. Any returns transmitted between January 2, 2025 and the start of HUB testing will be processed when the IRS begins accepting transmissions.