The 2026 tax filing season is well underway, and if you have already filed your return, the next big question is likely: where is my refund? Whether you file with a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), the IRS offers several free tools to track your refund status in real time. This year brings new tax breaks under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a shift away from paper refund checks, and important privacy considerations that every immigrant taxpayer should know about before, during, and after filing.
Paper Checks Being Phased Out in 2026
The IRS is phasing out paper refund checks this filing season. If you file without providing bank account information, the IRS will freeze your refund and send a CP53E notice asking you to provide direct deposit details. You have 30 days to respond or wait up to six weeks for a paper check. Set up direct deposit or use a prepaid debit card to avoid delays.
SSN and ITIN Filers Can Both Track Refunds
The IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool accepts both Social Security Numbers and Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). You can track your refund status the same way regardless of which number you use to file.
Three Ways to Track Your Tax Refund
The IRS provides three primary methods to check your refund status, and all three are free. Refund status information generally appears within 24 hours of e-filing, or about four weeks after mailing a paper return. You will need your Social Security Number or ITIN, your filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return.
🔍 How to Check Your Refund Status
The Three Refund Status Stages
📋 What Your Status Means
Do Not File a Duplicate Return
Filing the same return again will not speed up your refund and could cause additional delays. Only resubmit if the “Where’s My Refund?” tool does not show that the IRS received your return after the expected timeframe.
2026 Tax Filing Season: Key Dates and Estimated Refund Timeline
The IRS began accepting electronic returns on January 26, 2026. Most taxpayers who e-file and choose direct deposit receive refunds within 21 days. However, certain credits, errors, or paper filing can push that timeline out significantly. The following table shows estimated refund dates based on when your return was accepted.
| Return Accepted Week Of | Estimated Direct Deposit By | Paper Check (If Applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 26 – Jan 31 | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 |
| Feb 1 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 |
| Feb 8 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 |
| Feb 15 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 |
| Feb 22 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Mar 1 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Mar 8 – Mar 31 | Mar 28 – Apr 21 | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 21 – May 6 | May 8 – May 22 |
Estimates based on IRS historical processing times and 2026 filing season data. Actual dates may vary based on return complexity, credits claimed, and processing volume.
EITC & Additional Child Tax Credit Filers
By law (the PATH Act), the IRS cannot issue refunds for returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. Most EITC/ACTC refunds are expected to arrive in bank accounts by March 2–3, 2026 for those who filed early and chose direct deposit. Note: ITIN holders are not eligible for the federal EITC, which requires a valid work-authorized SSN.
📅 Key 2026 Tax Season Dates
New Tax Breaks That Could Increase Your 2026 Refund
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced several new deductions and expanded credits that are retroactive to January 1, 2025. Because the IRS did not adjust paycheck withholding tables after the law passed, many workers effectively overpaid taxes throughout 2025, meaning refunds this year could be noticeably larger than in previous years. Analysts estimate the average refund could rise from about $3,050 in 2024 to roughly $3,800 for tax year 2025.
| New Provision | What It Does | Who Benefits | Max Deduction / Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Tax on Tips | Deduction for qualified tip income | Workers in tipped occupations | Up to $25,000 |
| No Tax on Overtime | Deduction for overtime pay exceeding regular rate | Hourly workers with overtime | Up to $12,500 |
| Senior Deduction | Extra standard deduction for ages 65+ | Seniors on fixed incomes | $6,000 additional |
| Higher Child Tax Credit | CTC increased from $2,000 to $2,500 | Families with qualifying children | $2,500 per child |
| Increased Standard Deduction | Extra 5% added on top of inflation adjustment | All filers claiming standard deduction | ~$750–$1,500 extra |
| Auto Loan Interest | Deduction for interest on American-made vehicle loans | Buyers of qualifying U.S.-made vehicles | Up to $10,000 |
Tip for Immigrant Workers
If you work in a tipped occupation (restaurants, salons, ride-sharing) or earn overtime pay, the new tip and overtime deductions could significantly reduce your tax bill. These deductions are reported on the new Schedule 1-A and are available to both itemizers and standard-deduction filers. However, both deductions phase out for single filers with modified adjusted gross income above $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers). Consult a tax professional to see if you qualify.
Special Considerations for ITIN Filers
If you file your taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number rather than a Social Security Number, there are several important factors that can affect your refund timing and eligibility for credits. ITIN filers face longer processing times in some cases and are subject to different rules for tax credits.
📋 ITIN Filing Facts
⏳ Refund Timing Differences
IRS–DHS Data Sharing: What ITIN Filers Should Know
In April 2025, the Treasury Department and DHS signed an agreement allowing ICE to request taxpayer information from the IRS. ICE submitted 1.28 million names, of which the IRS verified approximately 47,000. On February 11, 2026, a court filing revealed the IRS erroneously shared additional address information for roughly 2,350 taxpayers beyond what was authorized. Federal courts have since blocked further address sharing, and a Massachusetts judge barred ICE from using the data already obtained. The situation is still evolving through active litigation. Consult an immigration attorney before filing if you have specific concerns about how your tax data may be used.
Federal Law Still Protects Taxpayer Data
Under Internal Revenue Code section 6103, the IRS is generally prohibited from disclosing tax filer information to other federal agencies for civil immigration enforcement. Multiple federal courts have upheld this protection. Filing your taxes remains a legal obligation and demonstrates compliance with U.S. law, which can be a positive factor in future immigration proceedings.
Common Reasons Your Refund May Be Delayed
While most refunds arrive within 21 days of e-filing, many factors can slow the process. Understanding the most common delay causes can help you avoid them or at least know what to expect.
- E-file your return — Electronic returns are processed much faster than paper returns
- Use direct deposit — Provide accurate bank routing and account numbers
- Double-check your SSN/ITIN — A single wrong digit can trigger a manual review
- File early — Avoid peak season delays by filing in late January or early February
- Verify all W-2/1099 data — Mismatched income amounts cause IRS holds
- Renew expired ITIN before filing — Filing with an expired ITIN delays refund and reduces credits
- Paper filing — Takes 4–8 weeks for refund versus 21 days for e-file
- Incorrect bank information — Wrong routing/account number freezes refund
- Math or data entry errors — May trigger manual IRS review
- Identity verification holds — IRS may send Letter 5071C requiring response
- Outstanding debts — Back taxes, child support, or federal student loans can garnish refund
- EITC/ACTC claims — Legally required hold until mid-February regardless of filing date
Potential 2026 Processing Delays
Tax experts have warned that IRS staffing reductions and fallout from the late-2025 government shutdown may have disrupted pre-season training and testing of new OBBBA tax provisions. Some filers — especially those claiming new deductions on Schedule 1-A — may experience longer-than-usual processing times this season. Track your refund regularly and be patient.
Free Filing Options for Immigrants and Low-Income Filers
You do not need to pay for expensive tax software to file your return correctly. The IRS and partner organizations offer several free filing options, some of which are specifically designed for ITIN holders and immigrants.
🆓 IRS Free File Program
🤝 VITA & TCE Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you e-file, your refund status usually appears on the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool within 24 hours of the IRS accepting your return. If you file a paper return, you will generally need to wait about four weeks before status information is available. The system updates once per day, typically overnight.
Yes. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool and the IRS2Go app both accept Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). Enter your ITIN in the Social Security Number field, along with your filing status and exact refund amount, to check your status.
Starting in 2026, the IRS is phasing out paper refund checks. If you file without bank account details, the IRS will temporarily freeze your refund and send you a CP53E notice with instructions to provide direct deposit information through your IRS Online Account. You have 30 days to respond. If you do not respond, the IRS will issue a paper check after approximately six weeks. Exceptions exist for taxpayers without access to banking services or with certain disabilities.
Many taxpayers will see larger refunds this year. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced new deductions for tips, overtime, auto loan interest, and seniors, and increased the standard deduction and Child Tax Credit. Because the IRS did not adjust paycheck withholding tables mid-year after the law passed, many workers effectively overpaid taxes in 2025. Estimates suggest the average refund could rise by about $750 to $1,000 compared to last year, though individual results will vary based on income and which provisions apply to you.
You can still file your return with an expired ITIN, but the IRS will process the return without certain tax credits (like the Child Tax Credit) and may reduce your refund. You will receive a notice explaining the changes. To avoid this, renew your ITIN by submitting Form W-7 before or at the same time as your return. ITINs not used on a return for tax years 2023, 2024, or 2025 expired on December 31, 2025, and need to be renewed.
Federal law (IRC section 6103) generally prohibits the IRS from sharing taxpayer information for civil immigration enforcement. Multiple federal courts have blocked the IRS-DHS data-sharing agreement, and a Massachusetts judge barred ICE from using data already obtained. Filing taxes remains a legal obligation and demonstrates good-faith compliance with U.S. law, which can be beneficial for future immigration proceedings. That said, the legal situation is still evolving. If you have specific concerns, consult an immigration attorney before filing.
First, check the “Where’s My Refund?” tool or IRS2Go app for the most current status. If the tool shows “Return Received” but no refund date after 21 days, watch for IRS mail — you may receive a letter requesting additional information or identity verification. You can call 800-829-1040 to speak with an agent, but wait times are often long. Do not file a duplicate return, as this will cause further delays.
Yes. You can split your refund across up to three different U.S. bank accounts by filing Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund) with your return. This can include bank accounts, prepaid debit cards, or mobile app accounts, as long as they have routing and account numbers. The accounts must be in your name, your spouse’s name, or a joint account.
The IRS may adjust your refund for several reasons: corrections to math errors on your return, offsets for outstanding federal or state debts (including child support, back taxes, or federal student loans), or removal of credits you were not eligible to claim. In all cases, the IRS will mail you a notice explaining the adjustment. You can also check your IRS Online Account for details.
Amended returns are tracked separately through the IRS “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool at irs.gov/wmar. Amended returns typically take up to 3 weeks to appear in the system and up to 16 weeks to process. You will need your SSN or ITIN, date of birth, and ZIP code to check the status.
📚 Official Sources
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Tax laws and IRS procedures are subject to change. Consult a qualified tax professional or immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation. VisaVerge.com is not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency.
