Will 2018 Income Tax Refunds Be Delayed Again? EITC and ACTC Credits
Taxpayers can start efiling their returns as soon as January 12, 2018 for taxes overpaid (refunds) in tax year 2017, using either an income tax preparer or through do-it-yourself tax programs. Filing early can greatly speed up the refund process, ...
Nov. 02, 2017
In 2017, many Americans who were waiting on their income tax refunds had to wait a few extra weeks. For some, the wait was even longer. The reason? The IRS was implementing new processing rules to help verify certain types of tax credits and to help decrease fraud related to those credits.
Most delayed refunds were for those claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC or EIC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) or the American Opportunity Credit (AOC). Starting in 2017, the IRS mandated that it would not start issuing refunds to those taxpayers until after February 15. So will the IRS do this again for 2018?
Yes, there will be a delay in processing, but it is still a good idea to file as soon as you have the forms necessary (W-2, childcare, education, mortgage, interest, etc). Taxpayers with simpler situations usually receive their tax documents earlier, often before February 1.
Taxpayers can start efiling their returns as soon as January 12, 2018 for taxes overpaid (refunds) in tax year 2017, using either an income tax preparer or through do-it-yourself tax programs. Filing early can greatly speed up the refund process, even if there is a delay in issuing refunds for those with the EITC or ACTC.
2018 Income Tax Refund Schedule
| IRS Accepts These |
Return Between Dates |
IRS Issues Direct Deposit or Check |
| Jan 12 | Jan 21 | Feb 2 |
| Jan 19 | Jan 28 | Feb 9 |
| Jan 26 | Feb 4 | Feb 16 |
| Feb 2 | Feb 11 | Feb 23 |
| Feb 9 | Feb 18 | Mar 2 |
| Feb 16 | Feb 25 | Mar 9 |
| Feb 23 | Mar 4 | Mar 16 |
| Mar 2 | Mar 11 | Mar 23 |
| Mar 9 | Mar 18 | Mar 30 |
| Mar 16 | Mar 25 | Apr 6 |
| Mar 23 | Apr 1 | Apr 13 |
| Mar 30 | Apr 8 | Apr 20 |
| Apr 6 | Apr 15 | Apr 27 |
| Apr 13 | Apr 22 | May 4 |
| Apr 20 | Apr 29 | May 11 |
| Apr 27 | May 6 | May 18 |
| May 4 | May 13 | May 25 |
| May 11 | May 20 | Jun 1 |