The 2026 tax season is arriving. The Internal Revenue Service is expected to start processing refunds for the tax year 2025 from the third week of January 2026. Note that your tax refund is received quickly only if you have provided all the details accurately by e-filing.
To get the tax refund without any delay, it is highly recommended for an individual to file electronically with accurate details. If you e-file, you will get the payment within 21 days, and in the case of on-paper filing, a taxpayer is required to wait for 6 weeks to get a payout.
Here, we have shared everything you need to know about getting an IRS tax refund early. Read this article thoroughly to check if you can expect a faster refund. Here, we have also shared the expected schedule to get a refund in case of filing on a certain date.
What should I do to get my IRS refund quickly?
The key to getting your tax return from the IRS quickly is to file your taxes on time, correctly, and with accurate information. If you make no mistakes in your filing and file electronically, you’re more likely to receive your refund quickly. Below, we’ve listed four effective ways to get your refund quickly.
E-filing, not paper filing
The first and most important step in speeding up your refund is to file it electronically. Filing on paper involves sending documents by mail, which takes a long time to scan, process, and verify. Even a small mistake can put your refund under review.
Secondly, e-filing your return means it is received digitally by the IRS, greatly reducing the chance of errors. If you file electronically, it is expected that it will take a maximum of 21 days to receive your refund, but with a paper return, you will have to wait much longer.
Enter your details correctly.
Sometimes the reason behind the slow processing of IRS refunds is mistakes in the details. If there is any mistake in your name, social security number, address, etc., then in this situation it may take more time than usual for you to receive your refund.
So, when filing your refund, make sure that all the details you provide, such as social security number, bank account number, routing number, tax form entry, email address, and email address, are correct. Any mistakes could result in a longer wait for your refund.
Wait for all documents to arrive.
Many taxpayers file their returns even if they don’t have all the required forms, which can significantly delay refunds. If you enter incorrect income or miss reporting a 1099, the IRS will later mark your return as “Mismatched,” which causes the refund to be delayed and takes longer to process.
To expedite your tax season 2026 refund, you are encouraged to gather your W-2, all 1099 forms, interest or investment statements, student loan interest, and health insurance forms (1095) for tax year 2025. If you are unsure about the details of filing your refund, seek assistance to avoid mistakes.
Use Tax Software or a Professional
If you don’t have much experience filing taxes, it’s best to use tax software or seek the assistance of a certified tax professional. Professional filing is much less likely to result in errors, and the IRS automatically generates accurate returns much faster.
Refund tax filing software guides you step-by-step and checks for potential errors in your entries. It is integrated with IRS systems, keeping your filing completely organized. Professional tax filing also helps you avoid missing deductions and credits, which can increase your refund and prevent delays.
Disclaimer: IRS refund tips are for general awareness only. Actual refund timing depends on IRS processing and individual filing details.
