If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your 2020 tax return, the IRS will hold your refund until early March 2021. The IRS must hold your entire refund, including any part not from the EITC or ACTC.
This delay is the result of a law intended to protect you by making sure that you receive the refund you are owed. It also gives the IRS more time to detect and prevent fraud.
Even though the IRS cannot issue refunds for some early filers until early March 2021, the IRS will still issue most refunds in less than 21 days.
Be careful about payment obligations, given the refund delay. This includes using a Refund Anticipation Loan or other loan and preparer fee agreements in which repayment is dependent on your tax refund. Learn more about Refund Anticipation Products on the Tax Preparation Business Tips page.
Be especially aware of any stated repayment dates that are earlier than March 2021. Do not risk more costs by agreeing to a repayment schedule that requires full payment before you get your refund.
Learn about Federal tax refunds and check refund status.
