IRS Confirms EITC/ACTC Refunds Expected by March 3rd - WMR Updates Begin February 22nd for Early Filers

Just saw the IRS update about EITC and ACTC refunds. The IRS website specifically states: "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, the IRS also mentions that "some taxpayers may see their refunds a few days earlier." I've been checking Where's My Refund (WMR) every day, but according to the IRS site, "Where's My Refund should show an updated status by February 22 for most early EITC/ACTC filers." One thing to keep in mind though - the IRS clearly points out that "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." Plus, there's an important legal restriction they mention: "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." Anyone else planning around this March 3rd date? Getting tired of checking WMR everyday, especially knowing they won't even update most statuses until February 22nd. I'm just trying to be patient but it's hard when you're counting on that money!

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Sophie Footman

•10M

The IRS has laid out specific timing expectations for taxpayers claiming EITC or ACTC refunds, with March 3rd set as the target date for most refunds. To qualify for this timeline, you must meet three key criteria: file electronically, choose direct deposit, and have no issues with your return. The most significant update for anxious filers is that the WMR tool should display updated status information by February 22nd for early EITC/ACTC filers. Some taxpayers might even receive their refunds slightly before the March 3rd target date. Several practical factors can affect when you actually receive your money: - Bank processing times for direct deposits - Weekend and holiday processing blackouts at financial institutions - The legal requirement preventing any EITC/ACTC refund releases before mid-February It's crucial to understand that the mid-February hold applies to your entire refund amount, not just the credit portions. This means even if part of your refund isn't related to EITC or ACTC, you'll still need to wait for the complete amount. For the most accurate tracking, monitor your individual refund status through the Where's My Refund tool, especially after February 22nd when most early filers' statuses will be updated.

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