Every year, millions of taxpayers claim refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).
And every year, many of those taxpayers run into the same frustrating issue:
Their refund is delayed — even though their return was accepted.
If you are seeing a delay message or no refund date yet, you may be impacted by the PATH Act refund hold.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what the IRS says about:
- Why PATH Act refunds are delayed
- When Where’s My Refund? updates for PATH filers
- What February 21, 2026 means
- Why transcripts may update before WMR
- When most taxpayers can realistically expect deposits
This is your complete, IRS-sourced explanation.
What Is the PATH Act Refund Hold?
The PATH Act (Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act) is a federal law that requires the IRS to delay refunds for taxpayers who claim:
- EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit)
- ACTC (Additional Child Tax Credit)
This law was designed to help reduce fraud and identity theft involving refundable credits.
Important Note
This delay applies to the entire refund, not just the credit portion.
Even if the rest of your return is correct, the IRS is legally required to hold the refund until mid-February.
Why PATH Act Refunds Are Delayed Until Mid-February
The IRS cannot release EITC/ACTC refunds before the required hold period ends.
This means many early filers will see:
- “Return Received” for weeks
- No refund approval date
- No deposit information
- Transcript activity but no WMR movement
This is normal under PATH rules.
When Will Where’s My Refund Update for PATH Filers in 2026?
Here is the key date taxpayers need to understand:
IRS Guidance: WMR Updates by February 21, 2026
The IRS has stated that:
Where’s My Refund? will provide projected deposit dates for most early filers claiming EITC and/or ACTC by February 21, 2026.
That means many PATH Act taxpayers will not see a refund date on WMR until Saturday, February 21, 2026.
This is one of the most important annual refund update milestones for PATH filers.
What Happens on February 21, 2026?
For most early EITC/ACTC filers, February 21 is when:
- The PATH hold begins clearing
- Refund approvals start appearing
- WMR updates to show deposit timing
- Tax software may begin displaying refund dates
So if you have been stuck with no movement, this is often the first major turning point.
When Will PATH Act Refund Deposits Actually Arrive?
The February 21 update does not mean refunds arrive that same day.
The IRS also provides another key estimate:
Most PATH refunds may be available by March 2, 2026
According to IRS guidance, most taxpayers claiming EITC/ACTC can expect refunds to be available in their accounts by:
- March 2, 2026, assuming:
- You e-filed
- You chose direct deposit
- There are no additional holds or reviews
So the realistic timeline is:
- WMR refund dates appear around Feb. 21
- Deposits arrive late February into early March
Will Tax Transcripts Update Before Where’s My Refund?
Yes — often they do.
Tax transcripts are internal IRS processing records, and they frequently show activity before WMR updates.
Transaction Code 846: Refund Issued
The most important transcript code for refunds is:
- TC 846 – Refund Issued
When TC 846 appears, the IRS has scheduled your refund for release.
Will Transcripts Show 846 Updates on February 20, 2026?
This is where accuracy matters:
- The IRS does not publish an official transcript update calendar
- The IRS does not guarantee that TC 846 will appear on a specific date
Many taxpayers and preparers observe that transcript updates often begin the day before WMR updates, which is why February 20 is commonly discussed.
But officially:
- Feb. 21 is IRS-confirmed for WMR updates
- Feb. 20 transcript timing is a historical pattern, not an IRS promise
Why Some PATH Refunds Take Longer
Even after February 21, delays can happen if your return includes:
- Identity verification
- Income mismatches (W-2 delays)
- Dependent verification
- Refund freezes or offsets
- IRS correspondence or manual review
So while most taxpayers will see movement after Feb. 21, not everyone will receive refunds immediately.
Best Advice for PATH Filers Waiting on Refund Updates
If you claimed EITC or ACTC and your refund is delayed:
- Don’t panic before Feb. 21
- Check transcripts for TC 846
- Watch for updates late February
- Expect most refunds by early March
- Ignore rumors not backed by IRS sources
PATH Act Refund Timeline Summary (2026)
Here’s the most logical IRS-supported sequence:
- Mid-February: PATH hold begins lifting
- February 21, 2026: WMR shows projected refund dates for most EITC/ACTC filers
- Late February–Early March: Refund deposits begin arriving
- By March 2, 2026: Most PATH refunds expected to be available
Final Thoughts
The PATH Act refund delay is frustrating, but it follows the same pattern every year.
The most important verified update for 2026 is:
✅ Where’s My Refund? will update with projected deposit dates by February 21, 2026 for most early EITC/ACTC filers.
If you’re still waiting, keep monitoring your transcripts and be prepared for the first major movement in the second half of February.
