The Economic Times

IRS Tax refunds delayed in 2026: Are 164 Million filings, staffing cuts, and backlogs slowing your expected refund processing time?

164 million tax returns are expected before the April 15, 2026 tax deadline. The IRS is still handling nearly 2 million unresolved cases. Staffing is down 27%. IRS refund delays in 2026 are likely. Paper tax returns face longer IRS processing times. Amended returns may stall. Identity verification can freeze refunds. EITC and Child Tax Credit refunds cannot be issued before mid-February. E-file and direct deposit remain fastest.