Delayed Tax Refunds for EITC and ACTC Filers

If you’re expecting a tax refund based on filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your income tax return, you might not get it as soon as you expect this year. Due to a new law, the IRS will be waiting until February 15 before they’ll begin making direct deposits or mailing tax refunds. In practical terms, even for those who file in late January, the earliest most will get their refunds will be the week of February 27.

Many people depend on their refunds to pay for major expenses or debt they’ve incurred over the holidays. Starting this year, it’s important to plan for the delay in getting your refund and expecting to pay for those expenses out of existing resources. Tips for coping with the delay can be found HERE.

SEVCA’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program recommends that you save or invest your return, and not depend on it for holiday expenses. Each year, we urge tax filers to participate in the “SaveYourRefund” program, which offers a chance to win prizes for those who save at least a portion of their refund. Please contact Susan Brace at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about SEVCA’s VITA program, which offers free tax preparation assistance to eligible families and individuals. We will start scheduling appointments in mid-January.