The next federal bank holiday depends on today's date and which holiday comes first
Bank holidays are days when federal banks close and do not process transactions. If you are waiting for a tax refund, stimulus payment, insurance refund, or any money transfer through the banking system, a bank holiday will delay it by one business day. The next holiday shifts throughout the year — in January it is New Year's Day (January 1), in February it is Presidents' Day (the third Monday), and so on through December.
The specific date of the next holiday depends on when you are reading this. You can find the complete list of federal bank holidays on the Federal Reserve's website, which shows all dates for the current year. If today is January 15, the next holiday is Presidents' Day on February 21. If today is July 3, the next holiday is Independence Day on July 4. The pattern repeats every year on the same dates, except for holidays that fall on weekends — those are observed on the nearest weekday instead.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banks close on 11 bank holidays per year, and any refund or payment scheduled to arrive on that day will arrive the next business day instead.
- The Federal Reserve publishes the complete list of bank holidays for each year on its official website, and the dates are the same every year.
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, it is observed on Friday if it lands on Saturday, or Monday if it lands on Sunday.
- A bank holiday delays electronic transfers, checks, and direct deposits by one business day — not longer — so your refund will still arrive within the normal timeline.
How bank holidays affect refund timing
A bank holiday does not stop your refund from processing — it only stops the bank from delivering it. The IRS, your state tax authority, or your insurance company can still approve and send your refund on a holiday, but the receiving bank will not post it to your account until the next business day. If your refund was scheduled to arrive on a Monday that is a federal holiday, it will arrive on Tuesday instead.
This matters most when you are tracking a refund that is supposed to arrive within a specific window. If the IRS says your tax refund will arrive within 21 days, and day 21 falls on a bank holiday, the money will arrive on day 22. The same applies to state refunds, insurance payouts, and business refunds sent by check or electronic transfer. The delay is always one day — not multiple days — because the bank processes it as soon as it reopens.
The 11 federal bank holidays and when they occur
| Holiday | Date | Observed On (if weekend) |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Friday if Jan 1 is Saturday; Monday if Jan 1 is Sunday |
| Presidents' Day | Third Monday in February | Always falls on Monday |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | Always falls on Monday |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Friday if June 19 is Saturday; Monday if June 19 is Sunday |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Friday if July 4 is Saturday; Monday if July 4 is Sunday |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | Always falls on Monday |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October | Always falls on Monday |
| Veterans Day | November 11 | Friday if Nov 11 is Saturday; Monday if Nov 11 is Sunday |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November | Always falls on Thursday |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Friday after Thanksgiving | Always falls on Friday |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday if Dec 25 is Saturday; Monday if Dec 25 is Sunday |
These 11 holidays are observed by all federal banks and the Federal Reserve. Some private banks and credit unions may observe additional state or regional holidays, but federal bank holidays are the ones that affect government payments like tax refunds and stimulus checks. If you are waiting for money from a private company — an insurance refund, a business refund, or a retailer return — check with that company directly, because they may have different closure dates.
What to do if your refund arrives on a bank holiday
If your refund is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday, you do not need to do anything. The money will be held by the sending institution and delivered to your bank on the next business day. You will see it in your account as soon as the bank processes it, which is usually within a few hours of opening on that next day. There is no action you can take to speed this up — the delay is automatic and affects all transfers on that day.
If you are tracking a refund and the expected arrival date falls on a holiday, adjust your timeline by one day. If the IRS says your refund will arrive by March 17 and March 17 is a Sunday (observed on Monday March 18), expect the money on Tuesday March 19 instead. This is not a problem with your refund — it is how the banking system works on holidays.
Bank holidays versus state holidays
Federal bank holidays apply to all banks nationwide. Some states observe additional holidays that federal banks do not, such as Confederate Memorial Day in some Southern states or Evacuation Day in Massachusetts. These state holidays do not close federal banks, so they do not delay federal refunds. However, state tax refunds may be delayed if your state's tax office closes on a state holiday that is not a federal holiday.
If you are waiting for a state tax refund and the expected arrival date falls on a state holiday, contact your state tax authority to confirm whether that holiday affects processing. The state's website will list its closure dates. Federal refunds and stimulus payments are not affected by state holidays — only by the 11 federal bank holidays listed above.
How to find the exact date of the next bank holiday
The Federal Reserve publishes the official list of bank holidays for each year on its website at federalreserve.gov. Search for "bank holidays" or "holiday schedule" and you will find a page with all dates for the current year. The dates never change from year to year — New Year's Day is always January 1, Presidents' Day is always the third Monday in February, and so on. You can bookmark this page or check it whenever you need to know if an upcoming date is a holiday.
You can also check the IRS website if you are waiting for a tax refund. The IRS publishes its own holiday schedule, which matches the federal bank holidays. If you are waiting for a state refund, your state tax authority's website will show its closure dates. For insurance or business refunds, the company sending the money will tell you its processing timeline and whether holidays affect it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my refund be delayed if it arrives the day after a bank holiday?
No. A bank holiday only delays money that is scheduled to arrive on that specific day. If your refund is scheduled to arrive the day after a holiday, it will arrive on time. The delay is one day only — from the holiday itself to the next business day.
Do private banks close on federal bank holidays?
Most private banks close on federal bank holidays, but some may have different hours or limited services. If you bank with a credit union or smaller institution, check their website to confirm their holiday schedule. However, even if your bank is open, the Federal Reserve is closed, so electronic transfers from government agencies will still be delayed by one day.
What if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
The federal government observes the holiday on the nearest weekday. If a holiday falls on Saturday, it is observed on Friday. If it falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday. Your refund will be delayed by one day from the observed date, not the actual calendar date.
Can I speed up my refund if it is delayed by a bank holiday?
No. Once a refund is sent, you cannot speed up its delivery. The delay is automatic and affects all transfers on that day. The money will arrive the next business day without any action on your part.
Does a bank holiday affect checks mailed to me?
A bank holiday does not stop the mail, but it does stop the bank from depositing your check. If a check arrives on a bank holiday, you can deposit it, but the bank will not process it until the next business day. The funds will be available according to your bank's normal check-holding policy after that.