Your refund may come in separate payments if you claimed certain credits or if the IRS processed different parts of your return at different times

The IRS does not always send your entire refund in one check or deposit. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), or the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the IRS is required by law to hold and deliver those portions separately from your other refund money. This means you could receive two or even three separate payments over several weeks. The timing and method depend on which credits you claimed and how the IRS processed your return.

Beyond credit-related splits, your refund can also arrive in pieces if the IRS discovered an error during processing, had to verify information with another agency, or if your return was flagged for review. In these cases, the IRS may release part of your refund while holding the rest pending verification. You will see this reflected in your account on the IRS website.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS must delay the EITC and ACTC portions of your refund until at least February 15, even if the rest of your refund is ready earlier.
  • If you claimed multiple credits, you may receive your refund in two or three separate payments over different weeks.
  • You can track each payment separately using the IRS Where's My Refund tool, which shows the status and expected delivery date for each portion.
  • If your return was selected for review or verification, the IRS will hold part of your refund until that process is complete, which can take several weeks or months.

How the IRS splits refunds by credit type

The Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit are subject to a mandatory hold period. The IRS cannot release these portions until at least February 15 of the year you file, regardless of when you file or how quickly the rest of your return processes. This rule exists because these credits are heavily audited and the IRS uses the extra time to catch fraud and errors before money goes out.

If your return includes only the EITC or ACTC and no other refund, you will not see any payment until mid-February at the earliest. If you also claimed other credits or had taxes withheld that create a refund separate from these credits, the non-credit portion may arrive weeks earlier. The American Opportunity Tax Credit does not have the same mandatory hold, so that portion typically arrives on the normal schedule.

You will receive separate confirmation for each payment. The IRS sends a notice for the first portion and another notice when the credit-related portion is released. Both will include the payment method (direct deposit or check) and the expected delivery date.

Tracking multiple refund payments on the IRS website

The Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov will show you each payment separately if your refund is split. Log in with your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day, usually overnight.

For each payment, you will see the status (processing, approved, sent, or delivered), the amount, and the expected delivery date. If one portion is held pending verification, the tool will show that status and explain why. If the tool shows "your refund has been issued" but you have not received it, check the delivery method—direct deposits typically arrive within one to two business days after the IRS releases the payment, while checks take five to seven business days by mail.

If the tool shows no information about a second payment even though you claimed EITC or ACTC, wait until mid-February. The IRS does not always display the credit portion in the tool until it is released, so the absence of information does not mean the payment is lost.

Why the IRS holds refunds for review or verification

Your return may be selected for verification if the IRS needs to confirm information you reported—income, dependents, education expenses, or business losses are common triggers. When this happens, the IRS typically holds your entire refund until the review is complete. You will receive a letter explaining what information they need and how to respond.

Verification can take anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on the complexity and how quickly you respond. If you provide the requested documents promptly, the process usually moves faster. If the IRS needs to contact your employer, school, or another third party, the hold extends longer.

In some cases, the IRS will release part of your refund while holding the rest. This is less common but happens when one portion of your return is verified and another is still under review. The Where's My Refund tool will show the status of each portion separately.

Direct deposit versus check delivery for split refunds

If you provided direct deposit information on your return, both portions of your refund will be deposited to the same account unless you specified different accounts for different credits. The IRS does not allow you to split a single refund between multiple accounts on the same return.

If you did not provide direct deposit information, both payments will arrive by check. The checks will come separately, usually one to two weeks apart. Make sure your mailing address on file with the IRS is current, because the IRS will not forward checks if you have moved.

If you provided direct deposit for one portion and the IRS cannot process it (account closed, routing number incorrect), that payment will be issued as a check instead. You will receive a notice explaining the issue and the new delivery method.

What to do if you receive only part of your expected refund

First, check the Where's My Refund tool to see if a second payment is pending. If you claimed EITC or ACTC, the tool may show a future release date. If the tool shows no second payment and you believe one is coming, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm your return was processed correctly.

If a payment was issued but you have not received it after the expected delivery date, the next step depends on the method. For direct deposits, contact your bank to confirm the deposit did not arrive in a different account or under a different name. For checks, wait ten business days past the expected delivery date, then contact the IRS to request a trace or replacement.

Keep your refund notices and the Where's My Refund screenshots as proof of the expected payment. If the IRS issued a payment and you never received it, you will need this documentation to file a claim or dispute with your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my EITC refund before February 15?

No. The IRS is required by law to hold the EITC and ACTC portions until at least February 15, even if you file in January. This applies every year. The only exception is if you file after February 15, in which case the payment may be released sooner, but this is rare.

Will I get two separate tax refund notices?

Yes, if your refund is split. You will receive one notice when the first portion is released and another when the credit-related portion is released. Both notices will include the amount, payment method, and expected delivery date. Keep both for your records.

What if my bank rejected the direct deposit for one payment but not the other?

The IRS will issue a check for the rejected payment and mail it to your address on file. You will receive a notice explaining why the direct deposit failed. Contact your bank to find out why the account was rejected, then update your information with the IRS if the account details were wrong.

Does a split refund mean something is wrong with my return?

Not necessarily. A split refund is normal if you claimed EITC, ACTC, or certain education credits. The IRS splits these by law, not because of an error. However, if the Where's My Refund tool shows a hold for "verification" or "review," that means the IRS is examining part of your return and you may need to provide additional information.

How long does it take to receive both parts of a split refund?

The first portion typically arrives within 21 days of filing if there are no issues. The credit-related portion arrives on or after February 15. In total, you could wait up to six weeks or longer if your return requires verification. The Where's My Refund tool will show the expected date for each payment.