The 2026 tax filing season is underway, and many taxpayers are watching closely to see whether they will receive larger refunds this year after the White House said Americans could qualify for an increase of $1,000 or more.

The IRS opened the filing window on Jan. 26. Taxpayers who had more withheld from their paychecks than they ultimately owed for the year are eligible to receive a refund.

Even filers who did not overpay during the year may still qualify for money back if they are eligible for credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

According to the IRS, most people who submit their returns electronically should receive their refunds within the standard processing period of 21 days or less.

Refunds issued by mail, as well as returns that require corrections or additional review, may take four weeks or longer to arrive.

While the IRS is gradually reducing its use of paper checks, it will continue issuing mailed refunds in cases where no electronic payment option is available.

The agency said refunds tied to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit are expected to reach bank accounts or debit cards by March 2 in most cases.

Some taxpayers could encounter slower processing this year due to staffing shortages at the IRS following layoffs that reduced the agency’s workforce by roughly one-quarter, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins wrote in her annual report to Congress last month.

Despite those concerns, the report said most filers should still be able to submit their returns and receive refunds without significant delays.

The White House has said average refunds could rise by $1,000 or more this year as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which extended President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.

The IRS reported that the average refund last year totaled $3,167.

One of the most impactful changes in the legislation is a higher standard deduction, which affects the majority of taxpayers.

Although standard deductions are adjusted annually, they increased twice in 2025 — once at the start of the year and again after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was enacted.

Under the new law, the standard deduction rose to $15,750 for single filers, up from $15,000, and to $31,500 for married couples filing jointly, up from $30,000.

The legislation also introduced an extra $6,000 standard deduction for taxpayers age 65 and older, a group that includes many retirees.

According to the White House, most seniors will owe no tax on their Social Security benefits, stating that 88% of recipients will be exempt, based on an analysis by the Council of Economic Advisers.

The bill also permanently increased the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child, up from $2,000, allowing eligible families to receive an additional $200 per child compared with previous years.

If the Child Tax Credit is larger than a taxpayer’s total tax liability, the Additional Child Tax Credit may be claimed for up to $1,700 per child, a provision that particularly benefits lower-income filers who owe little or no tax.

Taxpayers can review eligibility requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit on the IRS website, where income thresholds and filing status rules are outlined for working individuals and families.

This year, the Earned Income Tax Credit can be worth as much as $7,830, depending on income level, filing status, and number of qualifying children.

Once a return is filed, taxpayers can monitor the progress of their refund using the IRS online tracking tool, “Where’s My Refund?”

{Matzav.com}