India, Feb. 10 -- Millions of Americans may need to wait longer than usual for their federal tax refunds this year, largely due to extra processing for certain tax credits.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) will not receive refunds before March 2, 2026, at the earliest. Those opting for a mailed check instead of direct deposit may experience additional delays.

"These credits require additional verification to ensure reported income is accurate, check for errors, and prevent potential fraud," Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "The hold applies to the entire...