Last year, it was reported that roughly half (49%) of Americans were dependent on their tax refund to make ends meet. For many people, that refund can help them pay off debt, get caught up on bills, or put some money in savings for inevitable emergencies. Because of this, many people rush to file early to get their refunds as soon as possible. But even if you double-check everything, some returns are automatically flagged for an extra review. Due to this, your money could be delayed for weeks, even months, without any mistake being made on your part. That said, claiming these two credits could stall your 2026 refund. Here’s what you need to know and how you can be prepared.
