If you’re counting on a fast tax refund this year, you may want to prepare for delays—and frustration. Experts warn that the IRS is entering the 2026 filing season with fewer workers, more complex tax rules, and major system changes that could slow everything down. For millions of Americans, that means longer wait times for refunds and less access to help when something goes wrong. Even simple issues could take weeks to resolve, especially during peak filing season. Here’s what’s really happening—and how you can avoid getting stuck in the backlog of IRS refund delays.
