Due to changes in the law, starting in 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expects to hold tax refunds for taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit until February 15, 2017 to give the agency more time to detect fraud. This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these credits. As in past years, the IRS will begin accepting and processing tax returns once the filing season begins. Even though the IRS will not issue refunds for some early filers until February 15th, most refunds will still be issued within the normal time frame, 21 days or less, after being accepted for processing by the IRS.