How to learn about today is a federal or bank holiday
The fastest way is to check your bank's website or call their customer service line — they will tell you immediately whether they are open today. Federal holidays and bank holidays are not always the same thing. Your bank may close on days the federal government does not recognize, or stay open on federal holidays that do not affect banking.
If you need to know what day it is and whether it matters for your refund or payment, start with your bank first. They control when they process transactions, not the federal government. If your bank is closed today, any deposits or transfers you submit will not process until the next business day.
For a broader view of the calendar ahead, the U.S. Treasury publishes the full list of federal holidays each year. Your bank publishes its own holiday schedule, which may differ. Knowing both helps you plan around delays in refunds, payments, and transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Call your bank or check their website to learn about they are open today — this is faster and more accurate than checking a federal holiday list.
- Federal holidays and bank holidays are different; your bank may close on days the government does not recognize as holidays.
- Any deposit or transfer you submit on a day your bank is closed will not process until the next business day.
- The U.S. Treasury publishes the federal holiday calendar each year, and your bank publishes its own schedule on their website.
- If you are waiting for a refund or payment, check your bank's holiday schedule to understand when processing delays may occur.
Federal holidays versus bank holidays
The federal government recognizes 11 permanent holidays each year: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. On these days, federal offices close and federal employees do not work.
Banks are private businesses and do not have to close on federal holidays. Many do close on the major ones — New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas — but not all. Some banks stay open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, or Veterans Day. A few banks remain open on all federal holidays.
What matters for your refund or payment is your bank's schedule, not the federal government's. If the IRS processes your tax refund on a federal holiday, your bank may not deposit it into your account until the next day they are open. The same applies to insurance refunds, business refunds, and stimulus payments.
Where to find your bank's holiday schedule
Your bank publishes its holiday schedule on their website, usually under a section labeled "Hours" or "Locations." Search for "[Your Bank Name] holiday hours" to find it quickly. Most banks list the dates they will be closed for the entire year.
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service number — the one on the back of your debit card or credit card. They can tell you immediately whether they are open today and what their full holiday schedule is. This is the most reliable method if you need an answer right now.
Some banks also send email or text notifications about holiday closures. If you have set up alerts with your bank, check those messages. They often arrive a few days before a holiday.
How bank closures affect refund timing
When a refund is issued on a day your bank is closed, the money sits in a holding account until your bank reopens. The issuer — the IRS, an insurance company, or another organization — has already sent the money, but your bank cannot deposit it into your account until they are processing transactions again.
This delay is usually one business day. If a refund is issued on a Friday and your bank is also closed on Monday for a holiday, you will not see the money until Tuesday. If you are tracking a refund status and it shows "issued" but you have not received it yet, check whether your bank was closed on the day it was issued.
Direct deposits are faster than checks, but they still depend on your bank being open. If you are waiting for a tax refund, insurance refund, or other payment and today is a bank holiday, expect the deposit to arrive the next business day instead.
The federal holiday calendar for the current year
The U.S. Treasury publishes the federal holiday schedule each year. The 11 permanent holidays are observed on the same dates or the same day of the week each year. For example, Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, and Independence Day is always July 4.
If July 4 or December 25 falls on a weekend, the federal government may observe the holiday on the nearest weekday. This affects when federal offices close, but not necessarily when your bank closes. Check your bank's schedule to see how they handle weekend holidays.
You can view the full federal holiday calendar on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website or the Treasury Department website. These sites list the dates and the official names of each holiday. However, remember that your bank's schedule may not match the federal schedule.
What to do if you need money today and the bank is closed
If you are waiting for a refund and your bank is closed today, you cannot speed up the deposit. The money will arrive when your bank reopens and processes the transaction. There is no way to retrieve it before then.
If you need cash today, consider visiting an ATM if your bank has one. Many ATMs dispense cash even when the branch is closed. You can also use a debit card at stores that offer cash back. These options do not help you receive a pending refund, but they can help you access funds you already have in your account.
If a refund was supposed to arrive today and your bank is closed, check the status of the refund with the issuer tomorrow or the next business day. The issuer can tell you whether the money was sent and when your bank should receive it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all banks close on the same federal holidays?
No. Banks choose their own holiday schedules. Most close on New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but some stay open on other federal holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Veterans Day. Check your specific bank's schedule to be sure.
If a refund is issued on a holiday, when will I see it?
The refund will deposit into your account the next business day your bank is open. If the refund is issued on a Friday and your bank is also closed Monday for a holiday, expect the deposit on Tuesday. Direct deposits are faster than checks, but both depend on your bank being open.
Can I get my money if the bank is closed but an ATM is available?
Yes, if the money is already in your account, you can withdraw cash from an ATM. However, if you are waiting for a refund to be deposited, the ATM will not help — the money has not arrived yet. ATMs only let you access funds that are already there.
Where do I find my bank's holiday schedule?
Check your bank's website under "Hours" or "Locations," or call their customer service number. Most banks list their full holiday schedule online. If you cannot find it, a phone call to your bank is the fastest way to get an answer.
Does the IRS process refunds on federal holidays?
The IRS operates on a federal holiday schedule and does not process refunds on federal holidays. However, your bank may not deposit the refund immediately even after the IRS sends it. Check both the IRS processing date and your bank's holiday schedule to estimate when you will see the money.