The next federal bank holiday depends on today's date, but the most common ones ahead are Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January), Presidents' Day (February), Memorial Day (May), Independence Day (July), Labor Day (September), Columbus Day (October), Veterans Day (November), and Christmas (December)

Bank holidays matter for refunds because federal banks close on these days, which pauses processing. If your refund is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday, it typically lands the next business day instead. State banks and credit unions may observe different holidays, so a refund that misses a federal holiday might still hit a state holiday at your particular institution.

The exact timing of your refund depends on which system is sending it — the IRS, your state tax authority, an insurance company, or a business — and whether it's traveling by direct deposit, check, or debit card. A direct deposit scheduled for a bank holiday will not clear until the following business day. A check mailed before a holiday will not be delayed by the holiday itself, but processing before the holiday may be slower if the issuing office is closed.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal bank holidays pause processing at banks and the IRS, so refunds scheduled to arrive on a holiday will land the next business day instead.
  • The IRS publishes its own holiday schedule, which may differ slightly from standard federal holidays — check IRS.gov if you are tracking a tax refund.
  • State tax authorities and private companies (insurance, employers, retailers) may observe different holidays than the federal system, so your refund timeline depends on who is sending it.
  • Direct deposits are delayed by bank holidays; checks are not delayed by the holiday itself, but mail time remains the same.
  • If your refund was supposed to arrive on a holiday and did not, check the next business day before contacting the issuer.

Federal bank holidays and how they affect processing

The federal government recognizes ten standard bank holidays each year. On these days, federal banks close and the IRS does not process refunds. If a refund is scheduled to post on a holiday, the bank will not accept the deposit until the next business day. This applies to direct deposits only — checks are not affected by bank closures, though the mail itself does not run on holidays.

The ten federal holidays are: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Veterans Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25). When a holiday falls on a weekend, the federal government observes it on the nearest weekday — usually Friday if it falls on Saturday, or Monday if it falls on Sunday.

How to find the exact date of the next bank holiday

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management publishes the federal holiday calendar each year at OPM.gov. This is the official list that determines when federal offices, including the IRS, close. You can also find the current year's holidays on the IRS website under "IRS Holidays and Closures" — this matters because the IRS occasionally closes on days that are not standard federal holidays due to building maintenance or other operational needs.

If you are tracking a state tax refund, check your state's tax authority website for its holiday schedule. Many states follow the federal calendar, but some observe additional state-specific holidays. For example, some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day, which is not a federal holiday. Your state's tax website will list the days it is closed and when processing will resume.

When your refund arrives around a bank holiday

If your refund is scheduled to arrive by direct deposit on a bank holiday, the deposit will not post until the next business day. For example, if a refund is scheduled for Friday, December 24, and Christmas falls on Saturday, December 25, the bank holiday is observed on Monday, December 27. Your refund would post on Tuesday, December 28. The issuer (IRS, state tax authority, or other agency) typically counts the holiday as part of the processing time, so you should not see a delay beyond what was originally promised.

If you are expecting a check, the holiday does not delay the check itself — it was mailed before the holiday and will arrive on its normal mail schedule. However, if the issuing office is closed on the holiday, checks mailed the day before the holiday may not go out until after the holiday ends. Call the issuer's customer service line to confirm whether mail was sent before or after the holiday if you are unsure.

State and private refund schedules during bank holidays

State tax authorities and private companies (insurance, employers, retailers) are not required to follow federal bank holidays. Many do, but some operate on their own schedules. An insurance company may process refunds on state holidays that are not federal holidays, or it may stay open on federal holidays. Check the refund status page or contact the issuer directly to learn their holiday schedule.

If you are waiting for a refund from a private company, ask whether they observe federal holidays, state holidays, or both. Some large companies like Amazon or insurance carriers have their own processing centers that may not close on the same days as banks. The company's website or customer service line should have this information.

What to do if your refund does not arrive on the expected day

If your refund was scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday and did not, wait until the next business day. Most direct deposits post overnight, so if the holiday was Monday, check your account Tuesday morning. If the refund still has not arrived by the end of the next business day, contact the issuer.

For IRS refunds, use the "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov to check the current status. This tool updates once per day and will show you the exact date the refund is scheduled to post. For state tax refunds, use your state's tax authority website — most have a similar tracking tool. For insurance or business refunds, contact the company's customer service department with your refund confirmation number or claim number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my refund be delayed if it is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday?

No, it will simply post the next business day instead. The issuer counts the holiday as part of the processing time, so you should not see a delay beyond what was originally promised. If you were told your refund would arrive in five to seven business days, a bank holiday in that window does not extend the timeline.

Do state banks observe the same holidays as federal banks?

Most state banks observe federal holidays, but some may also close on state-specific holidays. Check with your bank directly if you are unsure. Your bank's website or customer service line will list the days it is closed.

If a holiday falls on a weekend, when does the bank close?

The federal government observes the holiday on the nearest weekday — usually Friday if the holiday is Saturday, or Monday if the holiday is Sunday. Banks close on the observed date, not the actual calendar date.

Does a bank holiday delay a check refund?

No. A check is not affected by bank closures. However, if the issuing office is closed on the holiday, the check may not be mailed until after the holiday ends, which could delay it by one or two days.

How do I know if my refund issuer observes bank holidays?

Check the issuer's website or contact their customer service line. The IRS and most state tax authorities follow the federal holiday schedule. Private companies vary — ask before you expect your refund.