Is the IRS closed today for Presidents' Day 2026?

Yes. Federal offices observing Presidents' Day will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 (ET). That includes IRS offices, walk-in sites and live phone assistance. But many digital services remain available around the clock and will accept filings and payments that will be processed when staff return on Tuesday, Feb. 17 (ET).

What’s closed — and what still works

IRS physical locations and in-person services are not operating on Presidents' Day. Telephone assistance lines are also unavailable for live help. Taxpayers who planned to visit a walk-in center or call for status updates should expect staff to be back on Tuesday, Feb. 17 (ET) when normal processing resumes.

Online systems, however, continue to run. Electronic filing portals will accept returns, payment pages will permit transactions, and automated tools for checking refund status remain accessible. One popular refund-tracking tool updates once daily and typically posts a status within 24 hours after an e-filed return is accepted; early filers for certain credits often see updates by Feb. 21.

The Presidents' Day holiday also affects other services: most banks and the major U. S. stock exchanges will be closed for business. Regular postal deliveries and retail postal services are suspended for the day, though select expedited mail services may still move. Private carriers plan to operate, with some locations offering modified hours. Many local government offices, courthouses, motor vehicle agencies, schools and libraries are closed, while grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms and hospitals generally remain open.

How to avoid delays during the busy Presidents' Day week

Presidents' Day week historically ranks among the busiest periods of the filing season and often triggers spikes in call center demand. To reduce wait times and speed refunds, use online self-service tools whenever possible rather than waiting for phone support.

• File electronically and choose direct deposit. Electronic returns with direct deposit are the fastest, most secure route to refunds; deposits can be split among up to three accounts in many cases.
• Use an online account to view tax records, transcripts and payment history, and to manage authorizations for tax professionals.
• Try automated assistants that answer common questions about filing status, taxable income and credit eligibility. These tools are available 24/7 and can resolve many routine issues without a phone call.
• Track refunds with the daily-status tool rather than calling—it updates regularly once a return is accepted.
• If you need in-person help, look for IRS-certified volunteer tax-preparation programs that offer no-cost basic return assistance for eligible taxpayers.

Taxpayers should also be mindful that paper refund checks have been phased out for most purposes under a 2025 policy change, increasing the emphasis on electronic payments and direct deposit. Electronic payments are less likely to be delayed, lost or altered than mailed checks.

Practical tips if you planned to contact the IRS on Presidents' Day

If you intended to call or visit an office on Feb. 16, rearrange plans to use online services or wait until Tuesday, Feb. 17 (ET) when live assistance resumes. Keep documentation handy—Social Security numbers, filing status, prior-year adjusted gross income and any relevant notices—to speed any follow-up when staff are available. For immediate needs like filing or paying a balance, complete those tasks electronically; payments submitted on the holiday will be recorded and processed once operations restart.

Presidents' Day week often produces heavier-than-usual demand. Filing early, choosing electronic options and relying on the suite of online tools can minimize frustration and help taxpayers get answers and refunds more quickly.