Deadlines & Dates
When the money moves, when the window closes, and what happens if you miss it.
fed's rate decision and dot plot land september 16
The Fed's next rate decision, paired with fresh economic projections and the dot plot, is set for September 16, 2026.
October 14 is the day the 2027 COLA stops being a guess
SSA is expected to announce the confirmed 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, 2026, once September CPI-W is published.
You get 54 days to change your Medicare plan. Then it locks
Medicare open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Changes made in that window take effect January 1; miss it and you generally wait a year.
The law holds your whole refund if you claim the EITC
The PATH Act requires the IRS to hold the entire refund of EITC and ACTC filers until mid-February, not just the part tied to the credit.
Filing opens in late January. Filing early does not mean paid early
The IRS is expected to start accepting 2026 returns around January 25-27, 2027. For EITC and ACTC filers, an early return does not mean an early refund.
SNAP's new amounts start October 1, and you do not have to apply
The FY2027 SNAP cost-of-living adjustment takes effect October 1, 2026. New maximums and income limits apply automatically to October benefits.