Those who filed their taxes early this year will have to wait longer for their refund.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, the delay was caused by new safeguards installed in IRS computer systems to prevent refund fraud.

The problem is limited to taxpayers who filed their returns before Thursday, Jan. 26.

Returns that were accepted on or after Jan. 26 will not be affected.

Taxpayers have until April 17 to file their tax returns this year because April 15 falls on a Sunday and Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls on April 16.