key tax return and refund dates
When can you file your taxes?
You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.
Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.
When does the IRS accept tax returns?
The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on January 26, 2026.
When is the IRS test batch?
If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.
When will I get my tax refund?
Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.
Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?
The IRS no longer publishes an official tax refund cycle chart. It has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Since then, dozens of versions have popped up, some better than others.
That’s where we step in.
Get the dates, skip the guessing.
Each year, we compile the most accurate Refund Cycle Chart, built from IRS manuals, payout trends, PATH Act release dates, holidays, and real user updates, so you don’t have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your money’s coming.
tax refund grapevine
This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.
tax refund tools
IRS Update Cycle
Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.
When are Updates?
The IRS has regular mass update cycles.
WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?
Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.
WHEN DO transcripts update?
Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.
@Erica Christyne I filed last year with paystubs and ended up with the wrong amounts and they caught it ended up waiting until June for our refund. I had always used the last paystub, but last year, the company didn’t remove the insurance amount from the last stub which they had always done in the past ones. I didn’t catch, I couldnt believe the irs was on it and caught it. I figured I would just file an amended return when I noticed what I did. But no the irs has our income already to check.
Hello, all. I have a question. I worked three jobs this year and I have all the last paystubs for them, or do I have to wait until I receive the W2s?? Thanks… :)
Hello everyone!!! I filed yesterday with TurboTax and applied for the advance! Now just waiting on return to be accepted so I can hopefully get my advance! How is everyone doing today?!
@Tbatch Yeah I saw that too but that’s just one of those accounts posting to get people to go to TurboTax. The same happens with almost all other cards, they come and say they got the money 1 week earlier just to get people to sign with them.
I say that because it claimed it had gotten the money 2 hrs after submission, and no confirmation of being accepted. I can spot them now after being here for a few years.
@Alienmoon: i seen somebody say they was in this forum
Anyone accepted yet with Credit karma loan funded?
@NYkhidd: oh ok I just had my baby in December so we should be fine, thank you!!
@Jellybean: honestly my cousin had a baby end of last year she was just fine . It’s random when you start switching dependents with other people etc … like letting one person claim ya kids one year then you do it the next .. those the things they watch for. In my opinion you will be fine . They look for red flags like unreported income .. foreign bank accounts .. math errors .. etc it’s a list you can look up . It’s random which returns get pulled
@NYkhidd: oh ok I most likely will have a delay because I will be filing for a new child?
@Jellybean: Im in the same boat .. picked up another dependent this year (not really I amended last 2 returns) .. EITC was additional $2400 for the second dependent this year. I got 2 amended returns last few months one back in June 2024 for 2023 .. and another back in September 2024 for 2024 . I added the 2nd dependent to both they cut me a check for like $2200 both checks 3 months apart . 1 was a check .. the 2nd amended it was direct deposit surprisingly . I should be fine they processed the amendments fast wit the added dependent
Hello, I recently had another baby will. When I file will my return get flagged??
Good Luck to everyone this year.
last year (through a tax preparer) i got a $500 advance through SBTPG. The same bank turbo tax uses. what are my chances of getting a bigger advance this year? someone answer please…
I just filed too. Anyone filed with TurboTax and got accepted? I’m applying for the advance loan.
@Mike: I decided to just go ahead and file. We’ll see how it goes this year.
@Sheila_33: Goodmorning and thank you. Yes poor thing was out for a run and went down unfortunately they couldn’t save him. The good thing out of it all is me and my brother have gotten closer again so I can’t complain. On a side note, I have everything ready to file just debating lol
@Mike: So sorry for your loss sir.
@Monee: it doesn’t say accepted on the TurboTax app but the refund advance loan was deposited about 2 hours after I filed on the app.
@Monee: Thank You! Very much. And I am sure everything will go smoothly this year. I am actually looking forward to see how things play out this year.
@Mike: So sorry for your loss. I hope and pray everything improves daily for you. Here…all the same. Kids are a year older. Still teaching, but debating unretirement from football.
@Mike: I’m so sorry for your loss. This is my first year in a long time filing a w2 so I’m pretty nervous this year about the filing change and praying it goes smoothly.
Hi all. Back on for another year to try and keep myself sane. Lost my dad last year shortly after getting my refund. Was very unexpected he was healthy and young. Needless to say I have been in a depression. Looking forward to helping people out this year as usual. How are the regulars?
@Buckey12: I try to keep options open, lol.