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.
@Minemybusiness: that is true. If you opted for the advance you weren’t eligible for the 5 days early.
@RuthBaby: my TurboTax just updated to funded 2/19 so does that mean the money was sent to my bank and I can receive it tonight
Netspend just hit in AZ…. used TT and paid fees up front, DDD of 2/24
@RuthBaby: I am sorry I see now on your post.
@RuthBaby: Did you have fees taken out? Or pay upfront?
I did not get an advance just my fees taken out and opted for the 5 days early. I do use SOFI and they are a NHB but turbo tax refunded the 25.. just waiting on the deposit from cross river into my SOFI
@Hoping: thanks 🥺 it sucks bc I usually try to be as polite as humanly possible because I know they probably deal with alot…that lady pushed every single button though. I couldn’t fathom being that rude and condescending
TT 5 days early deposit just hit my account. Just wanted to update in case someone else is in the same boat.
Not sure how true this is I heard if you got the Advance through TT. You are not eligible for five days earlier deposit don’t shoot the messenger don’t know if it’s true
@RELIEF2020: I filed on feb 3 got accepted the same day @RELIEF2020: I filed on feb 3 got accepted on the same day
@RELIEF2020: I filed on feb 3 got accepted the same day
@needmymoneynow: Yes I just checked and it says; We could not expedite your refund. No 5-day early fee was charged. With a delivery day of 2/19.
MY DD JUST HIT MY SPRUCE ACCOUNT!!! 🎊🎉🎊🎉 Sorry for the all caps, just got excited!!!
I have Chime nothing but my TT app timeline changed. It wont let me attach pic but the dot is in the middle again flashing pending and waiting to move to last bubble that says “refund delivery”
@Dentonj88: dang! I’m sorry they had you like that. I find that they get more rude every year and have that I don’t care tone like they hate their jobs. Hope you get your $$$ soon.
Blessings 🙏
Cash app users keep us posted when you hit
@CrazedinGA: Thank you! :) im really hoping to see a deposit by friday i have chime so just impatiently waiting for it lol…
Serve just popped!
@Justgivememymoneyyy: keep me posted if yours hit I’ll do the same
@needmymoneynow: yeah mine just updated to that right now..im sure we will still get it soon. I hope.
Chime in Cali just hit! Pathet filed 1/17 code 846 overnight! Good luck yall!
Anyone with PNC get their deposits yet I have DDD for 2-24 I did pay my fees upfront and I opted out of getting it 5 days early with tt
@RELIEF2020: I would bet you update late Thursday/ early Friday. 🥰
@Punanni patrol: Wmr will most likely update in the morning with refund dates
@Lovergirl89: WHEN DID you file and when was your refund accepted? just tryng to see wht is goig on with mine lol filled and accpted 1/31 paid fees up front pather and all good codes but no ddd
Anyone have TurboTax fees taken out, and choose the 5 day early option with DDD 2/24 now see TurboTax say “We could not expedite your refund. No 5 day early fee was charged.” but still show refund delivery “est 2/19” on the Turbo Tax website? I’m wondering if it has said that prior to today because of PATH or if it’s something new. I just noticed it now.
@Hoping: I’m right there w you. SBTPG literally had me in tears yesterday
@southern9700: 5:00 Central time
Has anybody who went through TT see anything on SBTPG yet? Their system tends to be slow as heck and their reps rude as heck as well
@trillywya: that’s sooooo lame though that they do that. Like…. I neeed my money, you know?
@Tk (not signed in): LOL so true. Maybe it’s our time zone and bank. I’m eastern and my bank is chase
@southern9700: I’m pretty sure we will see deposits before 5:00pm
@Lovergirl89: did you pay fees with your refund?
@trillywya: tupo lol relation is release smh
Chime just hit in New Orleans
@Dentonj88: yes I used tt years ago and they normal hold the funds until the day before dd. Ig u have early relationship maybe sooner good luck and congratulations 🎊
I cant check transcripts does wmr update tonight overnight Nybody know?
@Deano: I have never known them to hold mine either but then again I dont remember it takng this long to update to federal refund received. Fingers crossed
@trillywya: that’s what they told me yesterday too…but then I reached out to SBTPG and got the RUDEST human being who kept arguing with me about what tax year I was asking about and then started responding in ways that didn’t make sense… mainly though she said SBTPG couldn’t see anything…which i didn’t understand because I figured they could see it before Chime would
@trillywya: lol youre lucky most the time chime tells me ” sorry we no see deposit bc we release it as soon as we get it” lol then 5 minutes later my phone will ding with notification of deposit smh :)
Thanks for the positive vibes and hope for a deposit .
@Dentonj88: I called chime and he /rep told me he could see it (deposit) but it’s still processing and deposits should start clearing soon.
@Honeybee82: right? We will probably see it late tonight or tomorrow morning, they’re having fun making us sweat while waiting!! 🤣
@okietax89: same here!!!
@Momto6and crazy: Do you know when your ddd was? Just wondering if it’s going to come early for me. I have a ddd for the 24th
I know it’s exciting! Please post your DDD, what card, if you paid fees upfront or not and if you opted for the 5 day early option when you get paid.
Congrats to those gettin’ it!
@southern9700: They usually do not hold I based off last year and the year previous
If any Chime pathers see movement or deposits, if you’d be a kind soul and drop your processing date, I’d be super grateful 🥹
PayPal just hit
@Awalkee: HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎉
Good evening! Well I have Regions Bank and I’m sure they do not deposit early😩 this is my first using my bank account for my refund. So I gotta wait until the 24th for my moooooooolah 😂
@southern9700: They usually do not hold it I based off last year it was the same day then received on the 16th and DDD 22nd
Capital one just hit! TurboTax 5 days early
@Anoirchy: did you use TT
@okietax89: okay same here 😄
@It’sbrinaa: I will let you know if mine hits soon. I have chime as well :)
Hopefully Chime users start getting hits within the next hour or so!
PNC just hit for me 5 days early with turbo tax !!!
@Anoirchy: congrats hope mines hit any second then lol
@Deano: I hope they dont hold it until the 24th mine says the same thing.
@Deano: I hope they dont hold it until the 24th mine says the same thing.
@Awalkee: that’s wassup bout have you a decent birthday present lol
Cash app deposit just hit 2 minutes ago. See yall next year. 🥳
Get yourself a local credit union. I have 2/24 DDD and I received mine in my small local credit union yesterday morning at 8:31am. These early cards no longer hit early like before. Plus the fees you need to pay. And these so called refund advance are not fee free or interest free.
JH fees paid hopefully deposit soon. Did I mention it’s also my 30th birthday? Haha
@Gators352: Mines either some one just told me theirs hit last year round 5:30-6 so I’m going wait to see then but mines usually hit at 12pm the last 2 years so if not at 5:30 I think tomorrow round 12-1
No not yet
@It’sbrinaa: not mines yet
@Justgivememymoneyyy: cashapp is hitting ?
@It’sbrinaa: cash app
All Jackson Hewitt Republic Bank check your website
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