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.
I got my dd with Wells Fargo right after 4pm Central.
I just checked my bank account, I am a panther because of the additional child tax credit. I paid TurboTax for the five day early refund, it is 4:18 PM mountain standard time and my deposit just hit my bank account. I bank with Huntington bank – I filed on Feb 8th and paid fees with refund this year . Check your bank account. I was shocked because I was not expecting it. Where is my refund has not updated and I do not have the ability to check my transcripts, I don’t think I’d be able to handle that stress anyway- I’ve only ever relied on WMR
@Dentonj88: no. You need that 846 or money isn’t released.
Credit Karma just hit
Is it possible to get a refund before transcripts update? Congrats to the folks that have received theirs.
If you have, please share details!! Processing dates, fees paid up front, all that wonderful stuff
Chime in SC hit at 5:50
@Creole Queen: instead of going straight to transcripts just log into your IRS account and navigate to view tax documents that way. That is how I get in because the other way is locked down from the multiple request. Hope this helps
Credit karma account in cali just hit!
Refund received! 846 on my transcript DDD 2/24. Refund received today with Turbo Tax 5 days early!
@Sheila_33: The nice man that i talked to said that it was fixed on the 12th by them internally, he didn’t see that they sent anything out or that they needed anything from us and that it would take 8 weeks from the 12th for them to process it and give the refund out. u think it’ll take that long? he said that it was in the processing phase or that it was processed. he also said that this week is the end of the path credit hold and that he can tell me that it could take up to 8 weeks. prior to me calling the irs i called the ID verify people and i talked to a lady and she said they received it or that they accepted it on the 13th and they have till march 13th to process it and do the refund so who do i believe?
@Mom@3:I am checking if my $25 has been refunded. Will a deposit still arrive today?
@Awalkee: still waiting too
Did anyone refund hit sbtg yet?
Looks like funds are hitting Republic Bank.
Refund now shows up there. Let them take there fee and pass my bread along to Netspend.
@Wheredacashatt: is your 1095A showing on your irs account?
I wish I could provide a transcript update but the IRS website has been stuck for hours.
@Deano: that’s awesome. Thank you.
Updated to the action required message two weeks ago today got thru 2 a nice rep she told me a letter was mailed on the 13th stating I need to provide 1095A and form 8962 and I was provided a faxes number to Austin so fingers crossed I see movement soon
@AnyHelpPlease: also still have NOT received the letter.
Ok this tax season is terrible – I’m NOT path – filed accepted 1/31. WMR updated 2/11 stating need more information to process return a letter is being mail. No movement on irs transcripts just state no return processed. Just now check my IRS account and now I can see my w-2 and 1095A under the new documents received for 2023 and 2024. So confused and frustrated.
@RuthBaby: Thank you for your response.
I have 846 2/24 going on emerald card not sure when i should receive it.
Blessings and patient to those who are still in waiting it’s coming just hold on
@GaMom: You will receive today it takes about Hour after they do the fee thing 🙂
Chime just hit Florida….. Ching Ching was a path 846 code yesterday and is a daily file end of January updated last Tuesday with hood code but not the 846 code it didn’t appear until last night
Refund just hit my bank account (credit union) with Turbo Tax 5 Day early refund. All fees paid out of my refund. My 846 date is 2/24/25. Hopefully, this give you some hope…it’s coming.
@Mom@3: Im going to go read the fine print they sent because now it may redirect us to sbptg
@Awalkee: not yet but Republic bank showing fees taken out. It hasn’t went to card yet.
Republic Bank Jackson Hewitt just received my refund eventually on the way to Serve Card 🎉🎉🎉🎉
@Vontane: right on!
@RELIEF2020: you’ll probably update Friday morning with the rest of us true weeklies.
@RuthBaby: Will definitely spend that extra $25 next year!
@Vontane: 😂😂 let me tell you something, that $25 was worth it! My mind is now at ease.
TurboTax updated showing refund received just waiting on chime,paid for the five days early. However, I usually get my refund within 24 hours after getting 846.
@RuthBaby: I didn’t, I seen when they offered it but I didn’t choose it. Looking back now I definitely should have 🤣
JH serve card hit yet?
@Jenny04: If they got it fixed, I don’t think it will take 8 weeks. Maybe you’ll get an update Friday morning, fingers crossed. :)