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.
@Okietax89: Yes, I believe it takes 24-48 hours before u will see it in your account
@Honeybee82: I wonder if it has anything to do with me having fees taken from refund? Does it take much longer if I do?
Guess emerald card is making me wait until the actual DDD this year. Ugh
Come on IRS!! Us weeklies need some love too. I’m ready to shake that money tree!!
Updates are happening tonight and tomorrow night to lift the paths act. I was told this around 330pm from an IRS worker. He told me the only thing holing my refund back is the PATH freeze and they will be releasing the hold tonight as well as Thursday night.
Hopefully everyone get the paths act lifted by the morning.
I was going to ask if anyone in NJ has received their state refund but NJ takes ridiculously long to do anything lol
Good luck brothers and sisters 💜🙏
Are transcripts updated all day?
@Dentonj88: but then it also says this
The C- freezes systemically release on February 15th for modules processed daily, and on the first Thursday after February 15th for modules processed weekly.
Are the modules they’re referring to the same as cycle codes?
@Dentonj88: still broke lol
I learned a thing- it makes everything make even less sense…..TAS said my stuff had a C(-) Refund Hold for the PATH act…according to the IRS though, this should’ve processed Tuesday aka the next business day
The C- freezes systemically release on February 15th ..but this was on their site (see below)
Exception:
If February 15th falls on a weekend, modules processed daily systemically release on the following business day.
I need my stuff to update😔
@846 for every 1: that sounds amazing!! 🍤🧀🍞
My daughter and I are eating KFC…definitely not as fancy lol 😆
@CrazedinGA: thnx for the info much appreciated
@Sam I am: thnx for the insight much appreciated
@Waiting patiently: Fees from refund. Yes, Cash App.
@Dentonj88: My wmr hasn’t updated either, still on refund accepted
So for the people who did file with TurboTax and paid $25 for 5 days early wasted that because I didn’t and still got it early
@Vontane: my wmr hasn’t updated and my processing date was 2/17 but no 846 😕
Thank u for the information though! I’m trying to compare because if I re-fill out this TAS stuff I’m hoping they see this is wonky
Waiting on Friday !!!!
What’s everyone eating or eat for dinner?
Me and my kids are eating grilled shrimp with au gratin potatoes green beans and jalapeño cheese bread.
Got email saying I received my refund on serve at 6:31pm. About 20 mins ago. Jh with fees.
@Dentonj88: 2-24 on wmr but on TT was 2-18 without paying the the extra $25 for 5 days early
I knew not to switch to Go2 shoulda stayed with Chime😂
@Okietax89: my H&R Spruce card hit a little after 5:00
Anyone with HRB and chime receive DD yet?
@Jennthepen: I feel your pain hun did you have fees taken out as well and did your tax money going to cash app too? Cause I did with fees n cash app
@Basketcasemama: so idk how long it takes transcripts to show up but I was on path and decided to wait til February 25th to file by march 2 just 7 days later I had my refund
@Vontane: what was your processing date?
@boredsowhynot: that’s crazy in 2020 I had to paper file and didn’t get a check until July do you know how to see transcripts?
Filed with TurboTax with fees taken out of refund. With a ddd for 2/24. Checked sbtpg and it says “Funded’ to my Chime account. Hope this gives some of you guys hope!! ☺️
@Waiting patiently: not sure it sucks.
@Waiting patiently: I’m not certain myself, but I think that means it should be. 🙏🏽
I did tt and on the site it moved a little closer to the refund delivered thing but no update on wmr which also happened last year it just was there I’m just curious need to catch up some things I was thinking by the 22nd but yeah anyways don’t know how to do the transcript thing so thanks any advice I have cash app btw
@Nelson35: this was almost me this time. Until this morning, it said my return wasn’t processed and couldn’t be found. Then today it says code 806. And 20 mins ago, it was in my bank lol
@Tykillaa28: I’m in the same boat…. Common refund…..
@Squirrelsnacks: no you should update next Friday though. Cutoff day is Tuesday to update for that same Friday. It will not take 9 weeks like they say. I had to do the same thing last year and it did not delay me at all.
@Tykillaa28: do you remember what your processing date was on your transcript
Chime folk check in 🥹
@Toni: Congratulations im still waiting santa barbara bank says funded and my DD is 2/24/25 and I have chime as well and fees taken from refund.. wheres mine lol
@Me sorry: Hi. My friend filed 1/27 and she received her California State Taxes in 7 days, And She received her “CHECK” Refund from IRS, 2 days ago
Yes, the check instead of direct deposit
@Sam I am: well that must mean I’m pretty close to getting it perfect
@Jennthepen: yes mines says the exact same as yours what does that mean for us do we get it today since they added a date now cause I didn’t have a date beforehand but now it says 2/19 ….
@Waiting patiently: me too.
Hi is anybody in California that fiĺed and accepted 1/27 received there refund? I don’t know how to check transcripts?
@Sam I am: no it hasn’t hit my card yet either everything else is done as far as fees and sent to the card
@Gators352: I bank with Regions and this is my first time getting my refund deposited into a traditional bank. Praying I get it before the 24th 😩