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.
@Sheila_33: I don’t know but where’s the coffee ☕
@singlemomto4: sounding like possibly tomorrow. Or tonight, Do not see them doing it Monday. Could be wrong it is always a day before so there is no problem. Especially the weekend coming up,
@singlemomto4: I really am not sure. Perhaps someone that has experience with them can chime in. :)
Woo to the Hoo!! It’s your turn to shine weeklies! ✨ I’m just popping in to sprinkle some good vibes, but I’ll be back on later to celebrate with you all! 😄
@Sheila_33: hi, been awhile but I used credit karma and tt this year for the loan and fees taken out. According to past patterns any idea when Sbtpg will send me my money? They got it yesterday and ddd is 2/24. Thank you in advance!
Does anyone know if I can use the IRS upload tool without the 12c letter that I haven’t received. Filed/accepted 1/31.
@Nene: no, not necessarily an ID verify. I had this one year and it just meant that for whatever reason it was taking a little longer. Beyond the 21 day time frame, perhaps. It all worked out just fine. I have seen many ppl with that wording and it means you are just still processing. If you see Take Action or something other than the standard processing or still processing then that MIGHT be cause for concern. It’s coming. ❤
@Gorillamom4: yeah i always get paid Wednesday evenings with them. Thinking its just whoever turbo tax used to process the fees is holding it up.
@S: it’s a NHB. From ppl that I have talk to that’s not in the forum they say they receive theirs like 5 days early. I receive my paycheck 2 days early. I knew it wouldn’t hit once I received the 846 on yesterday because I took a loan. I’m not dealing with the loan anymore though. I always use chime and it hits after I receive the 846, same day
@S: my bf and i normally get a small deposit of $150 to our sofi checking dd and it always comes on wednesday for our friday deposits. IT actually posts before our other nhb
@CrazedinGA: your the best.. Thank you 🎉🄿🄰🅁🅃🅈🎈
@NYnic: OH okay, thanks. I use Chase secure checking, it supposedly post up to 2 days early. I still haven’t received anything as of yet.
@Justin0255: my DDD is 2/25 though.😩😩. Yours is 2/24 and you still haven’t received anything yet? Bummer😩😩. Praying we both see something really soon🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@Sheila_33: Yes thank you for your dedication and amount of time you give every year to help us.
@CrazedinGA: Thanks so much. It actually doesn’t show on my transcripts. I’m a weekly so maybe tomorrow. When I go into my tax account it says to verify. When I try to do this it asks for the code from the letter
@Samian: No, most of the time it’s their bank and routing so they can take their fees and send it to your bank.
Good luck tonight to everyone who’s waiting to update!
@Sheila_33: yes they are! So it wont be in my paperwork?
@Nene: I’ve seen that message mean a number of things, mostly just a delay. Hopefully, we’ll see some updates in the next couple of days.
@JAYY: waiting on SoFi as well. Got my DD for 2/24 with fees out of refund. Glad to know im not the only SoFi user
@Jay Jay not logged in: Aww…I’ve adopted you all. We’re just a big old family that has a reunion once a year. Now, which one of you brought the donuts? Lol
@MandyAmanda: you should be updating tonight with all the other weeklies ;) by tomorrow you should see the beautiful code 846