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.
@Mom@3: yes it says intuit which is TurboTax
@Danni: Mines shows funded already with fees token out and my DDD is for 2/25. I’m hoping they release it early like tomorrow. Earlier this morning when I checked it wasn’t funded yet. So it just happened in the last few hours. I know banks are closed. Hoping it shows up tomorrow. Fingers crossed 🤞🏾
@FreezingInOHIO: I agree 100% I wanna crash out on the IRS my processing date said Feb. 17th but haven’t gotten a DDD yet and it’s annoying tf outta me🤣
@Afraz2010: was it from Turbotax?
@1toughbuttmom: yes. Depending when irs started your return, it should populate. There’s those like me that got all good codes weeks ago and have sat under path freeze and then pop 846 tonight. Others, like yourself, are blank or partial and also pop tonight. One can never predict exactly what will happen. People were surprised the other night at how 846 codes were dropping.
To that end, I’d like to think me mentioning a certain name triggered all of those 846s, but I have no data to prove that theory.
@Mom@3: They literally told me it wasn’t possible and even went so far as to tell me the IRS made up my information. I said the agent didn’t pull a random routing number and bank from her butt. They are clueless and it’s sad TT didn’t prepare better for this. I told them it’s a joke and if my money is lost they will be liable.
@Babygirl87: I have no idea because, they can’t tell me anything. I just know that’s where the IRS said it was sent and TT is insistent that they can’t have it. I have had 2 agents tell me they only use SBTPG. 🤣🤣 I said move over and let me do your job I am literally looking at the contract from my return that says you agree to have your refund sen5 and fees deducted by Cross River bank for the 5 days early.
Anyone with TurboTax/intuit get a $0 transaction in their bank? Just showed up today.
Filed and accepted 1/28
Chose 5 days early option
Fees taken from refund option.
Path act still on WMR
Could it mean they are about to send my refund?
@Babygirl87: I have no idea because, they can’t tell me anything. I just know that’s where the IRS said it was sent and TT is insistent that they can’t have it. I have had 2 agents tell me they only use SBTPG. 🤣🤣 I said move over and let me do your job I am literally looking at the contract from my return that says you agree to have your refund sen5 and fees deducted by Cross River bank for the 5 days early. They literally told me it wasn’t possible and even went so far as to tell me the IRS made up my information. I said the agent didn’t pull a random routing number and bank from her butt. They are clueless and it’s sad TT didn’t prepare better for this. I told them it’s a joke and if my money is lost they will be liable.
@Mom@3: TT didn’t mentioned that Sbtpg had my money she just said it was declined to go to cross river bank and that it was just pending to be released to them. So I’m guessing that’s why Sbtpg doesn’t have any of my info. If I can’t get through to the irs I’ll just wait to see if it’s in my account Monday which it normally does on the actual date I’m given. I just got nervous that I didn’t see it on Sbtpg after being told I was declined from cross river bank.
On behalf of all “05”’s I’d like to ask that you hold all questions, comments, and concerns until we receive the first 846 notification.
Sincerely a taxpayer on the verge of crashing out 🥴
So I’m just asking, from what I understand, if I’m a weekly it’s completely normal that my transcripts haven’t posted at all and still have zeros?
@AM0704: if you have no fees due, no advance, and no 5 days early ( whatever the he’ll that’s supposed to mean) your return goes straight from irs to your checking account. My DDD was 2/25 and my deposit hit this afternoon. I have always tried to stay on for a few days after to answer questions, if I can.
@Mom@3: so if cross river bank has your money when will it be released? TT told me she can see it pending from the irs bc it was declined to go to cross river bank. I’ll just call the irs in the morning bc when I call cross river it directs me to TT.
@Tykillaa28: same here
@FrazierGurl: hello fellow chimer.. let me know when your DD hit cause I had my fees coming from my refund and santa barbara bank says funded and a receive date 2/21/24 from irs today is the 20th so hopefully they release my money lol my DD is for 2/24/25 also the fees were taken out as well so it had the amount I am getting after
Well here we are my fellow 0505ers and 0605ers lol and all the others that they left out of all the fun. Here’s to hopefully we see updates in the next few hours. I think last night we started seeing them around 9:45/9:50 hopefully they give us the same grace. LETS GO 846
@Danni: Sbtpg already shows funded for me since yesterday and loan and fees paid. But nothing to me yet using credit karma and ddd 2/24
@Babygirl87: Did you call the IRS? TT told me SBTPG and was insistent. I called SBTPG they told me they had no record of a return for me this year. I called and asked the IRS for a routing number and to see where my refund was being sent. They told me the number and said it was Cross River bank. That’s directly what the agent pulled up on my return. TT is still saying Cross River wouldn’t have it. They are lying to you if they tell you they call see SBTPG. That’s not part of their company, they could not legally access that.
Come onnnn 846’s 🎉🎉🎉
@WASTATEGIRL24: same here. Filed early and got accepted during test batch. As of date changes back and forth too. Praying for the 846 tonight
@Estie: Yes, I’m in the same situation as you are.
@Broke in IN: Yes, you would need to at least cycle through one week fastest processing time and latter would be 3 weeks if you were to get resequenced. Here’s to a good two week turnaround
@Isittoosoontoworry: no, it is not associated with your tax return. It is separate. I thought the same thing because I accidentally used my last year’s w2, but I got the 846 with wage return saying no return filed.
@Babygirl87: sorry and hope you can c it soon
@wade123: I’ll be right here with ya. I think my kiddo will be waiting for awhile too. :(
@Zeethegeek979: sorry. Yes
IRS just tired 6,000 workers!!
We ride a dawn 0505ers!
@Babygirl87: did you have fees coming out your refund if so then I wonder what the hold up is
@WASTATEGIRL24: same. Path as several of us. I’ll be up off and on throughout the night.
@Zeethegeek979: I just checked my transcripts and I have 846 for 2/25 but when I check around 10 last night it wasn’t there
A quick question 🙋♀️ if I also have a couple of paper returns that were mailed in but expected to be direct deposited into my bank when should I expect an update on those return or possibly see an update any help would be appreciated thanks 😊
@Danni: yes I know. I never get mine early but what I was saying is that I chose 5 day early and it got declined so it was never fully sent to cross river bank. TT told me she can see it pending on their end but on Sbtpg website I don’t see it yet anything yet. I should’ve never chose the 5 day early option bc by now it would’ve shown my info on Sbtpg website.
@Chelyn: is that EST?
@Broke in IN: Yes, it’s normal. The 13th was just last Thursday.
@Zeethegeek979: I believe the last two nights it’s been about 945
@Babygirl87: well I take my comment back maybe things are different this year because I just check sbtpg and mines say funded already and I haven’t checked my transcripts today but last night I didn’t have the 846 yet so this is definitely a surprise for me but it has a date to be posted under the amount paid to you section. Sorry if I confused you
@Broke in IN: hi I filed 2/10 accepted 2/10 . My transcripts did populate but have all zeros. I do believe you would update tonight into tomorrow 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽
I’m not seeing any 846’s just yet. What time did they start coming in yesterday?
@Broke in IN: same question, idk what’s going on
@Still learning: refund issued
Filed 2/10 accepted 2/13 still no transcripts available, is this normal?
Hi,
Is anyone having the same issue is this normal?
Filed on FEB 5th and accepted on the same day. My wmr states: We have received your tax return and it is being processed. If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date.
However when I access my tax transcript is says there is no record for year 2024.
Filed 1/10
Accepted 1/17
Transcripts been completely filled out for several weeks (can’t remember the date) 0505 2/17
As of has been all over the place 2/24 3/3 etc
Walked the path
Paid fees up front have NHB
Really hoping for good news by tomorrow morning.
@LWBOSS: I love this!!
@Babygirl87: hi in my years of dealing with sbtpg my refund never shows funded until the day of my DDD. So if your date is 2/24 that’s the day sbtpg will show funded and that will b the day they deposit your refund in your account
So those of you having that issue are y’all weekly’s?
@AM0704: if you didn’t have fees taken out of your refund then it will just go straight to your bank.
@Amariex3: That’s a good question bc I’m having the same issue. When I spoke with TT I was told it’s pending from the irs on their end. I got declined for the 5 days early bc im not banking with ck. My DDD is 2/24 which I’m not rushing it but why isn’t it showing on Sbtpg yet if I’m having fees taken out. I also asked if it’ll process tomorrow and she said probably not and definitely not over the weekend. So then she said give it until the 25th then call back.
Is sbtpg showing no account found for anyone else ddd 2/24? no fees no advance no early deposit??? Filed With Freeraxusa??!! its making my nervous 😫 Or does it go straight to my bank?
@Amariex3: I wanna say it’s because they went through different bank if you did the 5 day early fee…that’s why I was wondering for the people who are seeing their info on sbtg if they did the 5 day early fee because I can’t see mine either
I’ve noticed that people who did the 5 day early thing and got declined, even with an 846 and DDD of 02/24 on their transcript, their info isn’t found on SBTPG – any idea why this is happening?
Everyone checking sbtg, did you not do the $25 5 day early thing?