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.
Wmr unavailable right now
@Jay Jay: Always appreciated! :)
@Sheila_33: good morning. Yes we did and I got my 846. Thank you for all your hard work here Sheila. I will still be here to help answer any questions others might have.
@orianasenoj: I filled and was accepted the 14th. My transcript is there with a 3/10 as of but it is not populated. This happened to me in a prior year. Most likely it means it is just not finished being processed.
@Sheila_33: yes, weeklies are starting to push through. I looked around 330am cst and mine finished.
My transcripts hadn’t even populated this entire time, didn’t even have a cycle code. However, woke up this morning to them fully filled out cycle code 20250805 and 846 2/26 DDD. I have chime and every year the day I get the 846 is the day I get my money. Also I use HRB. Woohoo!
Good luck to everyone hope you all get your money asap!
@Sheila_33: thank you!
@Chevy: I was in this exact situation, did you receive a letter yet? If not you might be receiving one soon. I would call the IRS since it’s been past 21 days. If you’re being sent a letter they will resend it if you haven’t received it. But you will need the control number on that letter in order to process.
my transcripts says they are not available at this time,anyone else have this?
Good morning, yesterday sbtpg received my refund took the fees out and shows the 25th as my deposit date. I use cash app. Will it be earlier than the 25th that it gets deposited to my cash app?
Good morning everyone! Looks like we had some updates! Congratulations!
@Alizay4455: That’s the way it is cuz…
Does anyone know what time Sbtpg updates? 846 here with DDD 02/26 processing date 0f 2/24/2025. Sbtpg shows not funded.
@Dill pickle: Hi, I have Cashapp as well and regardless of what, I have always gotten my deposits early. Fees and all. My ddd is the 24th and still nothing as I updated Wednesday.
Updated to a 846 for 2/26 this morning. I am a weekly and a pather. This years journey is almost done. Good luck everyone.
@2blessed: well cash app is a no hold bank , it should be asap! 🤞 I’m not positive if there’s any extra verification in your case as you used a different tax filing software –
Does anyone else know?
@orianasenoj: answered at 427am est. It’s back one page. You’ve started processing, and it’s possible You’ll still fill in later this morning.
Filed 1/24
Accepted same day
Saw I had to verify early February
As of date pushed out to March 10th now
This is turning into a nightmare
Hey everyone. Is my post visible? Because I feel like everyone is looking over my question.
@2blessed: oh I see you use cash app to bank but TT to file taxes- that’s why you pay….
I use cash app to file and bank with –
Good luck to you!
@Dill pickle: No I’m not paying. It’s just the first time for me using cashapp. Previous years I used chime. I just want to know when the deposit would hit.
@0505er: congratulations!