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.
Anyone with Jackson Hewitt and serve card with a dd of 2/26 got a deposit?
@fullhouse123: Filed 2/8…. Accepted 2/9…,,,As date is 3/10….
@Sally831: Thank you ma’am. 😊
@singlemomto4: that’s bull crap. i hate them but every year i still do it and im like, crap i did it again lol. im sure next year ill do it again but ill try not to lol. its so bull.
I just looked and last year I filed with TT and had fees taken from refund and had a DDD of 2/23 and it got deposited on 2/22 at 4:38AM on chime….This year I have a DDD of 2/24, I was hoping it was going to come this afternoon but doesn’t look like it…I always say every year that next year I’m going to pay fees up front lol
@TooTiredofWaiting: I usually update with the 846 code, on Friday early morning at 3a-5a. I still haven’t updated to 846. So I guess we will see what happens next Friday morning. As long as I have no codes, then I guess all is okay.
@Angeleyes: They are so all over the place honestly. This year I see a lot of people showing funding that day (around evening). In my previous years I was always funded the day before DDD, then my trace number shows up on my DDD then a deposit later on in the day. Mine says unfunded too. I don’t expect or have my hopes up for anything until 2/26 with Santa Barbara. LOL! And this year I mean it, this is my last year using them! CDFU!
transcripts updated around 2am this morning with a 2/26/25 DDD. just received my federal refund on Credit Karma about 4 minutes ago. Filed on TT with fees taken from refund, didnt opt-in for for the advance or 5 days early. checked SBTG about 11am and it said funded. eastern time zone. i did have a small offset and that was taken and the rest is on my credit karma card now.
Just got an email from TurboTax your federal and state tax refunds are being processed by Tax products Group (TPG) tax products and will be sent to you after deducting TurboTax and related service fees
How long does it typically take for sbtg website to show funded once the irs give an 846 code?
@@State of MassConfusion:: cool, I didn’t realize transcripts update during the day. What is your as of date? I was 0805 last year, file 2/12, transcripts are black still and as of date is 3/10.
Hoping we see something today. When yours hits don’t forget to post what card/bank, your DDD, if you opted for the 5 day early thing and if fees were paid up front. It doesn’t matter what state you’re in or what your zodiac sign is.
@Jenny04: exactly how I feel. Sbtpg says they will release the day of ddd.
Well I called the offset line and they paid my offset so I know my return is moving somewhere lol just not to me.
My TT now shows payment complete for my fees. So we are moving a step in the right direction 2/24 DDD and SBTPG shows as funded no trace number yet
@Clyde: 2/26 nothing yet. I didn’t have any fees I will update soon as it hit chime
Anyone with bluebird get deposit yet?
Sbtpg says no account exists. Does that mean it’s going to cross river? If so how do I check? Transcripts show refund issued 2/26. Did the 5 days thing
@singlemomto4: wow so will hold my money till wed?? thats bull crap. next year im paying up front so i dont have to worry about this next year. to much crap for me lol..
@Clyde: nope!
Any new 846ers with 2/26 date with early dd get a deposit yet
Has anyone got anything with CashApp yet?
@Nc: I paid for 5 days early I’m scheduled for next Wednesday DDD 26 and TurboTax charged tax haven’t emailed me saying I was denied, and I’m not showing up on sbtpg either.
“Internal Revenue Service would lay off about 7,000 workers around the country beginning Thursday.”
My federal hit moments after my state hit. DDD 2/25 pather fees taken out with H&R Block.
I filed the 8th of February and my return still says received, I claimed my two children and worried something’s wrong or if this is something everyone else is going through?
@Jenny04: apparently on the 26th
So….. they don’t know anything except that it’s pending……
@Ambo: I had blank transcripts as well up until about an hour ago. I’m an 0805 cycle code and was gonna give up until next week.
well i have a DDD of 2/26 but its going to SBGPT first then to my NHB so they can take out the fees for TT. when would i see my DD if its schedule for 2/26??
Anyone use Dave
I did think about using Credit Karma. Then my instincts told me no.
Daily went thru with a breeze but weekly for some reason always get the short end
@KYKids: yes me and my mother in law both got emails from turbo tax saying we didn’t get the 5 days early so it put it in limbo because it was supposed to go to cross river bank and then sbtpg for the fees so now sbtpg doesn’t even show out returns at all. My mother in law just got her dd on her date 2-21. And mine is 2-24. A lot of people isn’t showing up on sbtpg
I’m seeing ppl on Facebook saying they getting chime deposits but I think that’s cap
Credit Karma seems to be the problem this year. My husband did not get his DD until the day he was suppose to even though SBBT was showing funded last Friday no deposit until the 20th.