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.
Has anyone with CashApp got theirs? It seems like they’re slow this year.
Just got mine ddd 2/26 credit karma card fees paid up front
Anyone with H&R Block got there money DD yet onto their emerald card??
@Tee: Sorry for late reply. Deposit is is set for 2/26.
Anyone have control card? Last year I had fees taken from STBTG and it came 1 day early at 5:59 pm. I paid no fees this year and did 5 days early
They used to just be netspend
Varo just dropped FINALLY! DDD 02/26, got 846 at 12:45AM today. Paid fees in advance
Hey DDD 2/26 but I got fees coming out with republic bank and I got chime . But I’ve checked all today and no fees paid or return recieved by them. Anybody know when I should see an update on there ? Thanks in advance
@JP: No, I’m still on path on wmr as well.
@Starchild1111: Did you pay’s fees upfront or taken out of refund? My first time using cashapp. My fees were taken out refund.
Am I still the only one with the PATH message on WMR?
One of my daughters has her pending at a traditional bank another also has a traditional bank nothing pending, I have cash app nothing pending! On top of all that you guessed I have another daughter that got her yesterday at 10 am. We all got 846 on the last update.
226 just hit the bank varo.
I don’t think notifications are going out because I haven’t seen anyone get deposit today
@Buckey12: That year it was like the 23rd.
so. my wmr now says approved 2nd bar ddd of 2/25 but transcript say 846 2/26 and im a 0705 Pather no advance just reg cashapp bank last yr it was the same but no 2/26 ddd i received it 2/22 at 1:26pm est
@Gorillamom4: I hope so something is definitely going on. Cuz it’s multiple banks w early card still haven’t posted. It has to be something going on. This is crazy.
@Jay Jay not logged in: are you saying that you have a DD date of 2/26 and your getting it early?
Past 3 years on chime and varo it showed up same day it was issued not sure if it will happen again
@Tia: This happened here yesterday.
@Mary: DD February 26th there’s no notice of deposit from the IRS to TurboTax. That’s why I know DD 2/26 been paid
They fired 10 IRS workers here. Didn’t even give them any notice. Smh. I know 7000 are supposed to be let go. When are they letting these people go??
Just got an email that fees were paid today at 11:41 am
I don’t have a dog in this fight. Mine will be here 2/26 because that’s how my bank is, was and forever shall be. My question for those of you waiting on early dd (excluding that tt 5-day early cluster fudge) is this: when did you receive your refund in 2020 for your 2019 return? This year is a carbon copy (at least for me).
is there any hope deposits could still come through on chime. I did not have fees used freetaxusa with 2/26 dd
@shelleybeanss: last yr my ddd was 2/25 i got it on cashapp 2/22 and sbtg had 2/25 this year my ddd is 2/26 and my sbtg says 2/25 right now so hoping its the same this time around and casahp hit 3 days early fingers crossed…
I got off of work early. Man come on DD me already!!!
@shelleybeanss: would that be tonight or Sunday night though?
@Einstein Possible
@Honeybee82: same lol and the nerve of them to do us like this.. my DD last year was the 22nd I got mine on chime the 2/21/2024