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.
@AJ: I’m one of those crazy quiet mama’s lol. Thank you. 😊
Republic bank has just been funded, waiting in cash app. Let’s gooo!!
@Jessica C: thanks for the info! That’s makes sense. Which is why we have been seeing ppl who did not pay fees got their $. The ones who are paying through refund haven’t been getting theirs yet
@Horsecharlie09: No, I did not.
@Jay Jay not logged in: I got the email saying they didn’t charge for the 5 days early and they showed me the breakdown of the fees they did take out. They sent the email a few hours ago but still nothing via cash app. It hoped it would come a few days early since my paycheck does.
@Starr: Congratulations! 😊
My daughter filed using Free Tax USA as well with a DDD of 2/26/2025 and her refund just posted to her Chime account
@Sheila_33: hi , this year went smoothly for me thanks for your advice. I got my 846 last night and now it just hit my netspend card
@Audra: lol that’s so not true. Bc the IRS send the money to them before that date. Bc it goes to bank 1st then to us. What they should have said was that THEY are holding the $ until the exact date but noóoo! It’s unfortunate how it’s so easy for some companies 2 just place blame elsewhere. especially when you can see that the bank Has received money & taken fees like the Santa Barbara bank TT uses where we can see our info.
@Dentonj88: LMAO…Just scrolling through comments and couldn’t stop laughing at you wanting to fight them in an alley. Bet a lot of people feel that way right now.
@Sheila_33: I don’t think you can get irritated, you should be going crazy by now answering the same question a million times with what seems like a smile in your face. You have a tolerance threshold that most can only dream of. You’re the best on here. Good Luck with your daughters’ return.
0605 cycle code
updated at midnight with 846 code
DDD of 02/26
Fees were taken out about an hour ago from State
Just a few mins ago federal hit my Serve card!
@jlindseyf5: mine is the same exact way. I don’t get it.
@Horsecharlie09: I used Free Tax USA and went with the Go2Bank option because of the up to 5 days early payment for the refund.
Ddd 2/26 … NO FEES deposit just hit chime 2 minutes ago 6:47 pm est . 846 showed up last night around 11:45 pm est
@Celina93: mine either
@Tia: Let’s hope not. Too many people depend on their refunds.
Hey has anyone else used EG tax and/or got an advance with EPS Financials who use Pathway Bank? I am trying to figure out if I may get my refund early or on time.
The Serve Card toll free number states that ” The IRS has began releasing tax benefits for customers who filed through Jackson and Hewitt. Account should reflect refund in a few hours”. So …
Should I be worried that my chime hasn’t hit? I see chime is starting to drop
Just got the text from republic that they received hopefully they deposit tonight if not I’ll have to wait until Monday 😫
I was watching the news. They said these irs changes may delay refunds being sent out. Idk how true it is but its on the news.
Got the 846 last night for 2/26.. I used TT and did the advance and fees taken out. SBTPG is still saying unfunded. Very odd..
I didn’t pay for the tax preparation. I only paid 25 for 5 days early. Will my money still go to them or from the IRS directly since they not taking that$25
@JP: yes still waiting on cash app hopefully soon
I got a daughter waiting for a manual review and update. Things need to get organized or this mama gonna get irritated.
@S: if you are paying fees with your refund then having a NHB doesn’t matter bc the deposit has to go to their bank first and they hold it until your ddd
Hope this helps
@S: if you are paying fees with your refund then having a NHB doesn’t matter bc the deposit has to go to their bank first and they hold it until your ddd
just got dd used h and r block and was on path was loaded on netspent
@Barbz🩷: did you go back and look on turbo tax to see if they have not rejected 5 days early if you opted for that. Mine was good all day until about 30 min ago. They rejected me. So now I’m wondering now what. Am getting paid tonight cause tt says est. Deposit date 2/21
Refund just hit for Netspend DD 2/26
Have a deposit date for NY state 2/25
@Barbz🩷: I’ve noticed a lot haven’t got anything with CashApp. I wonder what’s going on this year?