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 âqueueâ 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.
Thatâs 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 donât have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your moneyâs 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.
@DreamLooks: I don’t have my trace number yet. I updated to funded at 9:15pm. Maybe later in the morning/day.
@DreamLooks: what is trace numbers
@DreamLooks: mine too finally so in the morning money
Also just realized tt isnât any better than sbtpg. I wouldnât be doing with sbtpg if it wasnât for tt making me upgrade to deluxe and having to pay $123 therefor my funds having to go to sbtpg. I really hope they deal with a lot of pissed off people enough that they finally release peopleâs money to them. Iâd love to know how theyâre getting away with it.
SBPTG Just uploaded TRACE NUMBERS!!!!
SBPTG Say funded ! Like release our damn money yall got yall cut out already!!!! 0605 cycle ddd 2/26
Sbtpg I meant. Updated to funded at 12:01 am.
Sbgt just updated at 12:01 am to funded. DD of 2-26-2025.
Finally at the funded status but we all know sb is going to hold the funds which is bs.
@Mama.Bear: Iâm waiting as well for the one card DDD 02/26
Uh oh. Looks like its time to sue SB again. Every 4 years its the same bs. I remember back in 2020 they got sued for holding funded refunds after taking out fees. Here we go again.
Anyone file through free tax USA get a 846 last night using cash app get a deposit yet? DDD 2/26
@pastelito: Yeah, I tapped that too. It says âFundedâ and they didnât outline what that means. Itâs definitely a dirty game that theyâre playing. Because how did they take out their fees if the funds werenât received from the IRS?
@Jay Jay not logged in: I never got an email regarding the 5 days early. I wonder why. Is there anyway to contact the bank they used?
@Mamabee: from what Iâve read a day early at best
@Horsecharlie09: no fees but got an advance so no 5 day early option
@Guest118811: OHHHH you mean the bank got their money? Lol! Well let’s see how long they hold on to your money for because as of now they are trying to tell people that they will not get their money until the deposit date which is complete BS because nobody else is holding it AND they should not be holding money whenever they have collected their fees the money has been distributed from the irs. I have a feeling that they will be facing a lot of backlash because they are trying to say that customers will receive their money when the IRS funds the money which will be on the date given. However what happens whenever the IRS funds the money before that date? The bank is trying to hold the money while putting everything on the IRS
@Guest118811: congratulations! Yay !! ok, did you choose the 5 day early option from TT? Also, where your fees taken out of your refund or did you pay your fees up front?
People could please include this whenever they update us to let us now that they received their refund that would be super awesome please :)
It’s anyone using PayPal? I’ve not seen one person with PayPal update. Thank you
@Guest118811: Mine says the same thing. Could we possibly get it early?@Guest118811:
@Jennthepen: take notice to TT…ever few years they have something like this happen. . Then a couple of years will go way more smoothly for ppl. Then BAM! Atleast that’s what I’ve noticed the past decade . Idk about B4 then. It’s consistently something every few years and you’ll hear all about it on the Internet, the news etc. then some big class action lawsuit occurs etc. I could understand their excuses more if there were other companies, banks or even if the IRS stated they are experiencing issues. But that’s not the case. We see that it’s TT, their banks pulling stunts on their customers AGAIN.
SBPTG Funded at 11pm est
Ddd 2.26
@EbNAtl: ok so, they put up these notifications on the SBPTG site as u said bc ppl keep calling right? My suggestion is ppl need 2 keep calling anyway. I’m sure they will. Bc their ” pop up notification ” does not make sense anyway & ppl will be looking 4 an explanation. They say if it says funded u still need 2 look at the IRS date & u will get the $ on the date the IarS says the deposit is on. Not true bc all other places are sending money out & it’s just SBPGT deciding 2 hold it AND besides how can they say that when ppl can see that SBPGT has received funds & taken their fees getting their money?!?! That’s like saying 1+1=3 when it clearly does not. Makes no sense
@EbNAtl: I saw that notice, which is weird because when you click on the â?â Next to funded it says â Indicates whether you have received a Federal and/or state tax refund. An ‘Unfunded’ status indicates sbtpg has not received a tax refund. A ‘Funding received’ status indicates a Federal and/or state tax refund has been received.â So they have received the refund. And the ATTENTION message is saying that the date at the bottom is when the IRS will pay the refund.???
@Jay Jay not logged in: I believe it lol. Sad really! Why so many companies have to be so slimy . It’s like REALLY? Lol are the reallllly trying to pull this stunt on ppl and trying to blame the IRS. When ppl can SEE that the IRS has sent the money to SBPTG, and SBPTG has taken out their fees getting paid…so what’s the excuse bc no other bank and company holding and making excuses. Well, it’s no wonder why they constantly get sued
@Mom@3: you better get ready to raise it cause they ain’t planning on giving it up then. SMH
@Mom@3: wow sbtpg doesnât have an account for me by phone or websiteâŠ. Maybe Cross River is holding mine too.
@Horsecharlie09: they will have another one behind this rabbit hole scheme of 5 days early knowing they were going to reject a nice amount of ppl
@Mom@3: btw my date is 2/26 as well. No deposit either. Mine is going on CK card too but personally I’m not expecting it until 2/26 & am just grateful it’s around the corner. BUT I will be very angry if either 1 if 2 things occur which is if Santa Barbara gets my money early & they don’t distribute it when they get it, OR if I don’t get my deposit on 2/26 like it states. So for now, I’m ok & am not gonna get all mad until I have a real reason 2 b. As of now it shows they haven’t received anything & therefore haven’t taken fees. I understand why ppl are mad though when they see the bank has their money but still don’t have the funds. That’s a no go!
@Mom@3: that’s the bank turbo tax using for the 5 days early. So when it was rejected then they hold it until the actual DD and make all kinds of interest off our money. These banks also will borrow your money to supply loans if they don’t have money on hand. But they’ll have it when it’s time for you to get paid. It’s a dirty business full of dirty hands đ€Ź
@Mom@3: right! That’s bc the banks affiliated with TT are pulling bs this year. It makes no sense. TT is trying to blame IRS but when ppl can see that their $ has been receiving by Santa Barbara bank and fees have been taken, then they can’t say they haven’t gotten the $. Alllll of these other companies have distributed funds. So, that means there’s a problem with the common denominator which happens to be TT and their affiliated banks. Bc the IRS has done their part on their end, with all of these other places, tax companies & the banks. So yeah, it’s def them.
TT says they couldnât do 5 days early so thereâs no charge for that service now Iâm stuck waiting
@JJ not logged in: What is Pathward?
@Disbelief: Iâm weekly but received 846 code Wednesday evening..WMR updated today when deposit was received
@Mom@3: Ok
@EbNAtl: yeah bc they are CLEARLY lying! It’s not the IRS! If Santa Barbara has the money then it’s not the IRS. Instead..it’s the bank holding on to the money. How come it’s not happening with any other company or Bank? How come chime, serve, NetSpend etc are all getting their funds early? It’s a bunch of BS. And if I recall correctly something like this happened with TurboTax a few years ago! They said the same thing and tried that same thing. It’s crazy. Their attempts to do this, which earns them interest $ maybe is their way of making up $ that they’ve lost due to all of the class action lawsuits they have had to pay out on. You think by now they would have learned their lesson. Guess not.
@Horsecharlie09: My DD is 2/24 CK and no deposit.
@deedee2083: Congratz!! When did u get your 846 code?
I’ve not seen anyone who’s getting their money on CK card with a DDD date of 2/26, say that they have gotten theirs early , unless they chose the 5 day early option that is. So essentially JH serve card, chime, NetSpend etc all are sending out the refunds earlier than the DDD date but banks affiliated with TT are not! Sad they are doing ppl like that! And this just so happens to be the 1 year I’m not going with JH lol!
Iâm a pather 0605 weekly. Filed with TT had fees taken out. DDD 2/26 SBPTG just updated to funded and now thereâs a notice blaming the funds release on the IRS. I guess everyone has been calling and they got tired of giving excuses lol
@Horsecharlie09: yes I got this morning used TA paid fees up front
@Jennthepen: Because they screwed up. Everyone that filed for the 5 day thing wether they got it or not, their money still went to Cross River. Call the IRS and ask for the routing number of where your deposit was sent and look it up. I bet it’s Cross River.
@deedee2083: you got your deposit? Did u do the 5 days early option through TT?
@Jay Jay not logged in: They have been sued multiple times for false advertisement. TT forsure is shady like swearing SBTPG has myrefund and the IRS told me that it went to Cross River directly from my return. It’s all a hot mess. If my money isn’t in my account by Monday I am gonna raise hell on them.
Code 846 with DD 2/25 funds hit Wells Fargo this morning
Just a update. Even though I see my funds pending in my account. It won’t let me release my funds till the day of 2/26. Just sitting there looking pretty đ«„
I wonder if I logged in in like October, are there still people on here conversing?
@Deara: I do. I have the 570 and 971. I think it’s because I forgot a W2 of just $19.00. LOL.. And another W2 that has a minor change in it which ends up with the IRS owing me $29.00. LOLOL So that’s why I think I have it. It’s ridiculous but whatever.
Just an update as I saw some people asking – I filed with cash app and bank with cash app I got my 846 today for 02/26 and got my deposit today at 4:46 pm Arizona time
@Jay Jay not logged in: yeah last year was the first time I ever got the advance, but then said never again! TT has definitely become shady over the yearsâŠ.and the new 5-day early gimmick they came up with this year blew up in their face. Itâs been such a disasterâŠ.I feel so bad for people!
đ€ Ive had the 846 for DDD of 02/24 (20250504) for 49 plus hours. Filed TT fees from refund no sign of life at SBTPG. Anyone else depositing to Walmart One Card???? Iâm really sad. đ
I don’t know what happened to what I just commented but TurboTax should be regulated and closed down for the bs gimmicks they pull to take your money. If they can’t get a dollar from you for doing your takes. They’ll put a scam in to at least earn from it. đ
Just updated to funded on sbtpg around 9:15 pm. All fees were paid, advance repaid and the date posted says 2/26. I have credit karma and I had the fees paid with my refund. Nothing yet. I’m going to wait it out until Atleast Tuesday and hope it comes early. If not, I’m sure it’ll be there a day earlyđ€đŸ
TurboTax needs to be shut down for good. They are the worst ever. I’m never using them again and the biggest take away is. They don’t care they’ll continue to scam others.
@Honeybee82: I never do advance. I can wait for my money. But why make up bs gimmicks to make dishonest money. TT been grimey but it’s my fault for going with them. The strange thing is I didn’t have to pay to file. But opted for 5 days early. I should have just filed without it. I knew it was something behind it