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.
@Newhere: no fees.
Chatted with agent from ck she said no incoming deposit as of now and it will be Monday sometime 🙄🙄😑🤨🥹
@Blue Chyna: Mine isn’t even showing on SBTPG because they don’t have it. Irs said it was sent to Cross River. I did apply for the 5 day but like everyone else got the notice they couldn’t do it. I wish I knew where mine actually was. 🫣
@Vontane: nope, I have chime and a DDD of 2/24 and nothing, thinking maybe tomorrow if lucky…I say it every year that next time I’m not gonna have fees taken out or pay it up front but seriously next year I’m done
I hope you are having a great Saturday!
may everyone update to a date asap
@Mom@3: im waiting too
Anyone with Chime seeing deposits?? It’s really looking like some of us will be getting ours the exact date they gave us, which is honestly a joke on sbtpg end!! 😤
@Mom@3: same here fees paid got trace ck nothing yet
Has anyone with CK gotten a deposit yet?
@Jacky_FL: it won’t let me login
@sojiki: No deposit yet, filed TT fees taken from refund and CK for deposit. DD 2/24.
My deposit was deposited at 11:03 today I have Dave💚
@sojiki: I’m asking the same thing but no response yet.
@singlemomto4: nope
Has anyone using PayPal been funded yet?
Has anyone with credit karma, ddd 2/24 and fees withheld received their money??
Could anyone tell me if you have blank transcript with date as of march 3rd 3025 would mean
@Snaps: that hasn’t been true of how money moves since the early 2000s or so. Do you work for SBTPG? I’m so sick of being lied to about how out money actually works.
@Keisha: yes, if you ID verify on a Tuesday before 3:00 pm (I think) you should update that same week or at least that’s how it was last year. However, I’m not sure if it’s the same process when people verify by phone/online. I walked and ID verified in person last year too.
@Hey Katy: unfortunately IRS is not open on the weekends. Monday thru Friday only. I would call 1st thing in the morning though as you have a better chance of getting through to someone.
@DTM2025: did you have fees coming out or pay them upfront?
@Horsecharlie09 Who is “they”? TT does not receive your refund & SBTPG does not hold funds. They receive the funds allocated from the IRS to your unique identifier 1 day before 846 DD, take out what is owed (fees/advances) and send it out SAME DAY to the account listed on your return. Generally speaking when discussing NHB/TFI we are talking about that account – the one on your return.
SBTPG is ONLY for people who deducted fees from refund, OR took a refund advance, OR both. If you did not do any of those, SBTPG is irrelevant to you.
I dislike SBTPG overall and would avoid them if at all possible – however I’m thankful for my advance this year and only wish to help explain some of the craziness this year!
Not sure if this will apply to everyone having issues finding their info on sbtpg, but if you’re married and filing jointly (not sure about separately as I’ve never done that) and are not the first person listed on the return, you need to look up the info with the primary taxpayer’s social security number. I’ve never been able to look up anything on sbtpg with my own social, always my spouse’s.
Chime DDD 2/26 hit over night! Freetaxusa
@CSavvy22: how long did it take you to get it? I’ve been with my address since 2022 and received a interest document from irs at my current address
@Snaps: but at bottom of SBTPG it says they are green dot or something like that indicating that they too are NHB. So, why are they holding money? There’s no excuse. They ARE giving it to ppl early who paid upfront and didn’t opt for the 5 days early. But not to ppl who often for fees being taken from refund. I feel like ppl affiliated with these companies are coming here trying to vouch 4 them. But u can’t make sense if it! Make it make sense
@Clos: i’m with a credit union and they release mine yesterday and my day was for the 26th
@Plantmom1130: call them, file a complaint with the BBB. And don’t do business with them again as you stated
@Clos: really? Bc there are some ppl who are in fact getting it earlier and with fees taken out. It’s just a good majority have it being held. I’ve seen multiple ppl who have Wells Fargo for instance already received theirs. Also, just bc something was 1 way years ago, doesn’t mean it still operates the same way today. Regardless of what they ” can do “, I’m sure there are clauses saying they can’t do other things. Like keep money AFTER they’ve been paid!
@California girl83: Hello!
@sojiki: nope not yet
Hello again 🙋🏼♀️ Why are ppl not taking a minute anymore to create a profile that others can easily see the stats and not having to ask ask ask and explain explain explain? 😊 Make it EASY for everyone
@sojiki: no. They are holding ppls money. Call them and ask them why. I personally made a BBB complaint. Bc they have received the money, took the fees and have not distributed the money. At that point the DDD date is out the window when they have the $ and got paid. The only way this changes is by calling stating your complaints, and actually filing a complaint. Nobody else( company & banks ) are doing this!
@Disco Dan: Did you file with TT or JH? HRB ? Curious as I filed with TT and have sofi bank no fees taken out got rejected for the 5 days early and have a DD of 2/24
To those who updates everyone letting us know that they got their deposit. Can you PLZ include who you did your taxes through, if through TT, did u get the 5 day early option? And if you did it through TT, did u pay your fees upfront or out of your refund. Plz include this info as a lot of ppl are finding out that the bank affiliated with TT is holding ppls money even though they are received the refund AND take. Their fees ( they’ve been paid ) .
Thx in advance!
anyone on CK received there’s yet? TT used fees taken out,DDD 2.24 got trace number 12ish est
@Sheleking103: same. Santa Barbara website says Invalid Entry and No Account Found and I know I’m entering the correct info same I put in on wmr…. This has me concerned. My DDD is 02/24. I don’t exist according to sbtpg….. 🤷🏻♀️ I pray my money comes.
Can we speak to someone at the IRS on Saturdays??? If so is it a specific number? I just found out you can request an OBR to stop an offset if you can prove financial hardship but it has to be done before they apply the offset.
@California girl83: no problem
@Mary:
I don’t have online account guess I’ll have to do the aid me thing
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: I had to do a tax return verification this year. Never received notice. Went in person on 2/18 got ddd on 2/21 for 2/26
@Horsecharlie09: WOW…. Thank you for letting me know
@MorglDoodle Can you check your transcripts?
First time on here!
Thx for all the info… learning a lot!
Filed /accepted Feb 10
Wmr 1 bar and says still processing but noticed my tax 152 code has disappeared?
What’s up with that?
WMR updated with a 2-24 DD for me a couple days ago and this morning it was in my Truist account. Pather, no fees taken out. Good luck to those still waiting.
@Blessed2bme89: Did you have to ID verify? If so I would look for an update next week, it doesn’t them the full 9 weeks to process.
@Tired I gave up looking last night I had waited for a notification from chime didnt bother to actually go into my account. This morning I went in to check my account and my refund had posted at 5:57 last night without any kind of notification or email.
@Madinjay That date is just for the irs to either move up for more time or finish your return and send it to back to processing.
@Sheleking103: thats whats up enjoy
They need to sheesh lol
So you think once it has a trace number it’s been released 🙄 smh
Oh, and when I checked SBTPG, my information didn’t even come up. Fyi.
@OLTFREEFILER: I got mine last night with Wellsfargo DDD 2/26 with fees taken out. I paid the $25 for the 5 days early but was told they couldn’t expedite it so they refunded it.
@Big ben: I experienced this two years ago and it was a disaster because I moved and the sent it to my old address. I just woke up today and I received the same message as you. Previously, they could not provide me with any reason as to why a manual check was sent. It’s very frustrating to have to wait by the mail.
Hi guys! More good news! My DDD is 2/26. When I checked TT, it said I wouldn’t be charged for the five-day early deposit, but my refund is in my account as of this morning, five days early!!! I hope you guys with DDDs this week have it, too! As always, it’s been real and see you next year!!❤️
Wow…either treasury sent early or my bank is honoring notification. 1st time ever they deposited before date.
I guess I’m still waiting 1 week down 8 weeks to go 😭
@Dee: A number assigned to electronic payment. It allows bank to track the movement of funds.
For those waiting for money. I have a regular credit union bank and my DDD is for 26th. They never release it early no matter what. They said they follow the date the IRS DDD. Ive had SBTG years ago and they always followed the same thing. Legally they dont have to release it early. Yes it sucks but we have no control over it.
To those who have dates just be patient it’s coming. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday gonna be happy days so be calm be cool that paper coming. Then we can sit back count that money and enjoy.
@Blue Chyna: me too!!!! 😭 i was really hoping for it for the weekend.
@Kara: I’m hoping today
Hey guys, if my SBTPG shows funded and there is a trace number does that mean I should receive it today? My DDD is 02/24 but just wondering if I will receive it early lol
@Frost87: I have no idea what the problem is I also file the same every year. I don’t understand why it takes so long to issue a notice if that’s what there going to do.
What is a trace number??
@Plantmom1130: what is a trace number
How long after funded on SBTPG to expect refund using cashapp?
@mickey m: nothing about that first part but the rest of it saying that they received it and are in the process of reviewing it (for whatever reason) it’s giving me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach… I have no kids I claimed no credits and my same preparer has been doing my taxes for about 10 years now. I have a IP pin so there is no chance of fraud. It’s almost the same as every other year but I will be making an effort to contact them if I don’t get anything by the Third of March. I filed as of the 29th of January.
@Plantmom1130: same
So I’m just going to assume there won’t be any weekend deposits from chime?
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