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.
@Zeethegeek979: yeah it did it again but it changed back
@Adera: From my understanding, I believe they are.
@Sheila_33: @Zeethegeek979: mine is also showing 0.00 and not changing
@wade123: Let me do some checking. I know freetaxusa will let me do an amended on mine free but unaware what the others are.
@VeronikaKnox: mine did the same then I logged out and back in and it went back to what it normally said! The refund amount to me at bottom still no trace number! I thought o had some action lbvs
*UPDATE*-Just checked SBTPG and now it has $0 under “Amount paid to you” 😭😭 does this mean that maybe they’re adding tracer #’s?? The anticipation is killing me
Tax Preparer: TurboTax
Date Filed: Jan-29
Fees: From Refund
Bank: CreditKarma
Bars: 2nd Bar
Date Accepted: Jan-29
Transcript: Online
Cycle Code: 0705
As of: Mar-10
Processing Date: Mar-3
WMR DDD: Feb-25
Refund Advance: CreditKarma
SBTPG shows funded but no trace # yet 😢 I sure hope we get pur DD tonight or tomorrow!
@bobeatz: mine did for a second, but just changed back. I almost had a heart attack lol
Filed TT DDD 2/24 denied 5 days sooner went to cross river. Just hit chime account at 12:58 CST. Hold on everyone its coming !
Tax Preparer: TurboTax
Date Filed: Jan-29
Fees: From Refund
Bank: CreditKarma
Bars: 2nd Bar
Date Accepted: Jan-29
Transcript: Online
Cycle Code: 0705
As of: Mar-10
Processing Date: Mar-3
WMR DDD: Feb-25
Refund Advance: CreditKarma
SBTPG shows funded but no trace # yet 😢 I sure hope we get pur DD tonight or tomorrow!
@Sheila_33: Hey quick question, TAS wants me to prepare an amended return. However Tax act is trying to charge me for this. Do you know site that allows you to complete a return with 1 w2 employer and 1 1099 for free. Its the 1099 that’s the issue. Everyone wants big bucks to prepare the 1099
@bobeatz: Yes I am like WTH Now!
@Missty: mine did and my fiancés so I am hoping they are updating trace numbers maybe
@Montana.NotSignedIn: SAME, actually! Last 3-4 years daily. No movement, still saying non filing with account transcript blank and saying as of 3/10 tho. I feel less worried that it’s not just me. Smh
@bobeatz: LOL!!!! Mine did let’s hope it means we are updating those tracer numbers so they can release our moneeeeyyyyyy
@Morris: did you pay fees
Please are they garnishing federal tax because of student loans this this year?
anybodys amount paid to you on SBTGT changed to 00.00 for no reason, thats still waiting a 2/26 dd
I just got my refund from Cross River
@ErisedMai: thank you
Mine finally posted to chime! DDD 2/24, TT with fees coming out and paid for the 5 days early
@BanbooPanda:
@Omega dread from Florida: Not mine.
The number says it posted 2/25, which is tomorrow. The emerald card number says my fees have been paid.
So why I don’t have my money yet is beyond me and I’m super frustrated
Any emerald card hits yet
So the IRS website states “by the 26th” Why is Sbtpg holding our money if the IRS is not stating “On” the 26th.
@Tonicmo88: yes if you don’t see those tiny numbers under your “amounts paid to you” don’t expect to see anything in your account 😩😩
@ImCASHINout🤑: what was you DDD?
They have mine but the phone number says the money has been added to my emerald card but for 2/25
Hoping it still posts today
I’m super frustrated. I used to always use JH and my refund always came a day before the DDD. I appreciate the loan amount was higher with H&R Block, got the $4k upfront, but I need the rest of my money today or I’m gonna get kicked out of my apartment. Owe the landlord some back money he wants TODAY
Really be great if they’d just release the money they already have
@Tonicmo88: that’s what I wanna know. Been funded since Friday night and still no trace number . 2/26 DDD
Deposit hit at around 12pm EST today….DDD was 2/24 through TT
Hey everyone wanted to let yaw know that my ddd was for 02/26 woke up this morning and it wasn’t there fell back to sleep woke up a few minutes ago and my money was sitting there piled up on top of each other all pretty 🤩 I have chase bank btw. Hope this helps
Anyone get their refund through Netspend with a DDD of 02/26 yet?
@Needmymoneynow: what bank? My DDD is 2/24 and I have chime and still waiting
DD is 2/26 still waiting
Filed 2/18 and got DDD 2/26. 8 days ia the quickest I have ever received and I am pretty sure I am a daily
Denied 5 days early by TT, funds sat at Cross River for nearly a week. Finally received at 12:58 today. Never ever ever again using TurboTax, and not because I got my deposit on my ddd, but because of their lack of transparency in why denials occurred, what the next steps would be, etc. for nearly a week we had no answers or conflicting answers – Cross River saying it’s on TurboTax and TT saying it’s Cross River. Nobody seemed to know their head from their arse and it was incredibly frustrating. And for those who say you didn’t read the fine print – I did, multiple times, and much of what occurred was NOT disclosed in the fine print either. Anyway – just glad it’s over.
@Tonicmo88: Yes, at least for me this has been the case.
@87 manemane: hoping mine comes soon then, DDD 2/24 waiting on chime
@Morris: ya you would think
@ImCASHINout🤑: what was you DDD?
They have mine but the phone number says the money has been added to my emerald card but for 2/25
Hoping it still posts today
I received my refund 20 minutes ago from chime. DDD 2/24. I was rejected for 5 days early. Fees taken out. Best of luck to you all.
@Sheila_33: I’ve been daily the last 3-4 years. Hoping to see movement today since I’m still stuck on 2/24 as of date. Any thoughts on being stuck as of 2/24? Still seeing verification of nonfiling
@wade123: I know, that’s why I believe an advocate is gonna be the best way to go.
Does sbtpg always show a tracer number before you see the direct deposit? Mine has been funded since Thursday so was just curious.
My niece, PATHER had a DDD of 2/24 and her WMR is still stuck on the second bar. She got her refund today already in the bank.
It finally came guys.
@mickey m: I’m not sure I am still waiting on a letter I guess, and it’s been over 15 days and it just says not processed on my irs account about them needing more information… I did speak with a live agent and showed her my documents 10:30am Central Time so, I have done the ID verification for ID me and it allowed me to log into IRS website. I have no transcripts because they have done nothing for whatever reason. I had no action required status on mine so, I’m not even sure I will get a notice😮💨
@Sheila_33: Wow this employer got me good. It’s easy enough to prove I was an employee; it’s just the hassle of it the delay it will be.
@SamfromMA: You should’ve gotten yours already since u are 2/24. Look for it to come today though.
Anyone with a DDD of 2/26 using cashapp get theirs yet?