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.
Ugh… SBTPG just talked to a representative she told me that won’t be releasing my refund till 2/26!! But my refund been there since 2/21!!😤
@Stephrod101: same thing it said to me and for info about a reduced refund log into the site I don’t have that
@Stephrod101: I called them also and they seem to be saying the funds have been sent already and to check with our financial institution. I thought I had read that it has to have the trace number prior to being sent, but I have seen several getting their funds with no trace number listed. It’s all a little frustrating to say the least.
@Louisiana lady: if you tried for the 5 day early then you won’t be able to check Sbtg
@Stephrod101: What date did say they were sending it out ?
I just called SBTPG and it states my payment amount and to check with my financial institution for payment availability. Seriously!? SBTPG has not even sent anything out why would I check with my bank, if you still have my money.
@Sheila_33: Hopefully, thank you! :)
@EricaChristyne: Hopefully they just get it fixed then. :)
This SBTPG waiting is insane. I am not doing this 3rd party refund anymore. First waiting for the 846 to drop and then having to wait for SBTPG to decide when it wants to release funds to us when they clearly have been funded and there is no reason for them to hold our money. On top of the that the IRS states we should receive our refund “by” the date shown NOT the day of makes it worse that SBTPG is holding. I emailed them as to why they are holding funds, I am sure I will not receive a response until after they have either released or give me a scripted email response back and we will still have to wait it out.
@Sheila_33: I received a letter, it’s telling me that I don’t have to do anything and just wait 60 days. Letter was with a date of 3/3 but I received it a while ago. LOL… Oh well. I’ll wait and see what happens. Today is the 570 date.
@LJH: I didn’t even know there was a trace number on there lol, where do I look for that?
@LJH: Yes, I’m waiting. I don’t think it will show until tomorrow. I called the Sbbt phone number and it stated that it will be sent on 2/25/25. Last year they deny it out the day before, this year they’re holding it.
@LJH: yup still waiting by ddd is 2/26
@LJH: Yep! Still waiting.
@Yaeee: who you filed with?
DD 2/25
Is anyone else still waiting for SBTPG to post trace #
This is insane
Ddd 2/26 chime just hit ! Goodluck everyone
JH filed
2/26 DDD
Republic bank Fees and advance taken out
Funded Friday said sent to bank.
Just Hit Cash App!! Finally. Cst
Why does sbtpg say no account found?
Filed with TurboTax
DDD 2/26
@Frost87: what is needed for ID verification that what the TA said I was going to get in the mail they claim it was sent out 02/21 so I don’t know how long it will take for me to get it so I’m hoping it appears on my tax account this week sometime
@wade123: Nice. Happy someone “guided” you thru the process, lol
@Freddie G: https://igotmyrefund.com/talk-to-human-at-irs/
@EricaChristyne: If it doesn’t resolve in the next week or so internally, then you may want to see if you need to amend or wait and see if a letter arrives that you can respond to and fax in the w2.
@Tigerlili_1: i understand that… But if my nhc is saying they haven’t received it and irs is saying they have sent it idk wtf to believe anymore
@Tiffffany: Yes! It comes back and goes away again. I do remember this being a thing when we were waiting to be funded in the past years…so I am sure it has something to do with an update. So here’s to hope!
Anyone else’s SBTPG still bouncing in between unknown ? I’m so confused and it’s making me worry
@Quana: ooo that would be nice!
Hey, all. So I know why I have the 570. LOL.. I missed a small W2 and wrong EIN cause Walgreens was taking so damn long. LOLOL Should I amend or will they fix that? It’s just a tiny W2 of only $19.00 which makes a $55.00 different in my income with the SSA and they would owe me $29.00. LOL.. I don’t know what to do. I hope it doesn’t take so long.
@Loganlee143: is that on SBTPG??? If so, you’ll probably be getting your money today. It did that to me last yr. It kept bouncing between funded and unknown. That’s how I knew a update was coming and then my money. Good luck 🤞🏾
@Starchild1111: H&R Block uses Pathway. I called the number and they have had the money since Friday.
It says it’s posted on my emerald card 2/25
That feels like an H & R Block issue. They have it. They took their fees. They aren’t collecting interest. The money should be there but they aren’t releasing until the day the IRS listed on the website.
JH used to post the day before at least. I’m just frustrated
@Dime: I keep checking for my amount paid to you to come back and it has yet to. I heard they have another batch going out like 4:30 so maybe its the gear up for that…hell, idk anymore yall! CDFU!
@CaseyR8515: exactly fees been paid since we’d it says on my sbgt screen same as last year I saw mine on a sat the 22nd ion know what sbgt got going on but whomever I r s hands the funds to need to get it together it’s def not our banks how are everybody’s banks the early ones holding all of a sudden that wouldn’t be using common sense nor the tax preparers it’s between irs bs and the bank rhey bank with that got our funds it’s plains rediculous my reg check hit before my tax refund it’s hella late
@pastelito: I’m in the same boat. Everything was there two hours ago but now 0.00 and can’t use transcripts or wmr site. Come on chime
Does anyone know number to speak to someone IRS
My sbtpg has been funded since Friday DDD 2/26 and now it has 0.00 and everything says unknown. Love that.
Yay my waiting game is done chime has successfully deposited all my money into my account as of 1 o’clock this afternoon. I filed with H&R Block had fees taken out and also have the path act. My money was scheduled to come Wednesday 2/28 but came earlier. Good luck to those still waiting.
Hello, I’ve been lurking all season( can’t sign in for some reason). Last time I checked my transcripts was Friday evening. Just check right now and I have a 846 for 2/27. Totally shocked me,was not expe tung anything until at least tomorrow. Filed 2/13