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.
@Sheila_33: wow! Has she received any correspondence of any kind?!
I filed 2/14 and no movement yet. I still have a non-filing form sitting there, still on one bar with TT 152, but have a blank account transcript with as of of 3/10. I was a daily for past 3-4 years.
Can anyone verify if after receiving an 810 TC, you updated with that following mass update on transcript? Filed 1/25, accept 1/27, received 12C letter2/11, responded through online tool 2/11 with required docs, was pushed back into processing 2/13, transcripts updated with 810 code dated 2/11, as of 3/10 from 3/3, on 2/21. No cycle code, no numbers, just 810 code and as of date thus far. Anyone know what’s to be expected?
@Derek222: im with you. I will never use it fees out of refund again. I woulda had my refund 5 days ago if I paid outta pocket like I always do. I just didn’t feel like grabbing my dang card this time. Sbptg I think are crooks. I feel like they hold our money like this to make interest off all the money they hold. And plus the 40 dollar fee is insane. Free tax or pay for it is the way. I’m due mine today as well and mine has been funded from the santa Barbra bank since the 20th.
@Sheila_33: YES IT IS VERY WEIRD ; sbtpg is very weird today it’s no
Consistency or patterns everything is everywhere!
Look at your processing date. That’s when you should receive your refunds.
@Shellysgirl1968: My daughter hasn’t seen any movement either. Filed and accepted the end of January, and not even a 2024 transcript since then.
Filed & accepted 1-27
Pather
Fees from refund
Tax topic 203(debt owed)[offset]
DDD 2-26
HnR Block- no advance-fee from taxes
I received my refund 2-24 @ 430pm est to my Chime Card.
I receive my refund 2 days before my DDD every year.
I hope this helped some people.
@757VApather: My insight would be that this is one heck of a crazy year for deposits. I’ve never seen it like this to be honest.
No updates on transcripts for me, wondering what is happening
No updates on transcripts for me
Still no trace number from sbtg yet. Hopefully they update soon. 02/25/2025 Discover Checking account.
@sheila_33 do you have any insight or have you seen this type of pattern ? It’s people with 2/25 that have zero trace number or DIRECT DEPOSIT; but then I’m seeing people from 2/26 saying they got theirs it weird this year?!!
@Montana.NotSignedIn: same here, blank transcripts with only as of date 3/10, what is going on this year
@Coldinpanot logged in: It’s been a crazy year lol
@Never again!: yes I’m sorry for y’all I
Hope this doesn’t happen to me tomorrow; that’s very weird !!
@Cee: me too….this is crazy…I have never went thru this. Ddd 2/25 and no trace # is insane
@Sheila_33: yep, 0901!
@Cee: yea it’s very weird because I see some people with 2/26 saying they got theirs ; sbtpg is acting weird reallly weird
@Ms.Hooks: I’m 2/26 as well but I haven’t gotten anything; I have a NHB; I don’t understand these patterns some people have gotten theirs and some
People haven’t ; it’s some people with 2/26 that got paid before 2/25 very weird year!!
@Coldinpanot logged in: My guess is yoi processed Friday. What’s the cycle code? 01? And congratulations! :)
@Christina032: same for me. And I get everything early with CK
I have a question. For anyone who had the 5 day early option and was rejected through tt with cross river bank, and have received their deposit already, did you get an email the day before your deposit date to let you know that your deposit will be available the next day? So far I have had no communication from tt and my ddd is 2/26. I don’t have the option to see anything either like I would have with sbtpg.
Still no movement on transcripts. Filed/accepted 2/2. Same with 4 family members. As of date is 2/24/25. Still verification of nonfiling letters. No notices or anything.
@Sheila_33: good morning! I had a question, I checked my transcript Friday aronlund 3pm. I didn’t even have enough a transcript for 2024 still. Checked again yesterday, had filled transcript with 846 2/27. Also checked wmr right after, showed refund approved 2/27. When on earth did I update??! Late Friday? Sat, sun? It’s killing me not knowing lol.
Filed 1/27
Accepted 1/27
DDD 2/26
Filed with taxact, bank with Chime. Received text last Thursday my refund was sent to my bank. DD into my bank acct Monday @6pm. Fees paid with refund. Good luck everyone see you next year.
No updates for people processing anywhere! Must have cut the funds to pay the electric bill to process the returns this week
Ddd 2/25 (today), still no trace number for sbtpg….hoping it updates later
@Kikiio: yes mine is the exact same way, DD for 2-25 on CK but still nothing says funded but no trace code.
@The watcher2020: @Kikiio: SAME still haven’t received anything. I have Chime too
@Kikiio:
I’m so confused. Anyone else with a DD for today and money still not in their CK? I got a trace last night and all and still no money deposited.
I received my DDD at 4:21 a.m., I use Chase.
Good morning everyone. For those seeing their refunds deposited, congratulations. For those waiting on their refunds to process, are you seeing any transcript updates this morning?
@Alizay4455: do you have a trace number
Cashapp hit at 3:33 central time for me with fees, advance, etc… Here for any questions?
Filed 2/10
Accepted 2/13
Transcripts still blank? Am I cooked?
Ddd was 26 got mine 24th at 5:00 pm good luck