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.
i did some digging from last years refund. sbtpg released my funds and they hit my chime 3am, turbo tax didn’t send me the “your refund is on the way” email until 5:45pm that same day i rcvd funds lol. SO it is possible not to get that email before money comes.
@If only…: Yeah, I stated that yesterday.
Hello, does anyone know if Navy Federal releases early? DDD for 2/26
@Ashl3y: I just noticed that. Like wtf. It was just working around 230 when I was in a chat. That’s crazy. They probably tired of us asking for our money 🤣🤣🤣🤣 they probably are holding the deposits. We will never know … They’ll tell us anything to shut us up
@MSRazorbackPhD: To me that’s like a post dated check,
Anyone else’s CK account saying they hit a snag when you check the spend account??? Everything else is working but as soon as I try to check my account balance it says we hit a snag I even restarted my phone. It was just working around 230 😑😑😑
@Ree: I hope so, im trying to get something I need from eBay before It is sold, im hoping to get my deposit today
@Ashl3y: even in the browser u cannot access your spend account so it’s still not working
Finally got that email from TT that everyone else been getting. On the way!!!! 😃 I’m willing to bet it’ll hit before I wake up tomorrow morning!
@If only…: I know of several people who have received their deposit and the trace number never showed up. Also, when you call them now, they tell you the funds have been sent via direct deposit to your bank. So hopefully, everyone will receive their deposit soon. : )
@If only…: It also shOws the date it’ll be DD.
@California girl83: The new setup for sbtpg sucks, its.confusing and doesn’t make sense since it is post dating but people are not getting it even though it says it’s funded. I don’t think its sent til the trace is on it. My ddd is 2/26
@hellolo: same for me just called I pray we get on 2/26🙏🏾
Just call the automotive service SBTPG show a direct deposit for 2/26 tomorrow…. Yesterday was saying something totally different.🙏🏾
@Jessica C: unfortunately they won’t put a trace on it until it’s more than 5 days after the WMR date
Sbtpg says funds was sent to bank on the 1800 number but greendot just said they haven’t received it yet! And to locate it they need the tracking number still no tracking number from sbtpg! DDD IS tomorrow and still nothing!
@Jessica C: If you have a no-hold bank you should have your deposit by now. Who is your bank?
IRS said don’t call back until Monday…
Which I don’t get bc it’s technically already late… The IRS always deposits 5 days early
@Jessica C: same boat as you!
Im still so confused on what’s happening with mine
DDD 2/26
No hold bank
Fees paid upfront
No advance, no offsets
And NO DEPOSIT!!!
I should’ve had it Friday
@MellyMoo: yes mines is saying that… did you find out anything I’m really worried! My ddd is for tmrw but if SBTPG can’t find my account what does that mean for
Me?
@Jay Jay not logged in: I’m the same
No email or anything ddd tmrw
@Calamar: I received the email.
@Calamar: TT has not sent me anything since I filed with them and my DD is tomorrow
Credit karma crashed the app yes but the browser still works fine
@Ashl3y: I got the email yesterday morning and the deposit hit this afternoon.
@Big ben: I did read that if your total withholding is over 10000 and you have a 0 tax liability it converts to a check. Would be able to let me know if you find anything out and I will do the same. I’m still researching
@Amariex3:wmr said the same thing to me that a check will be mailed by the 28. I chose direct deposit and elected to have my fees withdrawn from refund. All my direct deposit info is right because we just received our state refund. I’m still trying to figure out how the fees will be paid because this has never happened
@shelleybeanss: do you know how long after you received the “your refund is on the way” from TurboTax how long after was your deposit in your credit karma account
@SickaThisTaxIsh: appreciate you
@Calamar: me@Jenny04: it’s coming on the day off. It’s coming
@Calamar: me@Jenny04: it’s coming on the day off
@Calamar: me
@Calamar: +1 (800) 779-7228
Welp credit karma has crashed and now I can’t access my money. Grrrrr
@Calamar: have not
@SickaThisTaxIsh: ya me to and mines going to netspend and they are a NHB so idk maybe today but i know def for tomrrow
@SickaThisTaxIsh: what’s the automated number?
@Broke in IN: filed and accepted 2/14 and the only time this happened to me was 3 years ago and I received my refund on the 21st day. But something definitely is going on because there are very few people getting transcript updates.
@Calamar: call the automated system it will tell you if they sent it out to ur bank yet.
@Jenny04: I kind of think we’ll get it late late tonight or super early wee hours tomorrow morning! Either way I’m just glad it was sent and this will all be over tomorrow! 🎉
Has anyone using TT received their deposit without a confirmation email from them? From my understand they send out an email the day before and my ddd is 2/26
@Mi-Dime: just received my deposit in Michigan . Chime is chiming in. DDD 2.25.25 filed 2.3.25
Filed 2/10
Accepted 2/13
Transcripts still blank? Anybody ever have this happen?
@hellolo: same here
@Chelyn: I can’t and have been able to previous years
@Bobeatz: ya i just called also and it said the same thing to me about mine and i have a DD of 2/26/25 so who knows anymore and i dont have a tracking number either.
ddd 2/26 w/ chime. sbtpg automated system just updated to say payment was sent 2/26 for direct deposit. no trace number. that is an update since this morning. maybe we get lucky, this eased my nerves so sharing with others
@Mi-Dime: ive been checking sbtpg all day also and no tracking number at all. when i call the phone number it tells me my mount was posted on 2/26/25 to my bank and it only 2/25/25. what is going on???
@SickaThisTaxIsh: mine says the same thing & im curious too