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.
@Broke in IN: yes. I filed 2-10, accepted 2-10 ( I have path and dependent credits)
No movement blank Transcripts until 2-21 .. Then No WMR bar movement. still 152. but the Transcripts showed on 2-21 approval for dd 2-26
The bars have now been updated as of 2-24
I’ve been able to log into SBTPG before, but this year no. No codes besides the one that counts, TT, Chime, 2/26 ddd, GA, fees through refund. Am I assuming that I am a “Cross River” victim? Oh and no email from TT
@If only…: thanks for the wine… here’s the cheese and crackers lol.. oh ok so you have it going to netspend also, cool. if you can keep me in the loop so will i @If only..
Hi I wanted to know when do the 05 cycle code update
@Jay Jay not logged in: Not that I’ve seen…. I’ve been in all day
Any cross River deposits drop yet?
That message about the refund being on it’s way is only extended to all the refunds coming from SBTPG. All the refunds at cross River will not be getting notifications that they are coming. The money will just appear. I’m still waiting on mine to appear
@Jenny04: Here’s the wine….. An nothing for me on Netspend yet…….
anybody with 2/26 DD and have ur refund going to netspend hit yet??? still waiting on mine and sbtpg said it was funed and sent to bank just nothing yet and got an email from TT saying your refund is on its way…
@If only…: that was quite strange for me because normally it always say your refund is being processed.
@babygirl: No that simply means you’re most likely a weekly processor so your transcripts will update on Friday
DDD 2/26 filed H&R Block emerald card deposit hit at 830pm check your cards 🎊🎊
For anyone else that filed with hr block with fees and the loan and are having it go to your emerald card mine just hit. Ddd is 2-26 and it’s currently 8:30 pm est. So it’s hitting the night before. Oh and the tracker they text you still hasn’t updated so don’t worry so much about stalking it like I was
@If only…: 05, but I have never seen that before. Should I be worried.
@Broke in IN: You may have been caught up in the mass path mess and not made it through, you may update transcripts on Fri
I filled 2/10 accepted 2/13 transcripts still blank? No movement on tt or wmr . Don’t seem normal to me. Anybody else in this situation?
@Tigerlili_1: Tigerliliiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!! Question about refund deposit??? I hope your the right one for this question or it might be the other sweet girl
Got the “your refund is on the way” email from TT earlier 🎉🎉🎉
@H: do you know if you’re daily or weekly?
@If only…: 16th
@CrazedinGA: I’m going to pay upfront next time. Never again will they get me with this bs they always end up pulling
@Hb: I’m right with you. Chime with DD 2/26 still haven’t came in yet
@babygirl: Do you know what your cycle code is? You’ll probably update your transcripts on Friday and most likely wmr on Saturday
@If only…: Feb 17
@Tigerlili_1: Hi Lillllliiiiiii! Im sharing wine!
@wade123: I will be verify if 2/11 they cleared me on 2/20 so I’m just waiting for my refund now
Just got my email from TT saying refund is on the way, hopefully DD comes tomorrow. DDD 2/26. TT , fees paid from refund to CK. SBTPG no trace number so far, but has been saying funded.
@Calamar: What email?
…
@Stacka: hey my ddd is the 26th and I’m with chime still waiting for funds to hit 😒
@KansasKid: oh ok thank you
@Jenny04: Nhb*