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.
Lol , I’ve been working for Turbo tax 5 years and been coming to this sight for about 8!!! And when I tell you, those calls yesterday geesshh. Everyone wanted to know where their direct deposit was. 🥴🥴🥴
SBTPG and Green Dot both suck! I got Green dot and DDD for 2/26 and not a d*** penny in my account… I got a trace number yesterday around 8ish pm.. I don’t even care anymore about these stupid a** tax refunds .
Stuff like this crap ruins it.. they killed the entire vibe for people this year..
@757VApather: today is my DDD . Supposed to go to CK card
@Horsecharlie09: what’s your DDD?
@Quana: nothing has changed. Like I said SBTPG is actually green dot. If you want to see what’s going on with the company go to the better Business bureau website and pull them up and you will see exactly what’s happening. They’ve been taking people’s money and the government is all over them. I have never ever ever in my life ever seen a company have as many complaints as they do and a government have out as many alerts as they do on this business. It’s BAD
@Azkpz2005: 2/26
@757VApather: wonder why I don’t have 1
@Azkpz2005: same here but I filed different date
@2blessed 2: when was your ddd?
@Azkpz2005: I was accepted 2/8 with dad of 2/26 tt refund advance and fees from return… as of now zero balance in my ck account!
@California girl83: I have insider and it turns out TT GOT THE DEPOSITS 2/21 AND SBTPG got them 2/25! They all lie and play! we the fools falling for it! I say lawsuits!
Cashapp hit at 4:00am. 2blessed
@Horsecharlie09: yup. I’ve been following a group on Facebook and there’s a lot of ppl still waiting from two days ago. Ugh. I feel bad. I’m mad because mine comes early in the morning and the day of. It’s been like that for a few yrs… Idk what’s changed this yr. It’s annoying
@Horsecharlie09: I have a trace number just no deposit yet
@Quana: I didn’t even look to see if I have a trace number since Saturday. Monday morning I saw ppl with 2/24 DDD on here at 330 am stating they got their on their CK card. So now I guess I need to look. Yo I’m about to flip out.
@Quana: WHAT? R u serious? If that’s the truth u better believe I’m going the f off! I’m reporting them TO every agency out there! You do know what’s gonna happen next right? They are gonna blame another business for what’s happening
@Jennyb: this is wild. We’ll prob be waiting until this evening. Idk what’s goin on with this mess this yr but they really have been playing with ppl and their money. I’ve seen ppl with a DDD 2/24 and still no money from ck, chime etc. that’s wild
Any deposits from credit karma with 2/26 DDD and no trace number???
@Quana: I have CK and woke up to no money in my account. My DDD is also 2/26 . Not cool.
@757VApather: We can’t even have peace in the income tax chat. You can’t help but to take the buffoonery with you everywhere you go on this planet.
Navy Fed dropped ..DDD 2/26
DDD 2/26 still no trace number.
Hnr block advance and fees taken out just hit my emerald card. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 2/26 date
The trace number can be found on sbtpg under the bold word where it says “METHOD” scroll over and you should see it under your direct deposit last four of account number(example)-CHECKING
*9999
Trace #:************999
Just a reference for people wondering because I kept asking where to find it; so this is a detailed description o. How to find the trace number
DDD 2/26. Ck, fees taken out and advance… Received my email that funds are on the way as of yesterday @ 118pm. Still no trace number and still no deposit. Last yr I got it around 330am on dd. Ugh. Back to bed I go
@CorieS: mines also say direct deposit date 2/26 since last Friday still haven’t received anything yet
@S. Carter: similar here, filled 2/10 accepted2/13 blank transcripts, tt152 message on wmr.
@S. Carter: no clue I’m in the same boat hopefully I will update today
@California girl83: I didn’t have one five minutes ago & now I do. DDD is 2/26. It literally just popped up
Filed & Accepted 02/08 w/ TURBOTAX
no path no EIC
1 BAR
Blank transcripts saying no refund filed. Any idea what’s going on?
@JimmyPAG: did you ever have a trace number at sbbt? I got a letter from TurboTax earlier in the evening that my refund was on the way but I still don’t have a trace number
What does mean when don’t have trace number yet?? But my dad is for 2/26…. SBTPG is sure holding out this year!
DDD 2/26
Paid fees upfront, going to a no hold bank (Providers card / Sutton Bank)
No advance, no offsets
All my past experiences with this card tell me there’s no way it’ll be here tomorrow but I don’t want to keep that negativity…IRS always sends it early to make sure it’s there in plenty of time soooo ughh
@If only…: my fingers are crossed you have it first thing in the morning! Congratulations on your business 🥂
@If only…: ok girl. get some sleep. ya i hope so to but doubtful right now. ill let u know if the grace of god hits me… goodnight
@Jenny04: Well im gonna try to sleep, hopefully in the morning well have money
@If only…: nothing here also :/
Just got my DD. Wasn’t expecting it till tomorrow. Filed with TT with fees taken from refund, my DDD was 2/26/25 so I got it one day early. Received notification from credit karma about 5 minutes ago that I received my federal refund. Eastern time zone. Located in southwest Michigan.
@Graciousgambino: Congrats, just checked mine and still no go
Just updated to trace number on sptbg! And the church say AMEN!! ‼️
Still don’t have a trace number 😕
@Jenny04: Still no trace here
Just check sbtpg and I got a trace number my ddd is 2/26 hopefully I wake up to my fund in my account
@Nobodyputsbabyinthecorner: i got my email from TT hours ago about my deposit but no trace number on sbtpg but its been funded to my account it says with a post date of 2/26 so idk whats going on with sbtpg but I need my money now.. JD wentworth lol ;) 977cashnowlol
@Nobodyputsbabyinthecorner: that’s awesome
Hey guys, just wanted to provide an update. I just got my TT email about my refund being deposited and then I just received my trace number from SBTPG! So hopefully by morning, I should see my deposit in my bank!! Till next year, I will not be using TurboTax or Santa Barbara. None of these shits next year.!
@Duncana9393: Yes. I found my answer. search CROSS RIVER in the tool at the top of this website. IGMR has plenty on it. Apparently most Chime and cashapp DD who were denied the 5 day early went through cross River, not SBTPG. I have Chime and I’m not found at TPG, they don’t have my SS on file there
@LadyVA: Thanks, I hope its much simpler for you
@If only…: hopefully it will update overnight 🙏🏽
@Loganlee143: I know, I usually have it before now and Im in the process of buying equipment for my home business and I was given a once in a lifetime type deal but Im not guaranteed it until I pay….. And tpg is being difficult this year
finally got a trace number on sbtpg