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.
This whole not receiving a trace number is bothering me so bad! I wouldn’t be so aggravated if I had a trace #. I did receive the email that it was on the way yesterday but why is it that some ppl got the trace and some didn’t? TT & CK…I’m through with you!
@Thomas1: Transcripts batches I think are Wed and Friday
@Guest4th year here: I didn’t get the trace number yet, I have Netspend so no hold her this is frustrating
@Mommy529: my trace number appeared midday yesterday and my deposit arrived a few hours later. It probably depends on when your bank normally processes deposits. Whether it’s throughout the day or a specific time
@If only…: same here i got email at 3:52 pm yesterday nothing yet i show tracking number since last night that it was sent called my credit union they don’t see it yet.
@calm down people: some people are in desperate need, especially with the economy rapidly failing right now. And quite frankly, it doesn’t concern you if anyone is stressing. This a judgment free place for people to vent, ask questions and just find information. So maybe be more respectful and understanding. If not then maybe just sit back and be quiet
When is the next batch update? I know usually I thought it was Wednesdays and Sundays.
@Nicole0121$: i got that email yesterday and still no refund
@Christina032: same
@If only…: me either and on hold. probably wont reach anyone but who knows…
JUST IN: email‼️
Your federal refund is on the way! You’ll see it in your account by the end of the day tomorrow.
@Christina032: @Nicole0121$: I got the email yesterday and im still waiting on mine
Well, I just got the email from TurboTax saying that your refund is on its way so we’ll see how long it takes to hit Varo
Ok so guys, there is definitely movement. I had my status change to pending on tt, but now I just got my email that my refund is on the way, and my status on tt now shows refund received. Hopefully it’s deposited soon. Will continue to update.
@Jenny04: Let us know what they say, I still have no trace
GA state finally updated last night with add of 2/27 but the State amount doesn’t load in SBTPG Not bothering to call CK or SBTPG because the reps don’t know much more than we know. I turned on notifications for CK app so I’ll know when it hits. This year has been a waiting game for sure. I know they don’t HAVE to release anything early, but this year has been a tax gimmick like no other. Going back to a spring cleaning my house. I’ll post when I receive my dd.
Filled with TT on 1/29 with fees taken out. 0605 Weekly Pather. Deposit to CK as I thought they had an early 2 day deposit. Email from TT last night saying the refund was on the way. No trace number until about 2AM. TT tracker still shows IRS refund 2/17 with an empty green bubble. Transcripts DDD 2/26 and nothing pending in CK bank.
Also, I forgot to mention, that same day I noticed that other banks were depositing funds around the same time. So for those that have a deposit date, it will come that day. Just trying to help those that may be worried.
@Kimber: I’m holding your hand.
I filed 2/14, accepted 2/14. Paid fees upfront. Still no movement on WMR or transcripts. Still saying non-file. I’ve been daily for past few years.
@If only…: me…. i’m done with them holding my money… its crazy stuff
Y’all get on this site and start freaking out about your refund like its not coming. You have a deposit date, just sit back and wait. Its really crazy how everyone is flooding this site over ABSOLUTELY nothing. Some people have/had legit questions that cant be answered because the site is flooded with the nonsense. IF YOU HAVE A DDD SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR IT TO BE DEPOSITED. CALM DOWN PEOPLE, DANG ITS COMING. And I dont care who comes for me either. Just speaking my mind
Looking at comments I have a trace number my ddd is today 2/26 but no dd hit yet. Wth is going on my state hit the morning of the ddd
@If only…: me calling now!😤
Hi Everyone! For those still waiting and your ddd is today, Cross River bank deposits at noon. I was in the same situation 2 days ago and freaked out when I didn’t have my deposit early morning. I waited for hours and it came at noon.
Does Chase post through out the day?
So who’s called sbtpg already this much morning?
My state and taxes refund are both there at SBTPG… I have a direct deposit for today 2/26 I have nothing no trace number 😕 WFT is going on!!
@Nicole0121$: tell us what cross River says to you
@Melissa14572: yesterday seemed like everyone was getting them around noon. But then come through all day.
Hello what does the trace number do?
. I use ck. No trace number and no deposit. It was supposed to be deposited today. I’m freaking out. Anyone have any insite?
I have a DDD for today. I use ck. No trace number and no deposit. I’m freaking out. Anyone have any insite?
Filed with tt accepted 1.24 … No advance paid fees from refund requested 5 days early but denied .. cycle 0605 DDD 2.26 cash app … I don’t have my deposit yet but my mother and someone else I know that’s on disability and uses cash app every month they get they check anytime between 12 and 1 so I’m hoping will be around then
Good morning fellow taxpayers! For everyone sitting on pins and needles with me just waiting for that deposit to hit, I just checked with my bank and thus far they have not received anything from sbtpg yet but they have also not rejected anything either. The person I spoke with did say that just because it doesn’t show pending right now doesn’t mean they don’t have it at all and it’s likely still pending processing. She confirmed that they do process deposits all day but they usually only post early morning, afternoon, and overnight so it could still show up today but not likely until tomorrow. PS. This is with Bank of America in case anyone else in in the B of A boat with me
Yall I still haven’t received my DD from Chime. Last year, it came before the issue date by like a day or so….I’m still waiting and it’s driving me bonkers
Who have varo 2/26 that got DD ?
I haven’t receive nothing yet.
@TFaulks: No 5 days early or advance. Fees taken from refund. Nhb cashapp. Got trace numbers yesterday and dd this morning at 4am.
@Kara516: my ddd was for today. 2/26 cashapp
@Patrice: I have 2/26 also and netspend and nothing… idk what’s going on..
@Jay Jay: mine says pending now after it said approved
Well it is 2/26 my ddd and I use Varo in the past years it comes around 5 pm the day before but I get off work this morning and bam no refund money in my account so I called TT and she informed me that it is still early I said when you are scheduled to get paid on a certain day don’t you wake up with your money in the account if you don’t have a NHB after much going back n forth she gave me the number to cross river bank so I’m about to call I’m frustrated with them I will be using free tax USA from here on have a good day hope everyone sees deposits soon