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 āqueueā 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.
Thatās 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 donāt have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your moneyās 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.
Come on chime š¤
Something wrong with CK my Socail Security check hasn’t post. Still waiting on tax refund DD 02/26
@Lalaa: Did you have the trace number?
My deposit just arrived. Had the 5 day early rejected and just received my deposit on day of.
Just got my deposit
Ddd 26th
TurboTax SBTPG with fees
Deposited into cash app at 9:34 am PST
@If only…: I am not really sure. How do I find out if I am weekly or daily?
@optivity69: Still waiting
@optivity69:
Anyone with CK from SBTG hit yet? DDD2/26
Just kidding, mine just posted
Cashapp DDD2/26 finally dropped here 30 seconds ago! No trace code on sbptg
@Melissa14572: Im sorry for you loss, did you have your fees taken from your refund?
@757VApather: did u get the email saying the money was otw? I’m also in 757 path eic, filed with tt ddd 2/26. Waiting on ck. Sbt says funded but nothing yet and the only email I got from tt was “bizarre tax facts” yesterday. Like I care?! Give me my money!!
Now I’m getting really upset with ck. I ger my spouse’s death benefits deposited to my ck account. I should of had it by now but nothing. What the hell is going on?
DDD 2/26
My direct deposit hit at 11:55am. I never got a tracking number. I canāt lie, I love this message board. It keeps me sane every year. Yāall stay patientā¦ until next year, peace and blessings!
Almost 9:30 am
2/26ddd Trace number as of 10pm last night
First email yesterday morning
No deposit. No update on TT. Order details still says pending. Chase bank
@If only…: yeah I think so
@757VApather YAY and thank you for sticking around, because I am no help with SBTPG
@757VApather: Did u have the trace number, I forget and am lazy
Mines just hit!! It posted as I was on hold with SBTPG!! Thanks guys I will stick around to answer some questions
DD IS TODAY. It’s almost noon in Texas and nothing yet. I filed in mid January and paid extra and still waiting.
@JustAmy: Did you have the tracing number?
Hey kids! B of A has hit! Yes ddd for today and yes it was through sbtpg, yes I had fees taken out! Stay positive friends, it is coming.
@Christina032: Oh. Mine hasnāt updated to that. Itās still the original one thatās says filed, accepted, refund estimated date.
@Hellolo: yes but late yesterday evening.
@Overstressed: did u ever have a trace number ?
Just received my deposit @ 11:40 today. 2/26 DD. fees from refund sbt and credit union.
@Mary: thank you for that! Saw everyone fighting and was like ??? I couldnāt even find actual updates about what Iām here for because of all the stupid comments. Iām donating to this site once mine hits now just for that lol.
@Mary: This year is soo out of the norm with them its driving me crazy I have ddd today, but no info at all. And im just hoping it comes in today, I got the tt email mid afternoon yesterday but that’s usually pointless
Iām on hold
With sbtpg Iāve been on hold for 52 mins ; Iām gonna update as soon as I hear anything !
@If only I wish I have always paid my fees up front so I never had any dealings with them.
@Bishwhett: Same here
Sbtg can just go straight to hell ššššno trace , no deposit no nothing š„“
@Mary: thank you
@Mary: Hey Mary plz tell me you have insight into this sbtpg nightmareš
I can do more than that if necessary
@Hellolo You are welcome
somebody removed the negative comments, thank you igmr angel lol
@Lawanda Dumore: yea I see ; and this is how you make the system without having to tear others down !
Thank you ; yea I think Iām gonna pay upfront next year definitely
I wish my fee was only $39…… Dang I want my refund
@hellolo: The ft tracker is just an estimate it has no real exact info
@California girl83: nice!!! Congrats!! So
Much inconsistency this year ! Iām glad you got urs!!
@Christina032: mine still says “IRS Refund est. 02/17/25”. But I did get the TT email yesterday saying refund is on its way and it should be deposited today. My tracker has not updated.
@California girl83: That’s awesome!
@California girl83: same been on hold for at least 30 minutes already
Well praise God!!! My ddd for 2/26 without no trace number on SBTPG. Was on the phone on hold for an hour to cuss someone out! Just hit my account on my Brink card now!! So if you don’t have trace number I guess don’t worry it’s coming either way!šš¾
@VaGal07: so if you look at the refund bar that tells you the status, there should be 3 dots along that bar. Itās a tracker almost like on WMR. Well it now is updated to refund received
DDD 2/26
Turbo Tax
Opted 5 day early but got denied
I finally received my email from TT stating my refund is on its way. Does anyone know how long before I see deposit..thanks in advanceāŗļø
@shelleybeanss: Hi this is crazy but still better than last years nightmare hope i get it today good luck Shell
@Stephrod101: We received the letter from Turbotax yesterday afternoon. Our refund has shown funded on SBTPG since early Friday morning. No trace number as of yet. When we call them, it says it has been sent to our bank via direct deposit. We did not have an advance or five day early payment. We did have the fees for filing taken from our refund. Our DDD is today, 02/26/2025. Hoping we all have our refunds really soon. : )