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.
How do you know when you get a trace number. I noticed I got one but dont know when I got it. Got email yesterday evening refund on it ways be deposited next business day. Fees have been taken out and funds have been sent according to sbtpg.
chime just hit 2 hrs after getting trace# my ddd was today. yay!
@Vonniepooh: if you used turbo tax and had fees taken out u can find on sbtpg website
@hellolo: hello I’m also waiting on chime, where do you get a trace number?
Good afternoon, I needed to fax in a 8962 and 1095, does anyone know how long do they take to process it?
@Nobodyputsbabyinthecorner: never got a trace number does it come in a separate email never even looked for one until now what should I search for I filed through turbo tax
Still waiting for CK
Deposit just hit. CK! Finally.
CK just hit 2/26DDD Fees taken out tracing number late last night
@Ashl3y: Right!
Got my deposit about 45 min ago! CK!
Hopefully I’m next so I can join the oarrty
I’m still waiting. Got my email and trace number last night. Come on ck.
Tax Preparer:Turbo Tax
Date Filed:Jan-22
Fees:From Refund
Bank:US bank
Bars: 2nd bar
Date Accepted:Jan-22
Transcript:Online
Cycle Code:20250605
Cycle:Weekly
As of:Feb-24
Ddd of 2/26
No email from TT
Just got my deposit 10 minutes ago and got my trace number sometime yesterday evening
I Got My Refund!
@If only…: Got my deposit!!!! check yours cause it could be and i also got my trace number right after you said you got urs and not even 15 mins after i checked about my trace it hit my account with netspend….
I filed on 2/23 TT EIC and child tax credit. I got the 5 day early option. WMR still on accepted, but I just got an email from TT that my deposit will hit by EOD today. Has anyone seen this
got my trace an hour ago still waiting on chime
This was a strange year but I hope everyone has received their refund by now. Congratulations!!! Hoping to see everyone in 2026.
Just got my CK DD. DDD 2/26, TT with fees.
@Denise N: I love my Netspend its quick release and is great on notifications and many other things
Lol spoke too soon deposit just hit thank the lord!!
I’m back yall CK JUST HIT . 0506 2/26 ddd didn’t receive a trace number until 45 mins ago . Now I just got notification money is in CK account . Happy tax season see yall next year
CK with advance thru TT DDD 2/26 Deposit just hit
Trace number since 10:30 last night ddd 2/26 still nothing yet
@Shanshan: not for me ddd 2/26
@Denise N: honestly I really love chime. They never fail me!
As I come to my conclusion, I’m leaving TurboTax this year and which bank do y’all think is best who had the first deposits?
FreeTaxUSA
PAYPAL
DDD 2/26; got trace number about an hour ago and it just hit account!
Chime just hit
0605 ddd 2/26 CK finally got a trace number . I’ll let yall know when refund hit
CK just hit. DDD 2/26. Fees and TT advance. Trace number since last night.
@Shanshan: not me yet this is crazy
@Shanshan: A couple have that I’ve seen
Has ck had any deposit today??
All my fellow DDD 2/26s getting deposits and Im just sitting here like dayumm what about me lol.
I got TT email at 7:30 EST yesterday and TRACE at 11pm yesterday and still nothing in my bank account :(
Im so happy yall are getting it…
I’m not getting mine any time soon. I paid fees upfront. No offsets no advances
Going to my no hold card that I get govt checks on … Should’ve been in my account on Friday… Today is my DDD and I know it’s not coming.
Irs is forcing me to wait until next week to trace it
Trace number finally as of 1:12pm EST. Email yesterday @ 118pm about my refund being in the way. Hopefully it’s by 5pm 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾
@If only…: great!! I wish I did… not me yet… hope I do soon
@If only…: Thanks fam!
@StuckinNC: https://taxpayer.sbtpg.com/login enter in your info, scroll down to where it says amount paid to you. If you have a trace number, it will be listed under where it says “Checking *1234” (or whatever the last four of your bank account number is)
Boom baby it’s just hit!
@Chelynn: yes
Netspend- Bancorp I just got my dd!
@Mandie: yeah same here. I got my email and trace number yesterday and still nothing in ck
@StuckinNC: Here’s the website https://taxpayer.sbtpg.com/login
@If only…: yes I did. I don’t know exactly when it populated because I wasn’t looking for it last night. I just noticed it was there this morning.
@Melissa14572: I just got my Social Security waiting on tax refund
I got my trace number yesterday but nothing yet on CK 🙃
How u do u login to SBTPG, to check for trace # and see if fees paid. Sorry in advance new here.
just got my trace# yay!! i have chime ddd 2/26.