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.
Congratulations to those who saw some deposit dates! Today is your day weeklies for processing! Good luck!
DD 3/5 see you next year.
@Alliecatt: maybe try irs.gov/verifyreturn. Was able to verify through this system this year. Also call Tax Advocate line and express hardship to retain a tax advocate, which is option 1
@Alliecatt: create an irs profile
I’m still waiting on my freaking ID verify letter! Blank transcripts, 1 bar. But my account says to verify. I’ve requested a new letter and it still isn’t here.
What the heck can I do? Anyone in my boat?? I filed like jan 20
Hey folks, I didn’t realize I had marketplace insurance so when I filed it accepted but irs sent a notice asking for form 8962 and the 1095a. I faxed it last Monday 2/17. Can someone please tell me how long it takes them to process it after receiving the paperwork?
Updated DDD on transcript 03/04…
Good luck Everyone, now the waiting game for the no hold banks, CHIME/VENMO..
CYCLE CODE 20250904
@SlimmmNOTshady: filed 2/10 accepted 2/13 my transcripts are still blank, never seen this before
@Blessed2bme89: probably will update Friday maybe even tonight or tomorrow. I verified for my grandfather last year and his came the next week on the weekly updates.
@SlimmmNOTshady: what time zone are you in.. I’m Ga est zone it’s 10:32pm here.
@Junior85: that is good to hear.
. Thank u for ur response. Its always good to get info from somebody that has been through it before… im hoping this year its a similar time frame
Filed 2/15 accepted 2/15 transcripts just updated with DDD 3/4
TT-Filed n accepted 2/12 w Path EITC
Approved 2/23 with DDD 2/27
Denied 5 day no TT email yet
Cashapp
@RaiderBoss: I know your question wasn’t directed at me but last year I got my refund about 9 days after verification
@RaiderBoss: I verified on 2/11 closed case 2/20 n hoping I update Friday I’m a cycle 05 always been
@RaiderBoss: 1 week
@Chrisc: how long did it take to get ur refund after verifying last year?
@RaiderBoss: Wow. exact same as me. Hopefully we update by tomorrow night. I had to verify last year too and was a cycle code 04
@Chrisc: i verified Feb. 20th too.. i filed 1-15 accepted 1-17
I’ve been seeing that this year has been wonky. I’m a PATHer, filed 2/16, paid fees upfront. Schedule C. No movement, no populated transcripts so far. As of date 3/10. Was weekly then changed to daily last year. Check my SSA twice a day for update to my actual claimed income because that’s usually a more accurate indicator of processing from my experience. Nothing there yet, either. Just checking in and saying hey.
@RaiderBoss: I’m in the same boat verified 2/20
Has anyone that had to verify this year received their refund yet. Irs says it could take up to 9 weeks to get refund.. my transcripts changed from as of Feb.17 to march 3 the day i verified
@Falysha Lynn: This early in the year, I’ve seen em process in about 6 weeks. Hopefully, you’ll see an update in the next week or two. :)
When would I see an update on a paper return mailed in 4 weeks ago today any help please
@Htown2025: It can take a few weeks sometimes. I sent info in my daughter 2 weeks ago and still waiting for an update.
THANK YOU!! Finally CK hit! cst.
Wow! CK/ TT /SBTG really did what ever it is they wanted to do this year! That is scary! From the advance to 6 days early. To holding DDs. I’m
@MSRazorbackPhD: I got mine earlier
Made my deposit to the page. <3 Thanks for all that y’all do. Couldn’t do tax season without you guys. Been here every tax season for 4 years and I’ll be here until I’m no longer so poor that taxes mean so much to me lol.
CK finally deposited my refund at around 3:15pm mst so I think it’s coming in batches
Wonder how late Sbtpg sends deposits or CK posts them? It 4:30pm cst and still nothing from CK. Every time my phone chimes I jump… lol
@Mary: ok thank you
@Stephrod101: NJ
Mine just hit. DDD 2-26 CK with Advance. Good luck everyone.
Mine just hit!! DDD 2/26 ck fees and advance paid with refund. Keep the faith everyone!!
My son received his DD a few mins ago he had TT fees taken out so SBTPG sent it directly to his bank. Still nothing for me for CK. I do not understand their deposit process sequence or how they are sending it out in batches. Maybe it is going by the trace numbers. I will not use CK again. We are cst.
@ImMoody: i didn’t pay for the five days early but needed the advance and i wish i hadn’t needed the money so bad at the time otherwise i wouldn’t have gone through ck. i would have had my money by now if i’d just had it deposited directly to my bank account.
Well on the IRS website it shows my deposit date was supposed to be today it’s after 3:30 and I still have not received my money yet through credit karma I haven’t got an email and I paid extra so that I would get it quicker and filed it the very first day you were allowed to do e-filing. What a rip off I’m not happy at all
@RobynABA: same!
did they verify it over the phone with all those questions????
@Vin310: Ok!
@Quana: Where are you located?
3:37pm est CK deposit hit. DDD 2/26… Trace number after 1pm today and email for funds to be deposited was received yesterday @ 118pm est. Advance and fees taken out of refund!!!🥳🥳🥳
@Big ben it won’t go out until then fridays are the days they cut checks, but look for on tues or weds
@MSRazorbackPhD: Thanks I’ll do that next time, I used apple pay and was able to transfer.
@Mandie: No only 3-5 business days transfers smh, It may work now.
I just got it hang in there yall. I had advance which came early like on the 22cnd which was crazy! Fees out of refund and used CK. They were slow with federal but I got my Georgia tax refund yesterday at 12:30am. Today is deposit day. I guess they’re not technically late!
@Ashl3y: Not an email but seen on sbtpg site.
@Vin310: Use PayPal, which is cheaper, imho
Hey y’all wanted to see if anyone that filed has gotten a paper check yet? I’m currently waiting on one. Says it’s scheduled to mail out on the 28 according to wmr but kinda hoping it’s mails before then
@Mandie: I hope it is just a glitch or something because I pay bills out of my regular bank account. Ugh!
@John2136: same and I had to verify…they said I would get a letter…but a guy I talked to sat asked me all kinda questions…stuff like they would for a credit check and about last years refund and how much earnings was for this year…but that was Friday and then we did the Id me verification on Sat and had to do video chat with them and then called today and was told we would need to verify and would get letter…they have 20 days to send it and it was sent the 10th so they said lol who knows
@Brokar4life: Where are you located?
@Vin310: so they won’t even allow instant withdrawals even if you pay a %?
I just got it guys. I saw it in my email! Ahhh thank you all for being a part of this ride. I started crying and busted out some pork and beans. After I put in in the microwave I glanced at my phone and boom! Omg
@Ashl3y: Good News we disbursed your funds Via ACH DD on 02/25/2025 along with the trace number.
@Chelynn: can someone please tell me what the trace email would say never heard of it before
Filed 2/3 and no movement with blank transcripts
For some odd reason now CK inst allowing instant transfers only 3-5 Business day withdraws lol these people are greedy
Just got my deposit at 3:13 ck advance and fees taken out of refund. 0605 weekly. Got my email at 8:11 last night and my trace number just before midnight. Filed with tt
Accepted by the IRS 1-27-25
DDD: 2/26/25
Turbo Tax, Credit Karma
took the advance, No Fees
Received an update on Friday 9:30pm 2/21/25 on SBTPG that my account was funded and advanced was paid back.
2/25/25 9pm finally received a trace number, but no email from turbo tax
2/26/25 @ 1:20pm (Nashville Time) Deposit Hit Credit Karma account
No more Turbo Tax after this year
Hope this helps
@Brokar4life: I’m right there with you. Hopefully we’re part of the next round.
I just received an email from Sbtpg says Good News we disbursed your funds Via ACH DD on 02/25/2025 along with the trace number. My DDD is today so apparently they sent it yesterday but my trace number did not show until late this morning and still no DD showing on CK. This is the worst experience I have had with any tax refund 1st and last time going thru TT with Sbtpg.
Email from TT and trace number on sbtpg site all yester- evening. Still nothing deposited into CK
@Htown2025 About 3 weeks
Ck deposit hit 10 minutes ago. Happy tax year
@Brokar4life: I’m still waiting too!
This is do annoying
Got a trace number on SBTPG…. don’t know when, but its there…. Everyone just hang in there and stay calm. Don’t read anymore of the NEGATIVE COMMENTS, keep positive thoughts ✨️🫶🏾🗣
I was supposed to get a deposit today but still nothing. Should I be worried?
@Jennyb: congrats! maybe they’re just very slowly rolling out. I just checked and have nothing yet. Hope it’s soon!
hello I’m also waiting on chime, where do you get a trace number?
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