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.
@VolsGirly: Test batches are for testing the IRS processing systems to make sure they’re ready for opening day. So, if everything runs smoothly with the system, you’ll process this week, even before the tax season officially opens.
@Sheila_33: thanks appreciate the info
@Missyan: TurboTax??
@Yahtzee: It wonāt show until itās Accepted
I filed on 1/16 it still shows pending. WMR doesnāt recognize my info when I search. Does it not show up on WMR until accepted?
@Sheila_33: what does test batches mean? I was accepted today. Which I wasnāt expecting until the 26th
Filed 1/17 and just got accepted!
I filed late night Friday the 16th, my cycle codes end in 05 so I think Iām a weekly but WMR updated today to received and TT just notified me that I was accepted. Single, no dependents, and refund 5 days early was selected. Last year I received an acceptance on the 21st, and received my refund 10 days later on the 31st. Hope this info helps someone out there. Happy filing happy new year and letās make 2026 a year for the books. Many blessings and positivity to all šš¼ā¤ļø
@VaGal07: yes so much
I wish I knew for sure really praying it would be today š sadly I saw something saying the 21-22 Iām keeping faith it will be soonš please let us know if you see anymore start to be accepted.
WMR still shows one bar. Filed the 15th accepted the 16th, wmr showed one bar since.
Hey hey hey I filed Jan 18 and just got accepted. This forum is lagging this is my second time posting and canāt find my post š š¤¦āāļø
@kitty1: And not having a wage transcript filled in is normal. Sometimes those update until later in the year.
@kitty1: You won’t see an account or return transcript until you process and it posts to the master file. No one will have an update until they process.
@ProblemAdult: If it hasn’t been accepted yet by the IRS, you can pull it and add the w2 and resubmit. Otherwise, if it doesn’t get held up during processing, you can amend after you get your refund.
Hello! I submitted my return on TT on 1/13/26 and just received another W2 I completely forgot about! What do I do?
@Rightstrivinsissy: When do we think the second batch might start up? This is a disappointing day. Lol.
my return was accepted on the 16th but i still dont have transcript info. it says 2025 wages but nothing there yet. is that normal
@VaGal07: I donāt think this is the second test batch just a delay from friday
Hi If accepted in the first round of test batches and no issues with tax.Im a daily. No path single.How soon can we see a deposit or 2nd bar with a NHB..Thanks in advance
@Idkidk12345: Congrats! I think youāre the first Iāve seen today.
Just reseceived a text my federal was accepted file Friday night with hr block
Hi everyone! No new acceptances yet today?
We are still waiting, fingers crossed for test batch over here.
I forgot to Mention Iām A WEEKLY
I just wanna put some good juju in the Discord So
1/14 Sent
TurboTax Credit Karma Advance
Filed on Wednesday Every year for the past four years in a row Filed Wednesday IRS Accepted That following Tuesday Credit Karma Advance Deposited in account minutes! Itās Coming Cousins Iāll keep yall posted
Hey Yall Sorry Iām Late Welcome back everyone Iām Glad to See a lot of My Cousins still here !!!
Back for another year. Hopefully less stressful than recent years. Good morning all
@Shae: Today is a processing day for daily returns, but unsure how early they start. Might depend on the amount of coffee they need to consume to take on this new tax year, lol.
Check out previous comments in the archives. Great way to see how the tax year played out early last year with hub testing and transcript updates:
https://igotmyrefund.com/2025-archived-discussion/
Good Morning! Good luck to those hoping for an acceptance today, including me!