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.
Good morning, Good morning just got an update
Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. No further action is needed from you at this time. Few mins ago
Good morning everyone! I have decided I would like to exchange this year for a normal one. I have my receipt.
@JustWait: TT here. Accepted Tuesday and received advanced Tuesday. There were quite a few of us on Tuesday. It has nothing to do with the software used. I’ve been in test batch with TT 4 out of the last 5 years
Tis the season of sleepless nights…
@HerEvEyeaR Stop with the wishful thinking, or maybe you’re a bot. TT never submits e-file early. They put it on a queue and mass submit on opening day. Advances will likely appear on Tuesday. But Monday is very possible if you get accepted.
Hey yall! Happy new year! I filed yesterday and got accepted today. Praying we all have a smooth year 🙏🏼
Nothin happening here tonight?
Anybody have there transcript ready?
@JustWait: Not true Many have been accepted early It’s just some of the early filers like myself didn’t get accepted we were just hoping to get the advance This week that’s why we applied for it.. I know when you file early and don’t get in the test batch we will be accepted by Monday Now .. And Those 911 810 970 209 504 524 Won’t be nothing to laugh about either
@JustWait: actually that’s incorrect. I’ve have been accepted in a test batch and received my advance from TurboTax before today’s date for the past 5 years. Last year I got accepted on 1/14 and my advance on 1/17. So for me specifically this is not the norm. It is the first year they have ever held my return until opening day.
@Wouldithelp
LMAO….
“Those that are waiting for there TurboTax to get accepted so u can get the advance why not just create a new TurboTax account and refile it. And maybe that one will get accepted sooner and the other one will get rejected.”
Lmao…hell, might as well do it like 10 times…lol. Everyone knows TT holds the e-file until opening day. I don’t know why they keep asking like it’s gonna do something and get the advance before.
@Honeybee82: i agree lol transcripts my go to now i never call irs n get generic answers everytime
i noticed passed few yrs if we applied for an advance they have issues wish they stop trying new stuff right at the peak of season we dont have time to be tested lol
Will transcripts update tonight in to Friday for weeklies?
@Chris: if it’s only 200 dollars I wouldn’t worry about it your return will process and after refund just amend if you want but 200 not going to change anything so your good
@Chris: NO PROBLEM
@lakers1106: my WMR says that too this year, and I also thought it looked odd. Are you able to view your transcripts? Those are far more reliable than WMR, and you can usually tell right away when you start processing through the system – because you’ll see your ‘as of’ dates changing and things populating. When I was new to this site over a decade ago, I had no idea what a transcript was…and now it’s my Bible during tax season lol 😄