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.
I see so many post that they have been accepted minutes after filing. It says on WMR and the IRS website it has been received. That is Bar # 1 Bar # 2 is when is being processed and Bar # 3 is when “accepted “and a DD is assigned. That is how I read it, am I wrong?
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@Sheila_33: no problem
@804VAgoodvibes: Absolutely! Thank you! When were you accepted?
@VaGal07: I’m in the same boat as you ; mines says processing but it’s normally like a week or so I think; I checked online and it says processing so hopefully we see something soon ; we are accepted and processing tho so that’s good
@Me: same hopefully something good happens!! 🤞🏽
@Honeybee82: Good to see you as always. And yea its snowing again here lol and feels like about 9 so its cold.
@Sheila_33: Actually no lol I can’t believe how it started. So strange we saw absolutely no movement on transcripts at all. I am staying positive and hoping for a quick turn around but yea your right last year was such a breeze for me lol. Have you filed yet this year?
@Stephen: Thank you for being a lot of help.
Anyone else here filing VA state and how fast did it process this year? I’ve had state before federal the last couple of years so just trying to see what the process is this year. Accepted Friday and showing in VA taxation system today, processing.
@Amanda: Yes, and it is free. I used it last year and it was actually very easy. This year I decided to have the return deposited into my cash app account and it claims you’ll get it up to 5 days quicker, we’ll see.
@Sheila_33: thank you for letting me know hope your doing good today
@Bob: cashapp does taxes? I had no idea. Wow. Do you like their setup? Is it user friendly?
Filed on Saturday, 01/24, using Turbo Tax. I’m still in a Pending status, not yet Accepted. Is this normal? I’m seeing people who filed today and accepted 20 mins later.
Thanks
@Mike: Here in MI, we got a lot of snow – but we’re mainly battling the ‘severe weather advisory’ with windchills getting 15-20 degrees below zero. I hope everyone facing these harsh winter conditions stay warm and safe! 🥶