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.
Good Afternoon!
I need some advice. I planned on amending my 2022 return for retirement income received but I didn’t do it by the October deadline last year. I haven’t done it yet. Will that be a problem for processing this year’s return? Should I amend 2022 first then file for this year?
I hope the government won’t shut down on Friday, we all could be delayed..
@WASTATEGIRL24: I think, Fridays. I could be wrong. I am weekly also.
@WASTATEGIRL24: updates are Friday for transcripts and Saturday for wmr
Has anyone heard of any approvals yet?
Can someone remind me what days weeklies usually process
@RefundChaser: a IP pin will not prevent you from having to id verify lol Ive had to id verify 6 out of the last 8 years and I have a IP pin. But like Shelia said it could go from that msg to a refund date try not to stress until you get a letter or a notice on your IRS account
I keep getting “maximum attempts” message on WMR despite not having been able to check since yesterday. Anyone else?
Happy tax season everyone! I hope you all had a good last year! I filed yesterday 1/26. Wanted to do the refund advance through TT but missed the option while filing, ugh! But all good! Letās walk the path (for those who do) and hope for an as smooth as possible tax refund season !
@Midwest Mama: I thinking this week sometime should see a update or deposit well thatās what Iām hoping for
@Honeybee82: I really appreciate the response! Iām in a shelter right now and could use some funds before path lifts I know itās not promised but just wanted to know because this is my first year filing in Michigan itās been a long hard year praying 2026 will be better for the fam! STAY BLESSED! Wishing money showers on EVERYONE! thanks again !
@RefundChaser: This early in the year, I wouldn’t stress too much about it. I’ve seen those “still being processed” messages update to the path message or a refund date.
Can someone please help? Filed simple return, no Path etc, on 01/21 accepted on 01/22. Used Id Protection Pin for the first time because I had to id Verify every year in the last 4 years so I believed requesting an IP Pin would avoid that. Today the usual message in the WMR “return being processed” changed to “return still being processed” . What could it be? Checked my transcripts and nothing has been populated yet.
@Confused in ohio: Same! I just checked the Ohio Dept of Taxation, and it says they have received it and to wait 1-2 days before they update my status. Last year was smooth, I agree. And maybe this year will be, too. I’m just not used to my return not being accepted immediately, this has never happened.
@Michele Brown: I’d give it a few days to post on your tax account as paid.
@Kristen: they hire seasonals in November every year. And they were doing it again this last autumn. They drop a lot of people right before seasonal hirings
I was 3 months behind on my student loans, but not in default. I paid them up yesterday. If i filed with turbo tax today, will I still get my advance. My payment hasn’t process yet is why im asking but it shows it schedule for today.
@Kristen: Since a large part of returns are done electronically, then it shouldn’t be too bad. But, manually processed returns like reviews, audits, etc., could feel the impact and be delayed longer than they usually are.
@Midwest Mama: mine was accepted 2 days after I filed but itās been processed since 1/22 and still no other update or deposit got it back in less than a week last year
Ohio STILL has not accepted my return, it’s still showing as ‘pending’ on H&R Block. It wasn’t rejected, just not accepted. Has this happened to anyone else?
So, how much is the 25-50% of IRS staff that was let go a few months ago going to interfere with taxes this year. I filed early, on the 9th, accepted 15th-one bar and the new message that I guess is replacing TT152. So far the no movement is normal for me, last year I received my DD on 1/31 long before my WMR even updated…so I’m not stressed yet (I also only have a W2, nothing else)
@@shelleybeanss: Daytona is supposed to get down to 27 Saturday night. Brrrr
Good morning, Hope everyone affected by the weather are doing well. Waiting patiently for any update. Filed 1/21 and accepted 1/22.