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.
Being an 05 every year feels like always being picked last in dodgeball…
@Morris: Thank you!
@SamIAmCali signed out: is 2/16 showing as your actual DDD, or your ‘as of’ date? 2/16 is a holiday, so it’s strange how that’s the date they keep showing on our transcripts. I have 2/16, but it’s just my as of date – I have to wait for Path anyway. Even though their maintenance is done, I still don’t think they have all the kinks worked out 😵💫
Hey good people this for my newyork crew has anyone been accepted by state its been almost three weeks accepted by federal n state nothing
@Rere15: I am waiting to be accepted to get the advance. I use TurboTax every year. Usually accepted same day with in minutes
@mc559672: I can see received and processing but issued is still grayed out. Last year though at this time, I showed unable to find status until after I received my refund.
@Stephen: If you’re a weekly, you should see a transcript update tomorrow.
@Walter DOG: No, nothing yet. I’m guessing I’m either gonna be an 05 daily or a weekly. I’m fine with it though. At least as a weekly, I knew when my updates were coming lol.
I don’t have anything yet on my wages trans
And under the documents tab on my IRS account none of my w2 are showing yet and on ssa nothing showing there yet. I just wish I knew when I could see my w2 and 1099 on irs documents tab. And when they update to show documents
I even spoke to the lady that did my taxes that year and she told me they would not be sending me one I told her about the letter and she said she’s never seen them do that. I just wanna file my taxes and move on to relaxing and getting some rest but my mind want let me bc I’m fixated on doing my taxes.
@TaxTimeAgain: are you getting the “We are unable to provide your refund status online using the information you provided.” on the FTB site? It’s been over 2 weeks and it hasn’t changed for me.
Republic bank sent letter last year saying if I didn’t have loan paid back by December of last year I was going to get a 1099c well I called yesterday and was told I would not get one this year. I called 4x spoke to 4 different reps all said same. If they are going to send me one how long till it shows on my irs account under the documents tab
@Sheila_33: Hey my friend did you update overnight I know your daily now hoping you did things are wonky this year
I just wanna file my taxes I’m sick got a strep throat and running a fever side note.
Caint file yet bc I’m not 100 percent Republic bank is not sending me a 1099c for unpaid advance I called they said not this year but I got a letter last year that said I would. How long should I wait to file
@OLTFREEFILER: Same! Sometimes they are fast, sometimes they are not.
@TaxTimeAgain: We are almost identical. FWIW, the FTB site is having a brain fart at the moment. Which means something is happening behind the scenes…
Hello everyone!
Finally filed my taxes and paid fees upfront for the first time so no SBBT for me this year! Still a PATHer, so not gonna see anything until next month but it’s okay.
@WhatsTheHoldUp: mines too