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.
@Mike: thank you
There needs to be more discussion on state refunds , for the sake of us PATHers. Who all got state already , mine said sent 2 days ago (Maine) should get any minute
I owe the irs, will them taking what I owe delay my refund deposit timing?
Filed 1/26 using TT and selected 5 days early. Received my deposit this evening.
@Molly43: I have BofA and I have never received deposit early. It lines up with WMR date. I should have deposit on Monday.
filed with HRB on 1-20…… Deposited in my account this evening at 7:45.
@JackiB: Do you have access to your transcripts? If you do you can check and see if you see movement late tonight or early morning if you are weekly. But also keep checking WMR daily for any updates you could easily process this week.
I was accepted from IRS on 1/23 no path DD when should ai see some movement on refund? WMR says we have received your your refund request and is being processed.
@Confused in ohio: Same just waiting :)
Anyone used turbo tax efilled on 1/27 today is 1/29 irs has no accepted is this bad?
I’m hoping for transcripts tomorrow! I was accepted on the 15th and I think it’s usually 2 weeks after acceptance that I update with transcripts!
As for me still nothing nada zip zero 😂 🤷♀️
@Jersey girl: I’m waiting right there with you. Think positive lady!
@mc559672: this is the first time in years we are getting a refund so I forgot how it all works. I know I’m weekly and my wages show up but no account transcrip yet!!!
@Sheila_33: you’re welcome 🤗
@kgkgkg: hopefully tomorrow
@d0106: My son has a DDD of 2/16/26 on his transcripts, but I am showing his refund pending in his bank account (credit union) for 2/2/26. Where’s My Refund just updated today as well showing 2/2/26.
@NYkhidd: If it gives you hope, my son has a DDD of 2/16/26 on his transcripts, but I am showing his refund pending in his bank account (credit union) for 2/2/26. Where is my refund just updated today as well showing 2/2/26.
@Tanistca: for the weeklies, it should populate from midnight all through the day tomorrow. Hopefully. I just need a 2025 account trans and an 846 and I’ll be happy :)
@mc559672: I don’t have one showing yet either do we still have a chance of them showing up tonight?
I’m so curious to see how my transcripts populate in the morning..Hopefully they update with good codes and not blank..(sighs)
@slippn: At least you have that. I don’t even have a 2025 account trans yet. I just have a blank W&I trans. I’m hoping mine populates tomorrow.
@mc559672: The blank transcript does have a date of 02/06. So probably next week
@mc559672: Same here
@slippn: You’re probably a weekly then. I’ve been in the weekly club for years. I want out lol
hmmm
Accepted, no transcript (its there but its blank), stuck at “return being processed”, no code
@Sheila_33: heeey Lady the site won’t allow me to login it keeps buffering