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.
Hi all
My transcript updated with a DD for 2/16/26
WMR has not updated for me to 2nd bar as of yet
I know a couple years I’ve gotten my refund deposited into my bank account it goes to the 2nd bar
Mine is a simple 1099
Hopefully tax season moves smoothly and quickly for everyone this year
So next question, if weeky transcripts only update on Friday’s, but my ddd date is usually a monday, when would you say mh next chance for DD is if I update next Friday? updated to account and wage transcripts, as of, all zero’s no codes this morning.
I will say that last year my transcripts didn’t update until around 7:30 pm. we had to pay taxes last year. I kept track because I had a big state refund for overpaying state taxes and wanted it to process and refund to use for federal.
last year I filed opening day. This year on 1/20 and accepted 1/21.
I was actually expecting a delay since this is our biggest refund ever and we usually have Sch c’s etc.
No path eic, actc, ever.
Our last refund was in 2022.
So my transcripts populated with a refund and the 846 code with a direct deposit date or an as date of February 16. My state of Ohio taxes still say processed the February 5 deposit date. But WMR and online both say I’ve checked too many times and I haven’t checked at all today, so I called the number and it said basically I was still on one bar.
Is it possible to get a deposit before the transcripts update with 846 code? I’m weekly and have been getting my deposit on the fifth Friday (0505 code) of the year for as far back as I can remember.
Well my account transcripts populated but with all zeros & an as of date of 2/16. I guess that’s better than no movement at all
Has any that has filed from NY had their state return accepted yet.
Well my account transcripts populated but with all zeros & an as of date of 2/16. I guess that’s better than no movement at all
@Shi43: mines is NOT a word
@Momof2girls1boy77: I think we have to until Friday. I could be wrong.
Any chance those of us that got all zeros today could update tonight
@Yandy00: No longer a daily lol but I’m ok with that. Did you end up with any codes at the bottom of the account page? We’ve seen a few with 810s popping up. I updated this morning to all 0s as a bunch have. I think its a big batch of resequencing. Ready for this 24 degree weather coming in this weekend?
@Morris: mines too
@Sheila_33: Hello how are you? Still on Your refund is still being processed. Accepted 15th Daily. Transcripts changed yesterday to all 0000s. Lol.Hope something happens soon..How are you?
@Walter DOG: Hey Walter how are you?I know you’re a weekly. Good luck..Still nothing yet.Im a daily. Accepted on the 15th than wmr change to Your refund is still being processed. A refund date will be available…Yesterday transcripts all 00000s..As of 2-16 lol..No path
@JAres: Exactly
@SandraA: that’s why I used taxact. They had the forms and it was cheaper.
Mine was filed and accepted 01/20/2026.
As of 01/30/2026 it shows still processing on WMR. Simple 1040, no EITC.
My transcript shows this:
Exemptions: 00
Filing status: Married Filing Joint
Processing date: 00-00-0000
RETURN NOT PRESENT FOR THIS ACCOUNT
TRANSACTIONS
CODE EXPLANATION OF TRANSACTION
CYCLE DATE
AMOUNT
No tax return filed
No updates to my transcripts, obviously.
Unfortunately, I had to file on the 29th early morning due to TT delays with form 8283. Intuit does this to customers every year.
Keeping my fingers crossed for next Friday.
@Kisharai: Mine is showing the same info. The recent tax year 2021. IRS is so strange.