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 âqueueâ 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.
Thatâs 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 donât have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your moneyâs 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.
@Cha Cha: Its a test of the system to make sure returns are accepted and processed correctly. Sometimes a good thing and you can see your refund quicker unless you have the child credits, or sometimes can be an issue and you may be recycled or stuck. Speculation is it may start today or possibly tomorrow.
What’s up with hub testing?
@Amuz1234: Only one of them will vet accepted. The other one should get rejected.
I accidentally submitted my federal return twice in taxact as I didnât think the first went through as loading screen wouldnât go away.. I received two emails from taxact saying federal return filed..will this slow down my return processing with the irs..both returns are identical, just accidentally submitted twice
I will let ya know if and when I get accepted.
I am sure if I get accepted this week like last year hopefully in test batch, I should get my refund next Thursday 5 days before opening day. I got Go2bank so maybe like last year. We will see.
Hello folks, patiently waiting to be accepted tomorrow or Thursday. Happy tax season again.
I submitted them on 1/8. TurboTax with Advance.
I will send a screenshot link as soon as I’m accepted and the money is deposited.
Let us know here when you get accepted also. It may be the first sign others are about to get accepted too.
Well I will be submitting mine this week probably on Friday so i can pay my fees, and just making sure I don’t have any other forms coming in. Just got the call today that my car(2020 Camry) needs a motor replacement. Needless to say I am not happy lol about 6 grand that I don’t exactly have lying around. So hoping to be part of an early batch without issues this year lol
Happpyyy Tax Season Everyone! We are all buckled in for this ride once again. Same stuff different year. I used ole faithful TurboTax again and got the advance just waiting on test batches. I checked and I got the advance on the 19th last year I think I filed earlier this year so maybe itâll be earlier. Wishing all of us luck!
We may see some test batches going in this week and next week if it follows the pattern from previous years. Please make sure to double check those W-2’s, if applicable, and direct deposit info to make sure you’ve got the correct information inputted for efile. Once you efile it, its harder to correct those on the return. Also, consider registering for an IDme tax account to access your transcripts after its submitted and see how its progressing.
https://igotmyrefund.com/transcripts/
Those with TT advances pending, what were the T&Cs? I recall a few last year!
TIA
OH YEAH BACK FOR 2025! Same ol’ TurboTax with Advance. Just sent it today so will update on acceptance. I think last year it was on like the 17th. Good luck everyone.
Well and weâre off. Hereâs to hopefully this year being better than last
@GoodGts: No you didn’t get accepted. But not my problem is someone wants to believe you.
@GoodGts: I filed with TurboTax on the 8th also and I still didn’t get accepted yet, I’ll update everyone once I actually get accepted.
@TexansTaxesInTexas: I actually did get accepted and I’m a real person. I would post the email I received saying the irs accepted my return if we could post screenshots