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.
I’m so confused or the IRS is, just filed on 1/26 and transcript has 846 with 2/16 date. Is that normal this quick?
@BigCountry1087: 05 can also be a daily, so it is a bit confusing.
@Momof2girls1boy77: I honestly don’t know if I buy into the whole cycle and day of week thing cause my 23 return i was a 05 and updated on a Thursday am and last year I was a 01 and updated round 8pm Saturday night.
@Sexy: what state? I am still waiting for Idaho to accept mine
@mc559672: mine is showing head of household (which has been my filing in the past). It this year I filed married filing jointly. Found that weird also
I’m weekly. Account transcript loaded today says ddd 2 / 16. will that change tonight? If so what time and what will my new ddd be??.
@Sheila_33: hi Sheila 👋 does the as of date mean anything on transcripts I cant remember is that when they have till to process it
Finally states accepting return
@StirCrazy: that’s the date you would reenter processing due to the PATH Act
If your account transcripts have 0s, but it says as of date 2/16/26, does that mean anything?
Is anyone else having problems with the IRS website
Just filed and accept and no funds with child credits til March this year?! Always seems like late Feb when I file around this time.
@Sheila_33: thank you
I’ll have to say this is the fastest year yet. Accepted on the 26th and both fed and state pending for Monday. 1040 return, head of house hold.
@Momof2girls1boy77: I have had my transcripts fill out late on a Friday night before.
Anyone in AZ gotten their state taxes yet? How long did it take from being accepted?
@Bama91: They’ve changed the format on Wmr this year. No codes unless its reflecting something on the transcript
@Momof2girls1boy77: People that processed today 01 could see an update on their transcript tomorrow. All depends on how quick the IRS wants to catch up after the delay.
Good evening everyone. Does anyone know why tax year 2021 is the only year showing up on irs account.
Thank you
@Nikole: thank you for answering. I really appreciate it. Have a good night.
@Momof2girls1boy77: I’ve heard this as well. Crossing my fingers for us.
I’m seeing on some sites that it is possible for transcripts to update on a Friday night into Saturday morning. Is this actually possible. I mean it makes sense if they do dailies every other day and none on Sunday night. Then wouldn’t weeklies update Friday night/ Saturday morning
@Momof2girls1boy77: Thank you for the quick reassurance, btw :) We’re all in this together!
@Vee2021: mine has done the same
@Momof2girls1boy77: Glad to know it’s not just me! Yeah, I think it’s in a weird limbo state where the filing status hasn’t updated yet and it’s using last year’s return info for that. Whew.
@mc559672: yes. Mine says head of household but filed single
I wonder if these 00-00-0000 on 2025 account trans are temporarily pulling in previous return info…that would explain any filing status discrepancies. Seeing my ex wife’s name on my Single 1040 is absolutely…mortifying. Not sure how many people are seeing things like this, but it’s my only guess.
How come I don’t have tax topic 152 or 154 I forgot which but this the first time I never seen it
Okay, so something funky just happened. My 2025 account trans populated (all 0’s), but it says Married Filing Jointly but I filed as Single on my 1040. Is this a glitch? It’s showing my ex wife’s name on it. Please tell me this is a temporary error lol. Has anyone else had this happen?
@Donjmjr: Mine is on the second bar, deposit date says 2/2