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.
@batgirlpa: mine was I just checked
I filed 1/27 got approved 1/27 I got federal refund today .. retired no dependents @Texas 2 step: I used it and got refund in 6 days
I filed 1/27 got approved 1/27 I got federal refund today .. retired no dependents
Anyone here waiting on CA tax?
I have a question, if you choose the 5 days early option through TurboTax, how soon will you actually get your money if you have fees taken out of refund? I know they use cross river bank for the 5 days early option. Anyone experience any issues with the 5 days early option or is this ok to use?
I just got my refund y’all
Good luck everyone n Merry Taxmas
Until next year be safe n take care
@Amy19: I love it when it makes things easy. Good luck lady!
@Whatthehelly: my wage account is filled out but the rest is zeros
Iv been reading the chats for 2 weeks now lol im going to chime in myself. So I filed 1/12/26 was accepted 1/16/26. I also have the transcripts showing 0000 previous years Iv also had my refund before the month of February. All I can say is stay calm this is normal. For the last 10years it’s been that way and this year is deff different. Not a bad ratio can’t be 100% all the time! Just breathe and trust the process it will come!
Also if fees are taken from refund for turbo tax, can we still lookup on SBTPG? Or is it another bank now? Cuz my info for last year or this year doesn’t pop up…
I filed 1/16 at 10pm. Accepted 1/20 at 2pm. Prev transcripts say I’m an 05 weekly. Still only have 1 bar, and transcripts for 2025 show for account and wage but are 00.00 out. I usually get my deposit 1/30. I haven’t had any movement. Anyone else in the same boat? Were we resequenced? When do weekly’s post deposits? What should I look out for? Any specific dates?
@Kisharai not logged in: Thanks!
Hello. I’m just here because I come every year. I’m guessing I’m still a weekly person. On the Path. Hope everyones year went well.
@Vee2021: same
Transcript for acct and income wages only, still shows 00 WMR still 1 bar
@Amy19: thank you. I’m bout to Check. I know it goes through a three stage process so ima definitely going to check now.
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: each state’s time frame is different, some it’s days, others weeks or longer. Can you check the state’s online portal? It’s like where’s my refund for the federal return.
@ErisedMai: ,@Stephen: I agree, you should give it 24 hours. Have you reached out to freetaxUSA? Maybe there was an overload during that hour and it’s just sitting waiting to try again. Hope you get accepted overnight.
Anyone knows how long for the state taxes to deposit once accepted, is it like 4 days?
So I’m never doing the 5 day early feature on Turbotax again – I read on Reddit that last year peoples funds were held up an extra week after being sent to SBBT – this is the first year Ive had any issues with my Taxes…I was accepted on the 15th and still no movement. Transcripts show zeros, and as of date 2/16 – thankfully I’m using Venmo, so once the funds hit they release them, but I will never do the 5 days early/SBBT bank again…
Refund date 2/4. TT saying I received my refund today by end of day. WMR doesn’t say sent yet. Not in my bank.
@Mrsapple: I had to go back and forth between pay options and refund options like 4 times for it to populate for me personally.
When in the filling process with Turbo tax do they usually offer the refund advance? If someone could let me know. Is it after I hit the submit refund? Thank you
@kitty1: same thing happened to me a tax advocate helped me get the money SGBT claimed they sent back.
@ErisedMai: freetaxusa
@Stephen: I would give it at least 24 hours before you try, who did you file with?