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.
@Ineedmy$$now: I forgot if I said u applied for the advance or not…I assumed you did. So many convos the day with you etc. if so have you still not received it?
Irs website now says received, tt still says pending. I guess they just a little slower
@BostonPi103: let us see give us hope lol @BostonPi103:
@shelleybeanss: thank you ☺️
@Kyra: sbtpg.com sorry I do not know why it autocorrected a website
@Kyra: if it’s TurboTax then it goes through SBTPG.
@Kyra: maybe sbrog.com. That’s the bank that disburses the refunds when you get an advance or pay fees with refund
Hello everyone. I remember there being a website to check to see if fees were already paid if you chose to pay with refund. Do anyone know what that website is?
Does anyone remember when we started to see if verification on wmr last year I wanted to say it was like the Tuesday after I got my status on wmr I may be wrong just curious if anyone remembers
@Ineedmy$$now: yes they do
@SierraMama: yeah I never heard of that tbh
@Chroniclurker29: same here
Does the irs accept returns through out the night?
@Sheila_33: thank you so much!
@BostonPi103: any depends?
@Rellik: same!
Never used the advance thru TT. So question? Whats the chances of being approved? Kinda skeptical bc I’ve seen ppl say they are approved and then out of nowhere credit karma closes the acct 👀
Good evening to all. I went back in conversation to see if it had been asked. But just as speculation, with Path lifting on a Saturday, what day does anyone think dailies and weeklies will update?
Is there a way to stop a tax offset?
I filed with TurboTax at 5:15 p.m. eastern time, at 5:55 I received an email saying the IRS accepted my return..
@Kjammer09: after you fixed your return how long did it take for them to accept it?
@*Queen*: so I got email saying it was rejected due to my daughters last name being incorrect. So I just resent it.. so check your return to be sure it was right
@Ineedmy$$now: ikr… I’m still waiting too
@Texas: that sucks as I know a lot of people could use the advance.
Can’t believe I’m still waiting to be accepted
@TXBAMA: I was declined the refund advance for the first time in 8 yrs! A lot of other people were also declined I don’t know why.
@Kjammer09: awww man I hate to hear that but I’m sure everything will work out for you :) and I hope so!
Hi, has anyone else had trouble with TT advance option not showing when trying to e-file?
@Ineedmy$$now: right lol? Now every single penny is going towards my car payment now. Actually still $ 98 short. About to lose my car actually. On phone with them now to see if they’ll allow it $98short. I’m late. A ton of med bills :( I hope you get your soon !!
@Monee: no a friend of mine did but she has been filling for her same kids for over 5 years
@Kjammer09: yaayyyyyy!!!
@Ineedmy$$now: I got my advance just now