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.
That’s a wrap for me. Got my deposit this morning. Even though I thought paying fees up front I would get it deposited faster. No such luck. Anyhoo everyone have a wonderful 2026. Stay safe out there. ❤️ Until next time.
Filed and accepted 1/21. My transcript is now filled in when it was zeroes 6 hours ago. I have codes 150, 806 and 846. It now shows a processing date of 2-23 and cycle 20260503.
Under code 150 it says Tax Return Filed and a number under that which is 75221-420-43375-6 and under code 846 I get a date of 2/23. It says refund issued.
Strange. Tried several times to make an account here, but no matter what browser I use when I hit submit it just stays on a spinning circular icon forever.
Updated this morning to 846 2/23/2026. I have always been a weekly and this year I am a daily, 03! Transcripts populated blank last Wednesday and I’m actually still showing the blue “2025 transcript has not been processed” on the main screen. Filed 1/16 and accepted 1/20.
@Sheila_33: that’s what I am thinking! Thank you!
@KKDS: Whew, I was afraid they were blank. I’m not a fan of those. I would think you’d see an update by Friday, theres a bunch of us waiting with you.
@Sheila_33: thank you Shiela
Transcripts have updated to 846 ref issue 2/23. Filed 1/16 accepted 1/16. Weekly, transcripts updated to the all zeros Friday. Got delay message yesterday, and finished first thing this morning. Hope things get moving for everybody!
@Sheila_33: I have all 0’s on my 2025 transcript! That updated last Friday. And WMR says my return is processing. No delay notice. I am not a PATHer
@SoccerMom11: Its normal. You just haven’t processed just yet. Its possible you may see an update tomorrow or Friday.
@Kkds: Yes, according to the IRS but I’m perplexed that you haven’t even updated to at least all 0s on that account. What is the messaging on the Wmr?
@Sheila_33: Still 1 bar. I was accepted 1/16 so my 21 days ends Friday, but I believe the 21 day marker doesn’t start until opening day no matter how early we file, correct?
Path 20260503 account trans updated finally (it looks half filled out tbh) no 846 yet but have all my other codes. 1 bar wmr still.
I filed on the 28th but I don’t see anything for 2025 in my transcripts. 2025 isn’t even an option to select. Is this normal.
@pinkpearlssxox: When were you accepted?
@Honeybee82: I see you are Daily this year compared to last year. Nice!!!
My as of date is 12/25/25 showing all 00.00 and still saying no return filed 🤷♀️
@Sheila_33: Yes, I was thinking the same thing.
@Qu33nTQ: thank you! I’m trying to get in but getting an error message everyone must be logging in now. Did you get your 846?
Congratulations to all the 846ers! Wmr should update in the morning
@KKDS: Whats your Wmr saying?
Finally updated with all good codes and a new as of date for 2/23. Now I just wait for Path to lift! 😄