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.
Good Morning Everyone!!! How’s it looking this season so far? Just filed yesterday and accepted today.
#MelloDello53: You probably just shifted the updates, lol. I just needed to clarify for others, in case they got their cycle code.
Morning all! No movement on my federal taxes yet, but VA finished processing my state. It’s being taken (which I knew), but I was hoping to find out exactly who. Hopefully its going where I think it is. I was also checking the IRS Refund Offset line for my fed this morning and it keeps saying “I am unable to assist right now” after I put in my SSN. Anybody else ever had that issue?
@Charlotte: Check later in the day, they may still fill out. That date changing means something may be going on.
My transcipts are in Spanish how do I change in English got 846 LOL
@HopieinPA: Will possibly update in the morning to a 2/9 deposit date on Wmr. Congratulations!
@Sheila_33: Okay my bad 05 today. 01 Friday
@Joyous 1: hiiii — no
After your transcript updates with a ddd when does wmr update? I’m a 04 cycle so just updated to ddd but it shows ddd 2/23 on transcript
@HopieinPA: Are you on path?
@Bri_843: no problem! Have her check WMR tomorrow and it should update with DDD tomorrow.
@Bri_843: Hiiee I noticed my transcripts have the 846 ddd 2/23 but last year my ddd in my transcripts was 2/17 but I got it 2/5. So I’m kinda hoping it comes way earlier than that 2/23 date this year
@Joyous 1: thank you for this post bc my daughter updated this morning on transcripts for 2/23. I told her to check where’s my refund tomorrow & hopefully it’s got a date for next week
Morning chat! I’m here to give an update. Usually I’m weekly, but my transcript update yesterday with 846 and DDD of 2/23. I checked WMR and I have a DDD of 2/9. I will keep yall posted once my refund hits.
My as of date changed from 2/16 to 2/23 today.
@WaitingPatiently: oh ok! Gotcha! Thats exactly what mine said! Thanks for the info!
@MelloDello: Irs tax week runs differently than a regular week. (They like to be different, bless their heart, lol). Friday is 01, Thursday is 05.
Finally updated all transcripts yesterday and wmr updated from delayed to path this morning :)
@MelloDello53: not on path just simple return with no credits