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.
@Qu33nTQ: What is the “as of” date?
Honestly I wish they would just be a bit more proactive with it. They know the date the path is supposed to lift. They know it’s a holiday or a weekend most of the time. Seems like they would just give the date and let it go. For example, weeklies SHOULD update next Friday to a DDD of 2/18. Instead we have to wait until the 20th to even get a date of the following Wednesday. Just makes no sense.
@Ashley1523: We are thinking dailies will see their refund codes on the 18th, and a deposit date of the 23rd. The weeklies we believe will see their 846’s on Friday with a deposit date of the 25th.
@Sheila_33: ?
good morning everyone
filed and accepted 1/26
pather, 05 cycle
all transcripts updated today
first processing date was 2/16, today processed to 2/23 and dates after all my codes is 4-/15
i know we always say it’s crazy but this year is something else
but movement is always good news so yay!
@Andrea not logged in: I would check later in the day, something might change.
@Sheila_33: any insight on this?
@Sheila_33: thank you! The 2/23 date definitely threw me off. I kept thinking why is my DDD so far off if I am not PATH? This is my first time ever filing early. I usually wait until after opening day. I was afraid we would get an ID verify, income changed, address changed, bank changed. The last 3-4 years we have been delayed, stuck on still processing. So relieved. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until I let it out when I saw the 846.
So my husband’s account updated with normal codes. But get this, his account summary doesn’t say zero and his home page doesn’t say that his return is done processing. 🙄😒🙄😒🙄
Which tells me when he updates again next week, he will probably have a hold code. His account doesn’t look like mine. My home page says im done processing, and my account summary says zero owed.
@Ipayne1: This week we saw quite a few dailies getting their refunds the same day they posted on their transcript. And Chime was one of the banks. So its possible you may see it today. Good luck and congratulations! Keep us updated please.
@Sheila_33: my as of date never changed
@Sheila_33: bummer. I got a 570 and 971 last year even though I’ve had the same job and kids for years. No eitc just ctc and actc, it resolved itself after like a month and I didn’t have to do anything but wait, but still sucked. I feel like the date not changing is what happened last year. 😣
Woohoo FINALLY updated with an 846 code! Thank goodness
@Andrea not logged in: I’m not sure either. This week, every daily that updated saw a 2/23 date because we’re in the next cycle. I updated this morning with a 2/23 date. That date is posted to make sure an action is completed by. Unsure why yours has not changed.
With the 15th being a Sunday and the 16th a holiday, when will is the IRS expected to lift the hold and start sending the refunds?
I updated to all good codes just waiting for Path to lift. Cycle code 0505 as of date 2/23. Good luck to everyone still waiting.
@Sheila_33: I’m a weekly. I filed on 1/26 and was accepted on 1/26. My transcripts all just updated this morning. I got 846 code refund issued 2/23. I did my taxes thru Chime this year. When do you think I will get my refund. Chime says up to 6 days earlier.
Woohoo! I got my 846 for 2/23 after much anxiety lol. Good luck everyone, the movement is happening!
@Sheila_33: what am I looking for to update today? I’ve been checking every hour or so and it did update from what it was already, before I had no 2025 account transcript and it said I hadn’t been processed now by account transcript is there but with the refund amount showing as a negative number but as of date still the same I got codes 806 and 766 I guess I just don’t know what else I’m waiting to look for to update today