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.
I updated thankfully now just walking the path
So if my account transcript has good codes and says as of 2-23-2026 what does this mean I do have earned income credit on my return does it mean just waiting on 846 now. ??
@Rubicon46: the years dont show as a list for you?
Filed 01/26 using cash app, accepted 01/27, married filing jointly, no dependents. Checked around 5am and all transcripts updated but account transcript was filled below said 0.00 up top. Just checked again and received 846 a of date 02-23 but guessing it may show up in my cash app account at any time.
@Monee: I’m trying to hold out hope but my luck lately hasn’t been so good. I always feel like if you don’t update at the same times as everyone you never do. I know the rare person slips through. Let’s up it’s us
@Lisainbuffalogobills: The as of date will change as soon as the path freeze lifts, but as of now, you’re frozen. The 2/23 is the same as mine, and I updated today with path credits. I’d say listen to the processing day.
Trans finally updated. I hate being weekly. I only been a daily for 1 year
@Jim22: It updates during the day. My account transcript wasn’t available earlier but it is now. It’s blank though.
@Sheila_33: Haha. So the amounts listed for 806 and 768 with the negative signs are what I’m receiving? That’s more than I was supposed to get?
Can anyone explain? IRS Transcript shows return processed with code 846 & a deposit date of 02/23/2026. Where’s my refund updated on 2/4/2026 with a ddd of 2/6/2026. Paid for my refund with my return thru TurboTax. Today- 2/6/2026- where’s my refund has not updated, and SBTPG does not have any record of my information. Anyone know what’s going on or when can I expect my refund?
Does WMR ever update during the day or is it always overnight?
@SandraA: It’s possible, but if it doesn’t, you may have been hit with resequencing like a bunch of us were last week and will need to cycle thru next week to finish.
@Lisainbuffalogobills: I’m in the same boat as of date is still 2/16, with codes that updated today, processing date 2/23, everyone else’s as of date pushed out it seems like.
@Tanistca: me too, but I dont think we are defeated. The agent said there’s “no issues” and “pending” so maybe its just taking ours forever to post. Im used to seeing and update by 6am, but this year is really weird.
@Tanistca: I see people talking about an “as of 2/16 date”. I have nothing. See no dates anywhere. My transcripts only have year 2024. The drop down box to choose years doesn’t have 2025 as an option. So confusing
Account Transcript just updated blank with 0s – As Of 02-23-2026. Hopefully the rest will continue to update the rest of the day?
@Newman: same here all 0 maybe next week
For those of you that haven’t updated yet. The “as of” date is gonna need to push out for the cycle update. So, if you don’t have the 2/23, you may just be waiting to update today. There are 3 weeks of transcripts that need to be updated today. Let’s see how the day goes.
So my as of date is 2-16 all good codes I am an 03 have path message but when you scroll down it says my processing date is 2-23 what do I listen to the as of or the processing date
Will transcripts update throughout the day. This is very upsetting. I filed 1/16. Was accepted 1/20. I have had the we have received your tax return and it is being processed message ever since. My wage and income transcript is populated. Last week my account transcript appeared but it is blank. I have no movement today and I still have the as of date of 2/16. Tuesday will be my 21 days
@Sheila_33: thank you.
@Deano: Thank you. :)
Ugh…only Account Transcript is up, but it is showing 0’s…..no Return Transcript