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.
@Momof2girls1boy77: yep mine sounds exactly like yours fingers crossed for a update at some point
@Stressed about being stressed: yes. My as of date hasn’t changed either. My wage and income transcript is filled in but my account transcript is blank and no other transcripts show for 2025. I’m hoping they are going to update all day today.
@VaGal07: hey good morning, so you think today is the day for our VA state to hit tonight 😆 or we might get lucky and it might hit early during the day time this time 😆
@Momof2girls1boy77: I’m in the same bit I was accepted 21 when we didn’t update last week I was sure we would this week and our as of date hasn’t changed like some people
@Tanistca: I’m wondering the same thing. This is so frustrating. I should have updated today. I was accepted on 1/20. This is nuts. I’m not on Path and I don’t have any messages on wmr about a delay. I’m so confused
Patriots #1 haha were so good! Thank you RK, MV and JM! Going for #7
Also my state here in Maine accepted 1/26 maybe 1/27 had DD 1/29 Maine is always exceptionally fast and has a new processing system.
@Sheila_33: so what are we thinking for people who updated but still have 0s on account with an as of date 2/23 compared to those of us who didn’t update last week or this week still 0s on account transcript but as of date is still 2/16
@Mollymae: likely will have to wait until next week.
Updated as well. Last year as of was 0310 and received on 0223. This year as of changed from 0216 to 0223.
Good morning! Yesterday my account transcript for 2025 was non existent. Today it is there but all zeros and an as of date of 2/23. Could my transcripts still fill in today or will I likely have to wait until next week for it to update again? Im pretty sure I am a weekly.
Still 105,806,768 code I’m a 03 cycle and no update this morning ugh
@Dollbaby127: ALOT of us in NY state went straight to review as well . I didn’t even bother checking NY state website yet .. last 3 years I stayed on processing for 7 days straight then got my ddd for state
Transcripts FINALLY updated overnight. WMR hasn’t changed. Refund issued date says 2/23 but that’s never accurate. My DD is always on a Wednesday, so I anticipate it will be deposited 2/11/2026. Last year it said 2/10 and was actually deposited on 1/29.
I’m a weekly files and accepted 1/26 my transcripts updated today just waiting for 846 code which should be issued 2/20. Yay to everyone who updated
@Sheila_33: hi Sheila should wmr update to path tomorrow from the delayed message if my transcript filled in with good codes just waiting on 846
@Andrea not logged in: First year I’ve ever seen that had this many wage transcripts update. But, wage transcripts are connected to the SSA so I doesn’t think it makes a difference one way or other.
@ValGal07: You’re welcome. Weirdest year I’ve seen in awhile.
Got an 846 guess I have to wait til 2/23? Ugh
@Jamyam: Thats a lot of triggers that might make the IRS look closer at the return. I adopted my 5 grandkids, moved, and my income changed, all in one year. I ended up in audit.
continued… I used TurboTax now have codes 806 for 1099 R, 150 ,846.
I filed 2/18. I have a few family members who filed after me and have their 2025 transcripts updated and their ca refund already deposited. I’m stuck on processing for ca and as far as transcripts I don’t have the 2025 ones on there, but I didn’t file last year and also have a different address this year than when I last filed but I’m also splitting claiming with my bd who usually claims both the last couple of years. Could any of that have anything to do with me still being stuck in processing?
Transcripts updated all good codes filed on 15th accepted the 16th just waiting on 846
@Sheila_33: Same! And I don’t even drink coffee. What a morning. 😭 Thank you so much for your help, you are always so helpful. I’ll report back on deposit date and let you know what amount I actually got. lol. What a weird year.
@804VAgoodvibes: You’re welcome.My grandson called me that one time after I helped him buy a car. I almost didn’t give him the keys lol. But, I like goats. They’re cute.
Hello all! My transcript revised after 8 am today and showa my refund. I don’t have dependents but I had credits. I filed the 1/26, accepted 1/27. My refund date changed from 2/16 to 2/23. As of yesterday I had all zeros. WMR still at one bar. Cycle 05 weekly.
@sheila_33 thanks so much for helping with my questions. One more, is my wage transcript supposed to update with the others? Mine still hasn’t but the others did I’m wondering if that why last year I got the hold that resolved itself and now this year my as of date didn’t update …
@Clos: 2-11 would be great
@VaGal07: I need coffee lol
@Sheila_33: That’s why I hate being weekly 5 days after the lift. Thanks again, you’ve been right about everything so far.