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.
Seems like a lot with a DDD of 2.23…are we anticipating a few days early with some banks?
@MomOf6Tees: I too have a date of 2/23/26 with dependents. Dang, that was fast though. Where’s my girl Sheila, every year she provides the real.
My wmr went to the path act message today which every year when that happens means everything was approved and once it is lifted I will have my DDD
@RuthBaby: same here let’s go!!
@Walter DOG: mine now shows 2024,2023,2022 return summary for past 2 weeks I’ve only been able to see 2021
My transcript for account is just zeros my wage transcript updated few days ago. I wonder if this means my return is heading in the right direction.
I was able to pull up my account, return and records transcripts. The only one that doesn’t have anything on it is the wage transcript. I do have a 2/23/26 date on the other ones though. Still have the “your return is processing beyond normal times”. Can anyone tell me if any of that is good. Or can I show my transcripts minus my personal info so someone can tell me what I’m looking at and what to expect. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the tax return train so I forgot what everything means other than wmr and ddd that’s about all I know.
@VaGal07: hey did your VA state hit yet??
I filed with tt on 1/22 was accepted 1/23. Not path. Got advance. I checked sbtpg this afternoon and nothing was there. Just checked again and it says my advance was paid today. But still says unfunded. My wmr is still at one bar (it never updated last year). I don’t have access to transcripts. They are on it this year. I have never gotten my refund before the 12th.
@Momof2girls1boy77: When I made the appointment, the lady who made it said, have my ID, SS card, the tax return in question, W2’s. I told her I didn’t have the letter. Check for you local IRS.
@Tykillaa42: clear your cache/browser history.
@akmckinney: dang must be a daily. I filed and was accepted the 30th still incomplete wages and no transcripts. But then I’m a weekly
@SandraA: check wmr in the morning
@Taxytime: mines updated early this morning. I have all the good codes but im still waiting on that 846
Filed my husbands on the 30th and when I checked yesterday he getting his deposited on the 9th
@Stephen: Imy transcripts updated at 5 this morning with good codes and it still had the 2021 for a while and finally it went back to 2024 back to normal
For those who wanted to read through the IRS manual for master file transcript codes here is the link
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-6209/6209sec8amasterfilecodes.pdf
Very helpful for understanding your transcript codes
Well hello everyone!!
Just checked my transcripts I have a process date for 2/23/26 with cycle 05. Yes I’m pather just here waiting for it to lift. 🙏🏽
@Kristen: I filed with TurboTax also, and did the 5 day early with fees also, do you answered my question, I guess you will still get the refund on the same day u get the 846 posted……I’m path so I have to wait till path lifts but at least I know u will receive it the same day as the 846 post even with the fees taken out cause of the 5 day early, I bank with chime do I should still get it that same day.
@Starvin Marvin: and what do I need to take with me
Anyone on path have there transcripts update? Mine updated and I’m under path just no ddd
This sucks. 🤷♀️
So do we think the weekly’s that updated to ddd for 2/23 will have a 2/9 or a 2/11 ddd when wmr updates tomorrow.
Hey everyone, quick question I filed my son’s through freetaxusa, was accepted 1/23 no dependents wmr has 1 bar, when y’all think it’ll hit?
@Starvin Marvin: don’t I need the letter to verify. Also where do I go
@Momof2girls1boy77: The letter takes forever go in person I was able too and in 5 minutes my Id was verified
@tiredofwaiting1: If you had fees taken out of your refund or had an advance you will not get it till the deposit date shown on WMR tomorrow morning.
@Momof2girls1boy77: Yes you will see a message and it will say I’d verify. You can verify on the irs website it’s faster that way
My deposit just hit! Used the Turbo Tax deposit 5 days sooner (fees took out of Cross River Bank) transcripts updated with 846 code this morning around 7/8 am and deposit just hit my Venmo account about 10 minutes ago. Good Luck everyone!
And will I be able to see the letter on my online account if I have it set up to receive them on there and by mail
So I talked to a really nice young man at the IRS this evening. He told me that I need to id verify. I have never had to do this before. I guess I will be getting a letter with a control number that I need to use to verify. My question is how long will it take to get that letter once they mail it.
Anyone applied for an advance and it took longer than expected to get an answer