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.
@Stressed about being stressed: glad you received your letter. Anxiously awaiting ours.
@Walter DOG: thank you for the words of encouragement 🙏🙏🙏
So I owe money to irs
I filed and clam 3 kids normally I wait till path gets lifted. Just checked they took there money I owed and the rest should be deposited by the 11th. Transcript I got a 846 also. Kinda weird that I’m getting it back so fast I thought owing them money would make it lag more.
@needmymoneynow: Additional child tax credit is held under path, not the child tax credit.
@Mamaquel: CTC is a path credit. It’s not only EIC. So you’re a pather … welcome to the club LOL
@PearlM: Its weird my son checked yesterday and it said deposit. Today wmr changed to mailed on 13th. I told him at least it coming. For me im waiting on a id verify letter 😆
So here’s my update accepted 1/21 no updates on transcript wmf never changed from the we are processing your return. I am weekly. We just got our letter in the mail to id verify!!!!
Filed and accepted on Jan 29th.
Two simple W-2’s
Cycle chart says DD by Feb 6th.
Today is the 7th and no movement on WMR.
@Stephen: i wouldn’t sweat it I’m telling you, you will be fine 1099 usually don’t show up until around June or July and if by chance they want to make something of it they will send you a letter about unreported income and you can amend then but there are ways if you have to amend to not even count that 1099c but my guess is you probably won’t even hear from irs I never did
Anyone has the refund status unavailable besides me on WMR? If so, is this a bad thing? Filed and accepted on 01/28/2026 with TurboTax.
@Walter DOG: I was accepted February 3rd lol 😆
@Walter DOG: oh okay makes since I thought you meant I would get delay message bc they going to hold up my refund lol man I tell you my nerves and a wreck 😂 my sleeping schedule is all out of wack stressing over this stupid 1099C that I was told I wouldn’t get this year. Not 1x but 5x I asked that bank.. it should be illegal for them to lie about something like that
@Yandy00: Same with me. It’s suppose to be mailed on Feb 13.
@Stephen: on Wednesday or Thursday it will probably go to delay message that’s what ours did and on Friday morning your transcripts will update and Saturday you will get Path Message the reason for delay message like well got in middle of the week is 21 days are up
@Walter DOG: the 1099C is not showing up on my wage transcript yet
Why would I get a delay msg next week instead of the path message
@ErisedMai: I had the 18th then I
At calander lol Thank you
@PearlM: Hi…Same thing happened to my son.It said the mailed and this will be his 4th year direct deposit to chase.Its funny because today it changed to mail on February 13th smh lol
@Amy19: I am getting the correct amount.
@Stephen: is that 1099c on your wage transcript yet if not you might get by a lot of times the 1099 don’t update on wage transcript until later in the year you will update next week your wmr will probably change next week to delay message
@Sheila_33: thank you so much!!! You are the best!