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.
@Celina93: I’ve never seen an ID verify letter show online.
@Almosttomyrefund2026: I been 0505 for the last 3 years … last year was 20250505 .. this year I’m 20260505 .. the last 2 numbers 05 mean weekly .. the first 0505 just means the 5th week of the month .. 0605 means 6th week of the month. Just mean you were processed 2 weeks earlier than last years . No indication of you becoming daily . I been weekly for 10 years sad to say
Hey so my boyfriend has to verify his return? I don’t know what that means but he’s set up for email and mail notices, how long does it take for the notice to show up online?
@Mommy1121: UNFORTUNATELY it look like EVERYONE in NY state went right to further review due to that BS $200 inflation refund check that we got back in October .. last 3 years I stayed on processing with NY no issues
@bell51: The w2 on the wage transcripts may be an issue since the IRS may reconcile with what you filed on the return. You might go into your return and add that 1680 and see if its makes a difference on the refund. If it doesn’t, they may adjust the total income and issue the refund anyway. The 1099s normally aren’t reconciled until later in the year, but make sure you amend if you receive your refund otherwise you’ll have a 290 unreported income code pop up and penalties applied. Good luck!
Hi everybody. Happy New Year! We received an unexpected W-2 for $1680 from my husband’s old employer. I received a 1099-c cancellation of debt for $5600 from a 10 year old CC. We got them both in the mail on Friday 2/6.
We filed with TT on 1/30 and we were accepted a few minutes later. Our wage and income transcripts populated on Saturday 2/7 to reflect the employer W-2 but not the 1099-C.
Will this hold up our refund? We do want to amend. TT will not allow amendments until 2-16. Any factual advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
@Matt7650: if you get a irs account whatever letter is sent by mail youll get it electronically way faster same day the mail it out youll get it to youronline portal so u wont have to wait to receive it
@PoliticalVirus101: I am a weekly on path. First time on path. To get refund 2/20, transcript would update 13th with ddd right? Do they do that before path lifts? Or will transcript update 2/20 with ddd? Thank you in advance.
@Rubicon46: I’m still waiting for my letter from the IRS to Id verify. I was able to with the state of Michigan as they requested the same.
Alot of folks who are weekly and on path should receive their refunds on 2/20 but only if they paid fees up front. I do every year now!
@ashl3y: thank you so much
@ChristiTEXAS: yes theyll take whatever u owe even on a payment plan I owed some taxes that i never filed after three years it caught up to me last year they took it right out even on a payment plan
me and my husband filed married filing separate his return amnt from turbotax was 8606 I kept checking it said no information to match so i assumed I did something wrong but once his transcript updated from all 0s to the refund amount (-) means amount that will be paid to so u so the amount was 8806 they added a few bucks for whatever reason but I wont complain wmr still on one bar wasnt able to check today says site is down
Good morning all I have one lat question about my offset. If I never received any notice from them but it’s listed could it be possible to not take anything from my refund. And my husband has an offset listed from them that’s been there since last year. And they didn’t take his refund last year.
Hi guys, I have a question. If I owe the IRS but I am on a payment plan (that’s in good standing)… Will they still take my refund?
Hello,
I filed on 2/4 and today i checked the irs app today and it says my refund is scheduled for the 11th.
I do have the ACTC but I DONT have the EITC. Seems like they may not be holding until mid Feb this year, unless they only are for the EITC credit.
Filed with turbo tax/ no early access (just regular filing)
@Mommy1121: every person that i see in ny is on further review, including myself
@SandraA: mine as well. except on account balance 2025 is there.
@Sheila_33: and you would likely be correct. I went back and checked my bank and wmr for 2024. Wmr actually had a 2/26/25 ddd and my bank had it in 2/24/25. I paid in advance that year, too.
@SandraA: as of 02-23-2026 on Account trancript. Wage Transcript. Other transcripts still do not list 2025 Tax year.
Good morning
Filed/accepted 1/29, WMR as of 2/7/26 still 1 bar. Nothing owed prior years. I am not a pather. I am a weekly (05) for years. Hopefully will see movement & 846 on Friday the 13th…fingers crossed.
@Mommy1121: yup mine
Is anyone else nys return require further review?!!
@Sheila_33: yeah I definitely went through and checked back on everything that was available up until 2018. Nothing new on anything so I’m generally confused. According to what I’ve seen so far the IDV would post a prompt in the notifications section which I’m not seeing, but I’m also not sure if I would have to wait until Saturday to see that this week as an 05 that never had a return file posted for this year as of yet.
@pinkpearlssxo: Go into your previous years transcripts and see if any new codes w/this years dates on them. Sometimes it can be a past issue. If nothing there, possibly a verification of some kind, id or credits.