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.
Good morning all, no movement whatsoever over here. Still haven’t populated a cycle code 😮💨. Non pather just CTC.
@PrettyEyes: If you’re a pather and a daily, we’re thinking you should see that 846 on transcripts next Wednesday the 18th.
Good morning. I filed 2/8, transcripts updated overnight. Cycle code is 20260603, just waiting on 846.
@Deano: I know it definitely had a delay for a few days this year. They had me sweating a little
@Sheila_33: WMR still the same but my transcript finally has 2025 return and filled out with the good numbers just waiting on payout
@Sheila_33: mines updated just waiting on 846 code. When do you think I would get 846 code? WMR haven’t updated yet.
Morning everyone! Any 03’s updating on transcripts, any Wmr updates?
@TheMadness21: We believe the 0s are because of resequencing after we found out the transcript system had been down for 2 weeks. But, I’m hoping that we’re coming out of that backlog and things get back to normal. So, I don’t think you have to go to all 0s first.
My Return Summary finally updated to show 2025
For those who had to ID verify, how long did it take to receive your letter after you were accepted?
hey guys, I’m normally a weekly nothing is popping up yet I file 2/5 but my question is is it possible for your transcripts to update filled in or do you have to go from blank to all zeros to your numbers to getting your 846?
@Vip96: I’m glad you finally filled in👍
@Vip96: I’m still waiting for my transcript to populate last year only took 4 days usually have the path act 5th or 6th day not this year??
I’ve been freaking out no movement on my transcripts whatsoever, and it was accepted on the first and it finally just filled out on my transcripts, of course still waiting for PATH to lift. I can breathe a little easier now.
@JJ not logged in: I do always
I only have one bar with a status of “Return Received”. I updated Path Message last week. Does that mean I am done processing or they will start processing my return after the 15th? A little confused
have one bar with a status of “Return Received”. I updated Path Message last week. Does that mean I am done processing or they will start processing my return after the 15th?
@Mandie: me. He’s retired
@DebMom: are you listed first on the return or is your husband? if it’s you, that could possibly be why you’re seeing something different. my husband is listed first on our return and there were some things that didn’t show up properly for me, but when i checked under his social, he had full access to everything
@Tay: me! all my past returns have processing dates in february, first time i’ve seen a march date
@If only…: thank you
@Molly mac: That’s the message you want to see now you’re playing in the waiting game
Your good 👍
@MommaLee89: there is a delay in processing your return. this happened to me two years ago, it ended up being nothing though, so hopefully it’s just a random check on their end
@DD2315: it’s only the additional child tax credit that holds the date back