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.
@Sheila_33: well I know I’m a weekly always been for years and I’m having fees taking out and it’s going to a no holds bank and early deposit bank. Netspend like always. So basically will see it from the 23rd on u think for the deposit?
@Jenny04: Next week dailies will see an update on Wednesday the 18th for a ddd of 2/23. If you have a no holds bank, then you could see it the 18th. Weeklies will see an update on Friday the 20th, with a ddd of 2/25. No holds bank, the 20th. Thats how we think it will play out.
@Sheila_33: hey girl I keep seeing that we won’t see any movement or anything till the 21st or 23rd and with that we won’t even see a DDD till either the 27th and on. Is that true??? Ur input is appreciated girl
@Renee757: mine started to show this past Monday. Filed 1/17, accepted 1/20. It has all the amounts for fees/advance/etc just waiting for it to populate to funded which I expect mid-late next week
@Sheila_33: thank you for your input.
@lavacandy82: Checks are usually mailed on Fridays so he possibly may see it within the week.
@Watt: That message is just reflecting the length of time in the system, quite a few have had it and updated to populated transcripts.
@Lisa Mc: As of now, checks are still going out as they are beginning transition into direct deposits. But, that being said, if you’re direct deposit is correct for a deposit, they have until the 23rd to issue the payment. Hopefully, you will see it within the next week.
@Goosbumpslover: your welcome if you have 0 on your account transcript you will update this Friday morning unless your daily you can update tonight into Thursday
Question? I have a ddd for my 2024 amended tax return no garnishments no nothing it says 846 refund issued 2/23 and it updated to that 2/6
I checked my account numbers etc it’s correct.Will they send out a check ik they are stopping checks right.So when can I expect my return.Btw I bank with Chase so I know I get my dd on the day of I’m also weekly on my transcript it says 04/05 for my amended same as my 2025 tax return 04/05 and yes I’m a pather for this year.Can someone help . I hate the way they updated the transcript dates.And also wmr only have my original return and wmar says adjusted resulted in refund. No garnishments
What does it mean Your status change from accepted to we apologize your return processing has been delayed beyond normal timeframe???? Is this not good?
@Christi23: If you have path credits – Earned Income or Child Tax Credits, you will not see 846 post until sometime next week (likely on Wednesday but possibly not until Friday) Once that posts, the refund is released to your bank but then there is a processing time (depending on the bank). Some banks will release funds the same day, others will wait until the date provided next to the 846 to release funds. (NOTE: the date next to 846 is the actual date that funds clear at the bank from the IRS so the banks are not “holding” your money if they don’t release until that date. A lot of people misconceive how this works and think the banks are holding their money hostage by not releasing early lol)
@Walter DOG: I was able to see my transcripts,thank you again. Still all zeros on account transcript
I have an account with my brother with walmart money card. We both have cards in our names for this account. He gets his payroll and tax check for the last 10 years. This year the bank rejected it said his name wasn’t the primary. How long will it take for his check to be mailed to him? Online google says 4-6 weeks. I am curious for those who have personally went through this.
@Walter DOG: good morning thank you
Is anyone having issues with pulling up there information on SBTPG? I filed January 30th.
@Christi23: As of is only telling the system it needs to finish processing your return by that date. If all your other codes are good and just waiting for the 846, you should be ok. Regardless if you are a PATHer or not, your transcripts won’t process and release your refund without the 846.
@Christi23: You’re under the path hold until the 15th. 16th is a holiday so no processing, 17th will be double processing (elongated day) and the 18th, your transcripts will update, most likely. We are thinking Feb. 23rd for daily path refund dates and Feb. 25th for weeklies for refund dates.
@Amy19: so the date of 2/16/26 should be correct then right.
@Christi23: 03 means you are a daily. Are you waiting for the PATH? If so, you will not have the 846 with the funds release date yet.
@ClaimingMyKindleAsADependent: did anyone answer your question?
@needmymoneynow: I agree!
For those uploading to ChatGPT or other AI, or for those recommending it
That’s essentially the same as handing out your information. These AI platforms index what you upload to them unless you have set very strict security settings to prevent that (which most don’t even know exist nor do they know how to do).
It’s NOT a good idea to share that information, even if you’ve “blacked out” or otherwise hidden some of the material as systems are smart and so are the bad people behind them – they have their ways of finding what they need. You don’t want a mistake, like trying to check what your transcript means, to cause you to have your entire identity stolen!
@needmymoneynow: it gives the exact dates and codes under that except no 846 code
@Christi23: Look at the Record of Account transcript. You should see codes on it under “Transactions” – like 750 then amounts next to them. IF at the top of that transcript you have account balance negative you are owed money. When the 846 code is seen at the bottom under “Transactions” that is your official refund date. once that date posts to your transcript, the refund details are released from the IRS to your bank. If you have a non-traditional bank like Chime that releases early, you could see your refund anytime after that 846 posts to your transcript. If you have a traditional bank, you should see your deposit by the date listed next to the 846 transaction.
@Kimiswaiting: I have the exact codes and as of date except my number is 05052026
@Deano: do they not have the site to be able and check where our deposit is then? We will still get it 5 days early? Thats the only reason I use them.