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.
@Jellybean: yes I am. From what I’ve seen it’s everyone that’s filed in NY
Checked my last year return I had processing date of 2/26 and 846 date 3/17 I checked my deposit last year I got it the 24th this year I have 2/24 and 3/7 hopefully I get it earlier again… how ever I got a car before I even filed my taxes through a 0 down tax program they take 2000 out your taxes immediately for the car down payment and they had they’d get there money 3/6 so hopefully 🤞🏾 fingers crossed
@Sheila_33: Hello how are you? You know i verified Monday morning.At that time I was only showing 2021 transcripts.Ive been checking everyday and it stayed 2021 until this morning.I check today now I can see all 2021 thru 2024..I hope it means im back into processing. We’ll hopefully.
@Celbabyy93: Yes your fine it’s the normal process I have been there for 8 days I filed on the 5th as well there’s a mass update tonight I believe it starts at midnight into tomorrow morning 🙂
Filed on the 5th I am a pather but I don’t have any 2025 transcripts up besides wages. I am a weekly but if i update tomorrow its prolly going to have jst the 2025 transcripts blank right?
@TaxTimeBaller: Yes I can bring it on IRS deposit deposit deposit and many more lol
Looking forward to the goodbye zeros party tonight I’m tired of a being a zero traders in for dollar signs 🎉🎉🎉😎
Can anyone else….TASTE THE MONEY?
@Stephen: you will soon see it fill in meaning they started working on it right now it’s showing blank being they just got to it but it is being processed next you’ll see things filled in pages added etc
Hey,I thought I was a weekly but as of date changed to 3-02..
did anybody get their refunds yet on their chime card
How’s everyone this tax season? Don’t really talk much the last few years but I’m always checking in, creeping the thread lol
@Beenhere12years: if you click it it will likely just say no return yet, or something along those lines. Mine has it too
Hey,
Isn’t my phone so can’t respond on the New York thread. Is anyone else still stuck on further review??
@Sheila_33: Thank you!
@Edward0502: 806 is your federal withholding amount. It likely matches an amount on your W2 or a 1099 if there was withholding on it (not always the case for a 1099)
Is it ok to have the word info next to 2025 where account balance is? I have good codes on my transcript so far
@Edward0502: Its normal. Its your withholdings.
I wouldnt pay for early deposit if you paid fees upfront it’s a waste of money. I’m a weekly and always get my DD on Friday so the 20th. Don’t pay fees upfront 3rd party pays out following Tues/weds. I always get my DD before WMR shows sent. Good luck everyone don’t waste money if you don’t have to.
Good morning.
I’m a PATHer and my transcripts have populated with an 806 code. Is that a normal code to have?
Filed 1/26 accepted 1/26. WMR on Path act message. Transcripts updated. All good codes no 846 yet. Showing my balance and an as of date of 3/02. But also showing a processing date of 2/23. Assuming the 23rd is my ddd?
Tiny bit of action lol. I’m a daily but also on path so nothing has been really doing much since I got codes of 150, 766, and 768 around 10 or so days ago but today my 2025 is finally showing on the return summary page. Still showing an as of date of 2/23/26.
@Kate: me but I am a pather
My transcript updated but I’m waiting for path to lift. I have the word INFO next to 2025 account balance. Is this normal?
@pathcankissmy
I think so. That is what I am hopeful for lol
Anyone else like me a late filer
Filed 2am on 2/9/26 and accepted on 2/10/26 no eitc or child tax or anything. Claimed 1 dependent but didnt qualify for rhe credit and paid 35 to turbo tax for 5 day early refund. So hoping on 2/18 I get Direct deposit
@Sheila_33: ok I will
@Walter DOG: oh ok. Got it. Hopefully its going to work like that for me too. Im getting impatient. Lol.
@Monee: Update me when she can see her messaging please.
@Sheila_33: she said its not letting her get into wmr all of a sudden. Her message was “we have recieved your tax return and it is being processed” yesterday
@Monee: on mine I had 2021 and when my transcript updated it went to 2024 and now it’s got my 2025 tax summary on there that’s how it worked for me and others as well
@Matt7650: no problem
@SoHAMI5: 9/10 times you are just waiting for path to lift, check back on the 18th for another update!
filed on 1/25/26 through turbo tax. fees already paid. i am a daily with cycle code 04, checked transcripts this morning and they are filled out for 2025 but no 846 since i have child tax credit and earned income credit. am i just waiting for PATH to lift next tuesday so i can get my direct deposit date? opted in for 5 days early through turbo tax and fees have already been paid.
@Stephen: thanks for the response. I’ll keep an eye on it while waiting for the letter still.