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.
@Jersey girl: thanks Jersey!
@Blindian goddess: Have you tried contacting your local congressman?
I am still impatiently waiting for my tax refund from last year. I filed 3/4/2025, I still have not received my refund or even a letter from the IRS every time I call them all they say is ‘it’s under review’ in about 3 weeks it will be a year since filing. This is completely insane. I called a TA and submitted the paperwork for a TA I was told they are about 3 months behind in assigning TA’s. Due to the my return being under review I was told I couldn’t even request for a TA until 1/23/26 which is wait I didn’t but now I have to wait about 3 months to get assigned to a TA
@Soccermom11: I don’t know but we are definitely a Piggyback State for State refunds.
@jersey girl How can republicans bank send a text saying they have both? This is so frustrating.
@Soccermom11: New Jersey is a Piggyback State they don’t start issuing state refunds until after March 1
Today I saw an update on my return transcripts they’re filled in and I see an 846 with a date of 32 on the bottom New Jersey state refund doesn’t even show that it has it but later on today after that I received a text from Republic bank saying that my state and my federal income tax return was received and they would send send it within the next business day. Does that sound like something that happens?
@Lisa Marie: they sent a letter in the mail
@Sheila_33: thank you I will check now
@Walter DOG: good afternoon 😁
I updated last night into this morning with codes 150,806,766,768 I’m so happy I didn’t get hit with that id verify I’ve had to do it 6 out of the last 8 years even with having a IP pin looks like a sailed right through this year. Thanks to you and Sheila for easing my nerves y’all rock and y’all give 💯 knowledge I’ve been a long time igmr user and every year y’all are spot on and lil tiger. Or something like that lol I know she knows the banking stuff pretty well
@littles16: The only way you’d be able to tell this year is if you update to an 846 on transcripts this Wednesday. Daily 05s process with the weeklies but they can update anyday, not have to wait til Thursday.
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: You’ll need to look at the 2024 return to see if theres any present dates or codes, if that’s the amended year.
@sheila_33 if taxes is owed from a previous amended return, where will that amount show on the transcript? Also on the website it shows amount owed for 2025: 0.00
My 2025 transcript has populated but is blank. I’m a Weekly, is there anyway there could be another update today or I would have to wait until next Friday?
I was curious if anything would change for dates on mine even though my codes already populated on my transcripts. My cycle code and processing date both stayed at February 16th 2026 and the as of date stayed the same at the 23rd.
I’m usually a weekly, transcripts updated today with all codes except 846 !!!!! Wmr still has one bar but they don’t usually update until after I’ve received my refund. Things went by pretty fast this year… good luck to you all
How do we know if we are a 05 daily or weekly?
@Sheila_33: yes but not sure which one.
@Stressed about being stressed: I still have 2-16 no if verify tho how did you know?
Well no update for me. Still have a 2/16 date id verified last Saturday so now we wait