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: Nothing on transcript, said return not received, I believe. I checked his turbo tax account, it was filed and accepted 1/30/25. He did receive his State refund.
I’m just not sure which direction to tell him to go. There aren’t any notices on his account that were sent in regards to this, either.
@Broke_Momma39: Sounds like he may to call because if its not showing on his account, somethings not right somewhere.
@DebMom: if you are getting a letter you will be able to view it in the next 24hrs
One last question..will my transcript update with a code once my refund is kicked back to IRS? Thank you!
Also, it says no return was filed, but he did receive his State Refund.
@Sheila_33: I just looked at his account transcript, but it says no return was filed?
I have a copy of the downloaded and completed form from when he did his taxes last year.
@Dd: agreed
@Broke_Momma39: If you can access his tax account online, you might be able to look at last years transcripts and see if there are any codes with current dates on them that is keeping the refund from going on.
@irs.gov/gettranscript
@Broke_Momma39: Has he checked his transcripts for last year, if he did does it have any clue why its been held up? Also the 1040x should be available later this month, depending on what software you’re using.
@ErisedMai: thank you! I’ll try that. I don’t mind waiting because it was my fault 🤣 I just wanna get this process completed. Have a great day and hope pathers get processed!!
So tired of being an 05 weekly smh
I was helping my boyfriend do his taxes and he said he never received his federal last year. Sure enough, when we looked at wheresmyrefund, it was stuck on processing.
Any ideas what steps to take on this? What does he need to do to get his refund from last year as well?
Also, does anyone know when the amend feature will be available?
Thanks a bunch!
@Lin: But also, the IRS should either A. let you update your info or B. automatically send a check out when it bounces back
@Lin: I always go through the tax advocate number, and if they can’t help me they transfer you over to someone who can lol
I can’t get a live rep on the phone. Just an endless chat bot loop. My refund was sent to wrong account # and my refund is “sent back to IRS”. According to my bank they are who to speak about retrieving my refund. So I need a live agent to complete the process. How r y’all getting through :)
@texas77: Yay!! Keeping my fingers crossed for us!!
@BrendaLeigh: the same thing happened to me, I’m assuming they’re updating or the site is overloaded
@ErisedMai: thank you
@MichelleP: Found it—thank you so much! Somehow, I actually have two orders for the same day I filed. One says “payment canceled,” and the other says “payment complete.” :D That may have been when I kept having to maneuver through the site to get the advance offer to pop up.
Everyone needs to settle down. They are processing today. There’s a chance they could update tonight. But, if it gets overloaded, they’re going to go down like they did a few years ago with a mass update. Watch others comments here and on FB igmr. If you see a pattern, then you know they’re moving.
@texas77: under order details then look at where it says order status. If payment hasn’t been received it will say payment pending. My says payment complete.
Any 2/19 DDD been funded yet?