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.
Also yall. PATHER here 03 daily got my 846!!! But it’s says 3/9 which is realllllyyyy far out never had it be this far out. Accepted 1/22 test batch. I bank with chime.
A beautiful update I have 846 code 02/09/2026
@Skywatcher23: me too!!
Okay I spoke too soon!!! 846 just arrived
I just got my 846! 🍾
Just got my 846 yay
@TXBAMA: everything is there but the first page that’s the one that shows you to codes and the 846 code that I do not have yet it hasn’t quite finished updating I’m sure happy to see that transcript
@Gwen315: I’m just taking an educated guess at this the 16th was President’s Day so you probably got pushed to yesterday or today otherwise I don’t know
@Deano: hi! Are you able to see all of your transcripts?
@MomOf7Sons:
You’re most Welcome 🙂
Cycle code 07/03
As of date 3/2
No 846 yet Return has not finished the first code page still stating no return file the other pages are filled in all is good Darn
I’m happy to see this today 🙂
Anyone with processing date for this week gotten their refund yet? My processing date was 2/16 and welp I’m here with no clue on what’s going on.
@Deano: thank you , I never understand. So I don’t need to check either site until Friday ?
@Mrs. P(not signed in): Yep, but ir seems like the updates are back to their regular overnight schedule this time unfortunately.
@Kimberly90:
It’s not quite finished updating but no 846 yet But the transcripts all there I filed on the 02/05
@ErisedMai: I guess last year got us spoiled cause the 846 came about 9ish that night.
@Mrs. P(not signed in): its still early, we are seeing peoples transcripts become available and their transcripts populating.. 846s should come later
@Deano: to the 846
@Mrs. P(not signed in): exactly I’m not even sure if anybody updated yet they probably have to wait to 3:00 in the morning to see
@Mandie: Turbo tax started taking from state this year for many people.
Not one 846… what the heck is the irs doing
Hey everybody my transcript just populated just now
@TaxTimeBaller: my husband is just like this haha! he loves his salmon dinners from there
@Mommatam6: the fees will be taken from your federal refund. the only reason it would be taken from your state is if the federal wasn’t enough to cover the fees and even then i think you’d have to pay manually. even when my state came first (two years ago when i had to id verify), i kept getting emails from tt that i had a deadline to pay the fees because my federal hadn’t come in yet. but i got my entire state refund amount.
@MomOf7Sons:
You would update late night Thursday into Friday morning 🙂
@MomOf7Sons: You are weekly schedule 1 2 3 4 is daily
Hello does anyone know what cycle code 0505 is ? Processing date of 2/23 as of date 3/02
🤣
Bout to make it rain up in Red Lobster soon. 🦞🤑💵
@Mommatam6: That is correct.
A ton?! Sorry sbtpg
If I got my state refund and a ton took my fees out of that then there’s no need for them to receive my federal correct?
Transcripts are being updated. Should see a lot of updates around 1:45 am
@CrazedinGA: my wife also got her GA refund on Chase now we’re also waiting on the 846
@Kimiswaiting: just transcript for me is unavailable
Path message for 2 weeks 0505 weekly cant access my transcripts
Just tried wmr and transcripts are both unavailable
Hey IRS show us the Money 💲💲💲💲💲🎉🎉🎉🎉
My GA state refund just hit my chime card. Just waiting on that 846.
Where’s my refund
@Honeybee82: hello Honeybee. I have been coming on and off and I think this is the first time I saw you. It’s action now. This is my 8th year here. Not logged into my account. You and Sheila and a few others really helped out on this site over the years. Hope all is well.
When will the Path people start seeing approvals?
@Confused in ohio: we’re hoping they start updating at any point tonight, through tomorrow morning. Typically, it’s only dailies who update Tuesday night into Wednesday – but they might do a mass update for everyone. We won’t know for sure until later tonight, into tomorrow 😊
What is the latest time transcripts will update
@JJ not logged in
Yeah they fumbled last year really bad, and there isn’t a fee if you have it put in credit karma account. Let’s just hope this year is different.
@Spartan86: we’ll see if that’s true this year. Because last year it said the same thing and only a fraction of ppl seen the money within those 5 days. Also it mentions something about having money loaded on a card as well in that verbiage
@JJ not logged in: Yes I saw last year a lot of people were upset because the 5 day was canceled. Hopefully will be better this year. But I did get mine the 5 days early with fees taken out last year.
@JJ not logged in
If you read the terms and conditions for 5 days early. It says up to 5 days early so even if you get it the day before your ddd they still charge and yes you can do it if you have fees taken out of your refund.
@Michelle P: also I actually went back and read the small print many don’t read including me and it says that about upfront fee payments and those who have them deducted.
@Michelle P: well that could be so but for most of the folks they didn’t get it. That included me. It was a disaster last year
Mane, it will hit tomorrow around 11am. I’m empathetic and highly intuitive. Tapped in to tomorrow’s frequency and felt the feeling of getting that notification. Don’t worry, all will be alright.
@JJ not logged in: Probably not but I didn’t file with Turbo and the company I went with did use them as a messy 3rd party and I just can’t stand em. They always in the way tryna show stop lmao 🤣🤣
@JJ not logged in: That isnt true. I always get my funds deducted from my refund. I did the 5 day early last with fees taken out and got it 5 days early.
@IEBaby951: they making money off our money.
SBTPG irritates my soul. They need to be sued for holding our money longer than needed.
@IEBaby951: I didn’t think turbo tax used SBTPG any more. I thought they switched to a different bank
Who all get the tax loan and now your irritated because you know SBTPG is gonna play and hold it forever.
@NotTheMomma: oh wow! I’ve been filled in since the 6th! But I never update with dailies however, I did move from a 0605 to an 0505 this year. Not sure if that matters any but I love to be optimistic 😉
Everyone must remember if you paid your tax prep fees upfront then you will get it 5 days early. If you are using you refund to pay your tax prep fees then you are not eligible for the 5 days early option even if you choose it.
@NotTheMomma: been filled out 2 weeks as well. Would be nice. I did one test receive mine on the 16th and have always been a weekly, there’s always hope, where there is life there is hope otherwise, the bathroom is have planned to redo at my Mommas will still be there when they hit lol
@Confused in ohio: me either! I’ve been stuck on code 150 and 768 for weeks! I am a pather and cycle code 03
I can taste the money…it’s coming…and it’s sweet like Belgium chocolate :>
@mnwilliams: Heyyyyy! Yes, it’s so exciting! Even if it’s not me! Hah. Ya never know, they could always do a mass update and slip us in there! 🤞
No 846 for me yet☹️
@CYRUS: are you path?
@CYRUS: I got .57 cent on chime and about $2 on greendot ! You balling 😂😂
@Devylwahaylo: @PAPatherPlus4: I see yall 05ers like myself My transcripts have been filled in for two weeks now and when that happens Once Path lifts I up date with DDD with daily’s Not sure of you all trans I have my fingers toes legs eyes and toes crossed 🤪
I have 846… DDD 2/19… so much for getting your refund 5 days early lol.
Still no refund. I have 17 dollars.. 🥹💁🏼♂️
@NotTheMomma: it’s me lol! And I won’t see a thing until Friday but it’s still so exciting the way it just exploded with happy taxis 😂 I thoroughly enjoy the celebration every year 🥳