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: good morning Sheila do we know if the system is down went to try and check my transcripts again and it’s saying they are unavailable try again later?
My transcripts has DDD OF 03/02 BUTWHERE’SMY REFUND SAYS FEB 19TH.SO WHAT DAY WILL I GET IT ?
For all those wondering: seems this year is 1 day earlier than last. 846 was issued last year for 3/10. DD was funded onto my serve card on 2/19 @ 6:31pm. When WMR updated, it said it was sent on 2/24. So I’m hoping it’ll be tonight I will see funds. Jh is going through SB this year, so here’s hoping.
Got an update with a refund date of 2/9 which is odd cuz that’s damn near 21 days.. idk at this point 🤷🏽♂️
As of date is still 2/23
@Jerseygirl02: Y’all need to leave those transcripts alone🤣
I got an 846 last night and the date shows 3/9, but it’s always a date that’s later than my actual deposit. I don’t think that date is important.
@Jerseygirl02: Transcripts unavailable for me too. Have tried a few times but can’t seem to get in. Too many people checking probably – and possibly still updating too! (fingers crossed they’re updating still for those who haven’t updated yet!)
@Shanshan22!: I pray so too🤞🏾🙏🏾
@Sheila_33: yes ma’am I will
Good morning, everyone!
congratulations to all the dailys that have updated to the most anticipted code of all time ‘846’! LOL
I am a weeklie, and just tried checking my transcripts and they are unavailable. I wonder if they are still updating or somehow we managed to break the system, agian?? LMBO!
@Relief2020: They may not be finished updating for the day. You might check again in a bit. Updates seem to come in waves on those transcripts.
@MommaLee89: I’m in the same boat hope we update soon. I’m cycle 03 to in have the 570 code.
@Tered: nope. It takes the longest
@NODEGA1: With a no holds bank, you definitely can. I’ve done the same. Let us know if you see it today and congratulations!
@Sheila_33: I always have my deposit in my account before WMR ever updates. WMR still shows Received but I got the 846 code with 3/9 date this morning.
@MommaLee89: If they can get it internally resolved, those path codes are going to release it, so you could update any time. Your Wmr messaging might change in the morning, to reflect that hold, though. Keep us updated please
@Tetetete: some people with 3/2 as of dates got their 846 this morning so I think more of us will Friday morning
Good morning. Got. An email from irs at 5 am saying to log in to my account that I have a status update but I log on and nothing different. Transcripts blank please help
@Tered: No
@Sheila_33: still have this stupid 570 code and I’m a 03 and walking the path. No letter in sight😩
No update for me😔still have the stupid 570 code and I’m a 03 smh no letter in sight
Refund issued 3/9 does that mean they send on that day that’s a long time
@Chelle90: don’t panic – you’re an “05” cycle that means you’ll update later in the week (you’re a weekly and mostly only dailies will update today
@NODEGA1: ok. Thank you. That gives me some hope.
Morning guys…trying not to stress out here…
Filed 1/28 accepted 1/29
0605
All good codes and original ddd that turbotax gave was 2/19
Still no 846…
Should I panic yet?
Anyone filed and accepted 2/10, get any kind of update? Irs.gov shows that my return was not filed, WMR updated 2/10 saying it’s been received. Only showing blank 2025 account transcript and 2025 wage transcript shows my wage info.
My 846 code also has 3/9. Is this the ddd? Im so confused. Will there be a different date when wmr updates???
Good Morning, I am an 0505 and updated to 846 this morning. My as of date was 2/16 and processing date was 2/23 if that makes a difference
@Verarizona23: correct my says 3/9 not 2/23.
@Veraizona: My assumption is if the deposit isn’t made by that date, it triggers the treasury to send a check. IRS changing it up this year.
@MzB81: same. My ddd on transcripts say 3/9 but then I hear dates of 2/23. Then I was told I wouldn’t get til the 3/9
@Sheila_33: I’m confused so the 3/9 date on our transcripts is not our ddd? 2/23 is?
I just got into my transcripts. Filed and approved 3/2/2026, Got 846 code today with deposit date of 3/9/2026. Yesterday it showed a date of 2/23/2026 but It didn’t have the 846 by it so I guess that wasn’t my deposit date. SO maybe it will be here next week??