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.
@Momof4Indy: when did you get your 846?
Anyone else have a 570 code and also 180 day message on wmr and it fix itself this tax season yet?
@Kira521: I myself just checked again still says unfunded. My DDD 2/19 this is crazy. I’m in Illinois. But I called SBTPG and my money was sent to my bank.
PSA.. everyone waiting on SBTPG, call them (877) 908-7228. They received just not showing onsite. Sent to my bank already
@Itsthattimeagaincyn: I do 🙁
@lori1985: nope tried that too still says unable to load
@OLTFREEFILER: have u been able to check yours yet??
Transcripts won’t load
Does anyone get there direct deposit through republic bank? I have chime so I’m hoping I get my deposit pretty quick, but I know it has to go through republic first. Anyone have any experience?
@MonixaM: @MonixaM: thx for that… may i ask when did you have a 971? and how did you do the recert of eic?
Ugh still getting an error message when trying to open my transcript.
@Newman: that is strange to say the least but hopefully Sheila is right and it’ll update tomorrow
@Sheila_33: system down i will have to check i have only been checking my account transcripts
@Nia_1028: I had a 971 and got recert of eic so I don’t have to file a 8862 next time. But I got the 846 today
@texasmomof3: thank you! I was getting a little worried lol I too signed up this year to get emails.
@Momof4Indy: you will get it 3 days earlier
@TheMadness21: Thank you 😊
@Sheila_33: I’m not sure. I’m going to check now thank you for responding
Good morning everyone, I hope everyone is well this beautiful morning. I have a question for the people who using a service card and a refund are going through SBTPG. Would anyone know the time of day it’ll change to funded?
Got the wonderful 846. I have Venmo but first year using it. Anyone know how they work with deposits?
@Nia_1028: Are your w2s showing on the wage transcript yet? If they’re not, then they be trying to verify them.
Hello everyone.. for the first time i’m a daily in 10yrs and for the first time i recieved a 570 and 971 codes.. i filed early and still have the PATH message on WMR but my transcripts updated today with a 971 code.. anyone else with this issue or similar? Pleaseeee helppp. Nothing in my return is different from privious years, just new address and employer, I filed a 1040
@Eddie not logged in…..I was arguing with someone about this last week. In the past I would see the exact day of deposit on my transcript and the next day the WMR would confirm that. But it didn’t do it this year and I also looked back on my prior year transcripts and the dates on there have also changed on all the years
@Eddie not logged on: To be honest, I’m not sure why that is. I’m assuming after they made changes to the transcript format, then its possibly applicable to the previous ones.
@Sheila_33: I received a 570 and a 971 code for the first time ever claiming the same credits every year just a new address and employer. same dependents.. so confused what the letter could be..
Are transcripts updating?
@Sheila_33: I have a question. I’ve seen folks state that they had DDD of 03/10 last year and got it before the 24th. I have a screenshot I took of my transcripts last year and had a DDD of 02/24 however I checked it again this morning and now it says 03/10 for last years. Any idea why that may be?
@@ashbri032485: this Is what happens to me last year but this year my as of Is still 03/02 hopefully friday
Also, my deposit always hit around noon to 1230pm for cash app
The last 4 years I have received my refund exactly 17 days before the “refund issued” date that showed on my transcripts 846 line. It’s also always been on Friday. This year mine says 3/9 so I will likely receive in 2 days on Friday the 20th. I’m a PATH and cycle 04.
I can’t log in for some reason.
Got my 846 and the date says 3/9. How odd! But hopefully the 23rd! 🙏🏼😩
My bank would hold it until the date.
@ME: the transcript shows March 9th but I’m pretty sure we will receive the funds on the 23rd. It definitely wouldn’t be March 8th
Last year my funds came on 2/19/25 at almost 4pm used capital one 5 days early and didn’t pay fees up front
Hi, It’s been a few years that I’ve used SBTPG…..but in the past I seem to remember it hits the SBTPG account the day prior for what my WMR says then its in my bank on the day the WMR says. I’m a 2/19 and don’t see any funds in my SBTPG account. It has the last 4 of my bank account so it does look like my refund will be flowing through there. Can anyone else speak to this? Has the process changed in the past year or 2?
Irs website has Service Outage: February 19th
This service is currently unavailable. Thank you for your patience.
They must be updating for 846
Service Outage: February 19th
This service is currently unavailable. Thank you for your patience.
damn
@VaGal07: do you know if SBTPG releases funds on the weekend? My DDD is Monday, so if they typically release the day before the DDD – that would be a Sunday for me. I wasn’t sure if that meant I could maybe expect it Friday or over the weekend, or if they would wait until Monday.
@PAPatherPlus4: so does that mean they don’t hold it til the last minute?
@Relief2020: my son received the same email this morning about status update, his info hasn’t changed, it’s also was loading properly and I believe all can’t see the status update because of the outage. I signed him up to receive an email when his status change. I guess this is one of the new features offered.
@Anointedkg: no march 8th
@VaGal07: ok, by chance would you know a number that I can request a new one? I’ve tried doing it the way it says on here and it doesn’t work.
Do you guys think republic will receive my funds today ? My ddd says 3-9. I’m not sure when I should check the website to see if they took their fees yet
@Jerseygirl02: They better be getting em fixed. 🤣
@Helpplz: I think you have to have that paper since it has a control number on it. Or so I’ve read other people say.