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.
@Babbage: yours is more than likely going through Cross River Bank, However when you go to their site it’s no we Way of knowing if they have received it or not. Just keep an eye on your Bank account or whatever card you use.
Capital one just hit! 🥳
Chime hit!! I have the Bancorp chime. Good luck everyone! *sprinkles fairy dust*
@Tax time is not for the weak: I can’t access my transcript right now but are you asking if the previous years have present dates?
@Aliceinlove: do you have consistent DD set up for your chime account usually?
@Sweetbigcheese: makes sense why you don’t have it then. Don’t worry though it’s coming!!!
@Jesuismoi2: I have no light 🙄
So, I filed via turbo tax, fees taken out + 5 day early.
3/9 Refund Date for the 846 code. I notice that SBTPG does not have an account for me when I check there…
What’s the best guess on when DD will occur? My bank is a no hold bank. Thoughts?
Ok y’all who broke the IRS?
Limited Account Access Due to System Maintenance
Some services are undergoing maintenance and may be temporarily unavailable. For full access to your account, please come back on Sunday at 6 a.m. Eastern time. Even letters and notices are down!
@Sheila_33: Hi Sheila please do me a favor look for a message I had sent you and please try to answer thanks
@Jesuismoi2: so the light blinking definitely indicates that there is a deposit they received? And thank you again yea no child support or benefits checks lol
also so glad i paid my fees upfront this year so i’m not sure if i’ll get it earlier than than but we’ll see
@Jesuismoi2: no and I got mine on the 17th last year same day my transcript updated
@Honeybee82: dang. Thats the inky reason I pay for jh. Won’t be using them again. Thank you.
nvm my transcript loaded and i got an 846 for 3/09
@Mandie: I’m getting a blank page.
@Mandie: Almost everyone, the website has been overloaded and broken on and off since yesterday.
Anyone else getting an error message when trying to look at their transcript?
Varo, SoFi deposits starting.
Deposit just posted.. 03 cycle code, got 846 this morning. Current card
@Relief2020: glad to help!!! I was in a few studies with chime the past two years and helped to recommend and roll out new features. It’s probably your taxes if you don’t have child support or anything else that deposits. <3 happy for you!
@Sleepytootie:
Are you rehersing? LOL 🫣🫣
Pather here.
Still can’t log in to see my transcripts since this morning.
@Jennyb: Me toooo!!! I’m like hey please give us a chance to check to… SmhhI just want to check at least once but everyone crashing the system.. I give up!!! Congratulations to everyone that got lucky
@Jesuismoi2: wow I’ve had chime for years and I never knew this or paid attention to the light blinking green. So I’m curious now. I got my work deposit last Thursday but I went to check since you mentioned that and what do you know it’s blinking green in my direct deposit box says tomorrow estimated arrival. And I don’t know get paid again until
Next Thursday hmmmm I pray it’s my taxes. But I just got accepted 2/15th for my federal.
@Sleepytootie: has anyone got ddd ?
Deposits are dropping for path whoo hooo!!!
This morning, I SBTPG and they had my info, but I can’t get into my transcripts to see if I have a 846. The website must be crashed. I’ve been trying all day.
@Sweetbigcheese: do you usually use chime for direct deposit? I saw someone mention it’s only there if you have it set-up. Either way it’ll def be before 6EST. I got it at 5:19 on 2/19 last year.
@JJ not logged in: this Is what i want to know
@Jesuismoi2: oh okay I see! I have chime and I think I got my hopes up thinking it would come today. But I forgot I got an advance and fees taken out of refund so I think it might take a while
@Trinitydestany1: unfortunately, no. It usually takes 1-2 days before they ‘claim’ they receive our funds from the IRS – then an additional 1-2 days for them to deduct the fees and release the money to our banks. It’s been a few years since I’ve had fees and had to go through them, but if I remember correctly….I only ever got my deposit one day early because they take so long.
@Jesuismoi2: I don’t have a light at all lol oh well I figured it would be in there between 5 and 6 like last time I used FreetaxUSA also
Deposits are starting to hit, good luck y’all! :3
@JJ not logged in: OK! Thanks for responding. Hope you get your DD soon. :)
@Sabrina Rae: nope I used free tax USA. I did mention that on another website that someone mentioned already receiving their deposit around noon today into a citizens bank account.
@Jesuismoi2: that’s not true. My light is always blinking.
@Jesuismoi2: did your refund go through republic bank? I can’t remember if it was you that I saw mentioning republic bank.
Are all of the updates done for the day. So anyone who was getting 846 has already gotten them until the next update?
Scroll down on the chime app homepage. And on the left side, you’ll see direct deposit. In one of the squares. If the light is solid, that means that you have gotten paid recently. If it is blinking, that means that you have an incoming deposit that will be deposited within roughly 2 hours.
Sorry idk how to post pics here. Will you walk and also google “blinking green light in chime app “and it’ll show you examples.
@OhioBred87: i have the same issue.. called and spoke to a rep and he said give it 45 days there’s nothing to do but wait.. how long did u have to wait when this happened in 2022?
@Ash1524: I did unfortunately, I shouldn’t have. I’ve been reading horror stories about CRB
@Jesuismoi2: what’s the blinking green light 🤔
@Jesuismoi2: I have chime where is this blinking light at? Also my chime hit at 550 pm last year to the day
@Ashbri032485: I Ty s cross river bank if you not on the SBTPG, do you remember if you happen to choose the 5 day early option?
@Mavrik: Everyone is trying to log in at the same time.
@Honeybee82: does it not pay out as fast when they used republic?
Got the blinking green light in my chime app!!!! Letssss gooooo. It means a deposit is finalizing and on its way asap.
I finally got my trans to load and, while still blank, the as of date shifted from 2/16 to 2/23.
Does that even really mean much?