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.
Can someone tell me what this means? My acct transcript says code 846 refund issued with a date 3/9/2026 will it be that long when they deposit my refund?
@Sweet pea: Mine says that too and I got my deposit this evening.
Can someone tell me what this means I am a panther account transcript says code 846 refund issued 3/9/26 is it gonna be that long before they deposit my refund?
@DarrenJ: From my understanding some 05’s could be daily.
@My Name: I appreciate you putting my mind at ease! I was beginning to freak out a bit. Ty 😊
@Sheila_33: Okay. Thank you. I’ve been a weekly for years after having to ID verify.
@ASDMamaBear: Something like that happened in 2023 with sbtpg but once they received our refunds it updated to the correct amounts
I filed TurboTax 5 day early CK and advance 1/26 accepted the same day. No 846 Sbtgp does not have my money. So Monday it is
Im so stressed why my “payment” from sbtpg would be thousands less even with fees and advances paid out. I don’t have an offset and it shows on my transcripts the correct amount and shows correct on the sbtpg “expected federal refund”. Ughhh
@DarrenJ: I am 0505 and I updated today! Waiting on Credit Karma or whatever to give me that ching ching xD
@Bren: that’s a good question. Lol I am 0505 as well and I updated to 846 today 😅
Called SBTG phone number. Says I have paid all my dues to TT . They sent the remaining to my Credit Karma account. Does anyone know how long it takes to show up in my account????? Automated when I called BTW
..
@The.P.Diddler: I thought 05 didn’t update until Friday? Now I’m really confused but congrats 🎉
Aha, deposit for me! Took a nap after work and boom. It’s coming!
I just got my return. Out of nowhere. Wasn’t supposed to get until 3-92026 anyone else get theirs??
@Laci: i know😒
@Bren: You are a daily.
@ShaneF84: Its possible its just adjusting for the next update. I haven’t been able to check mine but I’m betting its done the same.
@Just-curious111: been saying current is fastest ever..even when NetSpend had its good days..
@Sheila_33: Thank you so much.Good luck to you as well
@Tia: Early Friday morning.
Ok Wells Fargo wth 😭
Come on Chase! Ching Ching me 🤑
I can’t log in to my id me account online says high volume I just want to look at my transcript….. geez.
@RonnieF.: taxes you already paid in through your work checks….
I’ve seen and heard from a few people that they got theirs today with the 5 days early so thought I’d mention that to give some hope to those of us still waiting… maybe the 23rd will actually be the day we get our $$$. 🤞Thanks to everyone on this site for all your help year after year! Appreciate ya’ll greatly! 🤝👏❤️💰
@Destined83: sorry meant to add I filed and was accepted on the 5th
@Destined83: yes I just got my dd in my account this afternoon. I got updated to 846 codes this morning. Processing date 3-2-26 and cycle 20260601
Does SBTPG deposit early? Or will it be on Monday?
Hi everyone, I just wanted to let those of you know if you’re using Current be sure to check your account because my refund hit a 330 today Est and I didn’t get notified by the app at all for some reason!
I just logged in after seeing all the good news of DDs on here and boom there it was! My transcripts just updated this morning to 846. I filed 2/5 so this was incredibly fast. Congratulations to everyone so far and Good luck to all those still waiting! It’s coming dont stress too much!
@Bren: I will keep you updated, so far nothing showing for him
Is there anyone who was accepted on Feb 5th who received a deposit?
@Jojo2: Someone post it that they use the founda early feature and recede deposit today with wells fargo, my son has wells fargo and haven’t received his deposit yet, but he didn’t use the 5 days early feature
@Bianca (not logged in): Did you pay for the 5ndays early feature?
@Tia: hi it usually is Thursday night into Friday mornings and on Saturday on wmr with a ddd if that helps
FYi. Trans this mourning showed DDD of 3/9 But just hit my WM Money Card ! They are DD right now.
Has anyone that got 846 for 3/9 have Wells Fargo or JH serve card gotten a deposit yet ?
@Silentwatcher26: did JH filed on 1/28 and accepted the same day. Got code 846, so just waiting for it to hit the card
Is the next transcript update starting Thursday night or Friday morning?
@Bianca (not logged in): Oh Ok! Thanks for replying to me and congrats.
SBTPG said my deposit pending for Feb 23.
@ShaneF84: filed 1/22 and accepted 1/22. I don’t ever check transcripts but wmr is still on one bar.
Congrats to those who’s DD hit 👏 i have Varo and still waiting fingers crossed
@Chicagohound18: I hope we get ours today too! I’m going to try not to run my nerves so I’m going to check again in an hour lol!
@sheila_33
What does it mean when i had a date of 2/23/2026(not ddd) as a pather but a week plus later it changed to 3/02/2026 today?
I have the good codes outside of 846.
Is that good? Bad?
@ccee2356: IRS transcripts just haven’t updated. They will soon. I know people in the same boat as you are
@Apple tree145: I will keep you updated if my status changes.
@Michelle P: I’ll be watching for ya to comment you got it lol. I’ll do the same!
@Silentwatcher26: I’m with jj and still waiting!!! Nothing in angry only the advance fees taken out I tried to call but the phone won’t take my info
@Chicagohound18: call the number for sbgts
@Bianca (not logged in): Congrats! When did you file? Im a pather too and file 1/26 and was accepted same day.
It had 2/23/2026 for past week(not DDD) and today it changed to 3/02/2026.
Any reason?