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.
Not logged in but I just updated to and 846 cycle code 20260605 filed and accepted 2/3 TT. 846 for 3/9
@BrokeinIN: I’m shocked. I have never been apart of the first wave. I always updated on Friday mornings.
@MrsStingel2016: i just checked mine. Earlier this morning there wasn’t a change.
You guys must either have been 05 dailies or you switched to 05 dailies. Have you all been weeklies for a long time?
I just updated to 846 for 3/09/26. I checked around 10:30 p.m. and it wasn’t there. I guess my DDD is 2/23/26 or 2/24/26 ?
My id.me isn’t letting me sign in it says something isn’t right is anyone else having this problem?
@Rogreen: @BrokeinIN: Did you guys just check your transcripts or was this earlier?
@Rogreen: same here
My cycle number 20260605 I am normally a weekly. My as of date changed to 03/09/2026, process date 03/02/2026 and I got code 846 DDD 03/09/2026. I filed 02/02/2026 accepted same day.
0605 weekly, just posted 846 for 3-09-26, why so far away?
Last year I had an as of date a week and a half before my ddd date so now mine is 3/2 so hoping in the morning 😭
@WASTATEGIRL24: Thurs into friday
Can yall remind me. Do transcripts update for weeklies on Thursday?
So just looked at my previous years account transcripts and they all have 12.22.2025 on them as there as of date is that normal. My brothers has 3.2.26 on all his previous years why is mine at 12.22.25 on all my previous years transcript
I bet there’s a LARGE amount of people probably up waiting for the first post that says “MY TRANSCRIPTS JUST UPDATED”! lol
@G: Think we will update tonight into the morning? Or Friday
I’m cycle 03
I’m expecting to have my money close of business Friday if I update Thursday night
What really amazes me about the refund this year is how fast they are hitting accounts. My wife got her 846 wee hours Wednesday and this evening she got her deposit. I hope mine is that fast
@NettaB: i think ITS down again
@LootieRGV956: thank you I did that but it’s not opening for me for some reason
@DiddlySquatter: mine was the same way. I did if verification on Saturday. More it showed no return on file, along with Zeros across the board. But my as of date is March 2. I usually update on Saturday on the irs website, and have my money the next Wednesday.
@NettaB: just click on view tax records. It’ll show up with previous years . Click on En where it says transcripts. It should open
So just looked at my previous years account transcripts and they all have 12.22.2025 on them as there as of date is that normal. My brothers has 3.2.26 on all his previous years why is mine at 12.22.25 on all my previous years transcripts
Hi how are everyone seeing transcripts when I click on the year it does nothing for me but jump back
@El mariguas: credit karma has to be soon
20260605 process date 03-02, as of 03-02, all good codes pather waiting for 846
Finally got it!!!! Good luck everyone!
@PAPatherPlus4: so far nothing on credit karma
@Walter DOG: Thanks Walter and Sheila love ya almost passed out. You’re right went through this stuff last year.
@CaliColohoma: im starting to wonder if it’s JH and serve. I’m not seeing much about TT and Credit Karma
@Kenny G: Also WMR still shows one bar.
turbotax help
@PAPatherPlus4: yea through SBTPG. Filed with JH on the first day of efile. Pather. Wasn’t expecting anything until next week. I did the December loan and refund loan
Wow this was a different year.
Filed 2/3 pather
Went to path msg 2/13
Recvd Refund 4 hours ago cash app
I used tt and they normally charge around 40 bucks to pay upfront. This year no option to pay but was able to use cash app as my preferred deposit.
Im amazed thjs year
is it safe to say there will be no more transcript updates tonight, we are to wait until Thursday night until Friday early morning….?
@Tati: Usually overnight Thurs thru Friday evening
@savor: You need to go to the it’s website for your tax info, we can’t see it
03 and I have 864 codes, same DDD as everyone
@CaliColohoma: through SBTPG?
Does anybody know if we’re updating at midnight tonight or is it going to be Friday
Does anybody know if there’s going to be some updates at midnight towards tomorrow in the morning
hello, i am trying to check my tax refund status
@Tax time is not for the weak.: all your transcripts got the same as of date that is bad real bad just kidding mine and a most everyone who is weekly is like that same as last year stop worrying unless you like grey hair
@Miss Dallas: it probably won’t be released for me until 2/23 though but that’s fine.
Hey guys I filed 2/13 would be a pather but I filed closer to path lift. I received an email from IRS stating my WMR has been update at 5am this morning. When I check WMR it still says return received. Does anyone knows what this means? Do I just need to wait till tomorrow for it to update ? Maybe since it update at 5 it was past the update time? Please help
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: Friday? Pretty sure mine updated Thursday?
@DiddlySquatter: All your weekly updaters Friday about 1:45 to 2:00 a.m. Check your transcripts
Jh serve card just got mine.
Good luck everyone! See you next year!
@DiddlySquatter: I believe you’re going to happen the same way I did it’s going to stay zeros until Friday and when it does populate it’ll come back with the issue code 846 Best Wishes 😎
@DiddlySquatter: well glad I could help! I hope you do update with us Friday and welcome to the weekly club where the only thing we know for sure is that we update Friday mornings.