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.
@KB: Thank you.
For everyone that has been locked out of wmr tracker to see if you have moved to a second bar, you can still access it from where you access your transcript. Also I signed up for email notifications, and it does work! Also with capital one I haven’t gotten mine 2 days early it always comes on the day of. My DD is 2/23! God bless!
@Toni B: That was fast! Congratulations!
@Sheila_33: 20260605
@Sheila_33: Good morning. I updated with the 846 code yesterday. I filed February 12th. None of my transcripts were filled except my wage transcript before I updated yesterday. I am an 0703 and I am a pather eventhough I did not have the message. My as of date was 03/09. This morning I checked my account and my deposit was in my account. My deposit date was February 23, 2026. I bank with BancorpSouth.
@Sheila_33: thanks, I’ll keep you guys posted and I appreciate the insight.
I think us 0505 will update tonight into the morning
@Ricki_Tavi: Congratulations! And thanks for sharing that cycle code.
I filed my return 1/14 and was accepted the next day. I had to verify my return which I do last Monday 2/9. My transcripts still has all 0’s and my as of date changed from 2/16 to 2/23 yesterday. Has anyone had to of verify and have or has not updated yet? Cycle 0605
@Matt7650: Knock it off, you’re not a pain lol. My belief is that the system is going back and checking for things, like credits due or debts owed. And then, it updates. We saw a lot of that yesterday. And another possibility is the fact the transcript system went down and everything had to reformat because some dailies (not mentioning names, you know who u are,lol) overloaded the transcripts.
Good morning friends! I woke up to the
846 code With the DDD 3/9 and as of date 3/9. Processing date is 3/2. Cycle
Code is 0605. I also bank with chime so I’m guessing maybe the 25th.
Good luck my friends, it’s almost over.
Just hang in there. Also WMR is still on the path message. 🍀 🤞🏾
@Sheila_33: Great morning! I’m apart of the 0605 squad, my transcript updated with 846 shortly after midnight. As of date went from 3/2 to 3/9. Hopeful my deposit comes before the weekend.
@Sheila_33: sorry for being a pain lol. I appreciate your insight. What are your thoughts as to why all my transcripts for like the last 5 years changed to the as of date 3/9/26 not just this years transcript?
@Sd47: If it doesn’t update tomorrow, there may be an issue so lets see what happens then. Keep us updated please.
Just checked transcripts and I woke to a 846 DDD 3/9. PATHER filed 1/26 using Free File Tax Act. I have Capital One so hoping for a early deposit. Last year my DDD was 3/10 and bank statements showed deposit in my account 2/24. I am also a 05er
Just checked transcripts and I woke to a 846 DDD 3/9. PATHER filed 1/26 using Free File Tax Act. I have Capital One so hoping for a early deposit. Last year my DDD was 3/10 and bank statements showed deposit in my account 2/24.
Good Morning, I filed through turbo tax and was accepted on Feb.5. I just finish checking my form 1040 account transcript and everything is still $0 and blank under transactions “No tax returned filed”. Any help on whats going on. I see most people here get updates within 1 week etc. Any need to be concerned?
@Sheila_33 Hey I had a question. I got accepted feb 7 and my transcript says return not filed and wmr is on one bar. Should I be concerned? I have ctc and eic. Thanks in advance.
@Unruly: Thank you for sharing. Much appreciated ☺️