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.
Filed 2/15
Excepted 2/15
Been a weekly 05
One bar WMR
Transcripts not done can’t see 2025
I hope the processing goes fast and congratulations on everyone that has 846 and ddd woo hoo!! Now I’m waiting impatiently lol
I usually lurk but guys don’t stress I updated Tuesday early with a ddd of 3/9 and around 6:30-7 pm I had my funds. Sbtpg fees and advance etc to serve card
@Snaps: thanks man
@mystery347(not logged in): Can you let us know if SBTPG funds and deposits to your account today?
@Chicagohound18: I believe SBTPG provides a tracer # when they actually send your deposit to your bank…have you checked for that?
Is Wells Fargo just holding our money or what 😭
@Chicagohound18: SBTPG?
@Chicagohound18: When is your DDD? Please keep us posted on if you get funded and DD sent to your card! Im preparing for my DDD celebration tonight. It is gonna be a long day! lol
Madinjay you have a ddd and still not happy? While us 0505 getting skip
@Momof2inVA: Hopefully mines come today especially since they took the advance out yesterday. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the ones who got a deposit date but haven’t received their refund yet.
Jessky means you will get ur direct deposit by 3/9
@Sheila_33: I got accepted Feb 14th
Filed 1/27 accepted 1/28
Path Message
Transcripts updated to 846 DDD 3/9 wondering if it will be sooner
I dont understand what all of this means;
Cycle 20260404 Date 2-16-2026
846 refund issued Date 3-9-26
I filed in January but a PATHer
Hey if your a 0505, including myself,start checking after 12 midnight tonight, we all should update early in the morning. Please don’t panic, we will update tomorrow morning, after all updates are bigger on Fridays anyways, my friend works at the IRS and she said , it going to be a very very very big update tomorrow so just letting y’all know, so check tomorrow, don’t crash the IRS site so everything can update on time and smoothly, she said thanks allot.
@Idkidk12345: thats my question also. Im always 0505 but to see these other codes come before 0505
@Sheila_33: Good morning, from New Jersey. Question what is code 0505? Is it Daily or weekly
@Chicagohound18: yes I looked just now and it says funded, fees taken, and trace #.
Why are 0505 getting skip even 0605 are getting ddd of 3/9 while 05/05 still have the path message
@Chicagohound18: it would be great if we got it today but I’m just surprised how fast I got approved this year.
@Chicagohound18: I meant jh
@Blessed2bme89: I files with Ju and it’s saying the same thing for me too.
@Sheila_33: wow I changed then cause I’ve always been a weekly with a 0505 code and this year I’m a 0605 code. Weird how it did that. Well let’s hope and see WMR updates tomrrow with a DDD of 2/23 or 2/24. I hope so
@Nelson35: Depends on when you were accepted. The pattern seems to be acceptance, 0s and then refund dates. Since you updated to 0s yesterday, next week you may process again and update to a refund code.
@Momof2inVA: Does it says if your account was funded on sbtpg website? Because mines say unfunded but the advance fees has been paid back.
I meant to add…I filed with FreeTaxUSA.
@BeenLow: thanks for the cool vibes. I seriously develope anxiety this time of year.
@BeenLow: thanks for the cool vibes. I seriously develope anxiety this time of year. Lol
Anyone filed with jh with a green dot card(one pay card) receive their refund yet. ? Sbtgp is not showing anything but when called number it was sent to bank but doesn’t tell u a date and my advance loans have been paid back but haven’t paid jh for their fees as of yet.
@Sheila_33: Thank you for replying!!! I was thinking 7-10 weeks per google.
Hi all! I filed 2/4 approved same day NOT ON PATH but I did have my fees taken from my refund through SBTPG. My DDD was for 3/2 and I bank with Chime and it hit just now. I was shocked usually it’s the day of with SBTPG. So go check those accts on there. Just wanted to give someone some hope. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Last year they held it until the very day of my DDD.
@Jenny04: Yes ma’am. You’re a daily 05 and your refund date is most likely 2/24.
0505ers, look like we are up next. Hopefully we see movement tonight. Filled 01/15 accepted 01/16, pather. As of 03/02, with Ddd 02/23 (my bday), still no 846, but I know its coming. Wmr still has Path message and 1 bar
So yesterday I had no transcripts today it just says all 0’s what does it mean
@PAPatherPlus4: I still haven’t got my deposit yet. I called sbtpg and it says my amount I should get after they took their fees out and it says it was sent to my bank but it haven’t posted to my account and I have Chime my DDD is 2-23-26
@Sheila_33: might look like I’m a daily now cause my transcripts updated this morning cause I checked yesterday and I didn’t have the 846 code till this morning. So that means I’m a daily now with 0605 code, u think? I’ve always been a weekly for as long as I can remember. So u think WMR will update tomrrow with a DDD u think?
@Blessed mom of 7: It doesn’t seem like its causing any kind of delays for the deposit, so you should see your refund by 2/23.
Well you guys got the big 846 this morning!!! And WMR updated this morning with DDD of 2/23/26! Every year I get my deposit on 2/20 bank with cash app! Hope this helps you guys. BE COOL ITS COMING LOVE ONES
@Loddy Doddy: Those usually take around 10 to 12 days to be issued.
@Blessed mom of 7: mine said the same. But when I called they don’t have any offsets reported and I called sbtgp and it said they sent my refund to my bank
@Monee: Its possible since they are giving her 30 days to respond. Tell her to return it ASAP and she might process quicker. My daughter had one last year, we priority mailed it and she updated the next week. The other issue I’ve seen with that 810 is an audit, but if she’s not showing a 420, then she might be good. Good luck to her
Filed 2/3, accepted 2/3.
Cycle 0605 (always been a weekly)
Updated this morning to 846 for 3/9. Did 5 days early with Turbo tax, but nothing showing in SBTPG yet. I assume they will have it updated by later today or possibly tomorrow. Here’s hoping all the weeklies updated this morning 🤞
Good morning all!! Filed Feb 6th, Accepted Feb 11. Path filer, woke up with refund date of 02/28 this morning. My big question is, the account is now closed for refund to go into. What’s a guess of how long I may have to wait for a paper check? Money would have most likely hit my account by Saturday if open. Thanks for your time and good luck to all still waiting, it’s coming!
Hi guys updated yesterday with 846 DDD3/9/2026 I am 0503 daily i checked wmr and have a offset called the offset line and it says I have a offset deducted 2/23 when will my deposit be delayed by the department of fiscal services?
@Raymond: We know some 05s are dailies, I theorize 0605 is daily & 0505 weekly based on the recent update/posts but I’ve been pretty inactive this year so don’t hold me to it!
Great to see all the familiar names from over the years, and always good to see many new users.
0505ers hopefully we will update tonight into the morning. Fingers crossed.
@Sheila_33: Goodmorning. This morning my friend got a take action message saying she will be getting a letter requesting more information and to respond within 30 days of receiving the letter. Her transcript is updated with her codes now but the 810 is still there. Is this sounding like something 1095-a related?
Good morning everyone! I just popped on to say that I filed on 2/6, PATH, transcripts updated today to a DDD of 3/9. It doesn’t matter but I thought my DDD would have been next week but I was seeing a lot of other people posting with the same DDD of 3/9. Of course NY hasn’t updated yet for me but it never does right away. Well good luck everyone!
For those with fees or had advances coming out of your refunds, I believe Cross River Bank is an entity that some tax companies are using. Unfortunately, there is no option to track it on their site.
I woke up this morning with 846 for 3/9. I’m happy of course, but I usually update on fridays !!! My cycle code is 0605.
After reading on here I just checked my transcript I got 846 with 3/9/26 as of 3/9/26 cycle code 0605 I’ve usually updated during week so figured I was a daily and updated this morning some time I didn’t have it yesterday so figured I would be a weekly now.
@Jenny04: No ma’am. The 3/9 is to make sure you get it by that date. And the Wmr may update to 2/24 refund date in the morning.