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.
@Cheyteeee: mine just hit my chime card 10pm est had a ddd of the 9th
@Tigerlili_1: just got mine on chime card
Anyone know what’s going on with credit karma that got 846 yesterday morning. Two full days and still nothing. No way of seeing where funds are in transit.
@IEBaby951: I just got mine on chime card I had a ddd of the 9th
0505, let’s get ready to rummmbbbbllleeeee. 🥳
@VaGal07: Did their deposits go thru SBTPG or just straight to their bank?
@Chicagohound18: If you have no hold bank, you will get it tomorrow. If not sometime tonight. He has to tell you that you will get it on your DDD. It’s a generic script that allows time for it to go through the clearinghouse.
@Chicagohound18: See! Now that’s just crazy. This is typical SBTPG behavior but after seeing others post about how fast theirs was this year and on the same day, I started to get hopeful. Lol. Silly me. I hope you get your deposit very soon!
@Mummy bear: after 12
@Miami Dade 305: hmmmmm,that sounds good 😂
@VaGal07: SBTPG is moving very slow they received my refund yesterday and took their fees out and I still haven’t received my refund I called and talked to somebody and they told me that I will get it Monday which is my actual direct deposit day.
Has anyone gotten their deposit who banks with Capital One?
@LJH: I honestly don’t think anyone knows at this point. If we do update tonight, our DDD will be 2/25. Ive used TT with advance through CK for years and always get my deposit the day before my DDD but I just saw a few people saying they got their money last night after their 846 populated yesterday morning. So anything is possible but SBTPG tends to be very slow. Hopefully they’ve stepped up their game this year to match the NHB.
@Matt H: aww ok thank you so much!
@PassingThrough: make an appointment in person it’s quicker I did and already got my refund.
@Worried911: What Matt H said. Be on the look out for a letter in the mail. You can also check your irs account for mailed notices and letters. I know it’s not an ideal situation but the sooner you know the faster you can act IMO.
What time does the transcripts normally update?
@Amariex3: I just logged in fine with no delay. Try again.
@BagLadyTaxer: agreed lol fingers crossed and praying hard. I hate waiting over the weekend it makes it for a long long weekend and my kids won’t allow me to sleep the time away lol
@LJH: I think the direct deposit date for weekly’s will be on 02/25
@LJH: prayfully 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Weekly with a 2/23 & 03/02 date on my transcripts. Just tried to check again and transcripts are not opening up at all. Hopefully it’s good news and I’ll get an 846 by the morning fingers crossed 🤞
@Worried911: you’re going to get a letter in the mail with a code to enter in on your IRS account where it says verify your information.
No you are not being audited &
NO you are not going to see an 846 tomorrow. Don’t even set yourself up for that disappointment. Unfortunately it’ll be a few days before you get the letter
Does anyone know if we get 846 tonight will we get a deposit over the weekend
Turbo Tax (Credit Karma Card)
Fees taken from refund
0505
No 5 day advance/early pay
@Cerby: my transcripts are blank says no return filed. I’m a pather and never updated to the path message. But when I first login to I’d me it takes you tot he irs home page and that’s where all of a sudden popped up that I need to verify my 2025 return
@Cerby: my transcripts are blank
@Honeybee82: I’m an 0405…Lol. All these weeklies popping early from 0605, and I’m like hmm…. But I believe i am locked in weekly purgatory forever. 🤣
Happy 846 update day my fellow weeklies. I’m 31, Been a weekly since 16. Hope all is smooth for everyone!
Last Year I updated 2/21 with a 3/10 deposit and received my DD through chime 2/23 Sunday Evening. Fees through SBTPG also.
@Worried911: hi, did it say you needed to verify on the refund status page or something else?