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.
@Sheila_33: even with the 5 day early thing from TT?
I received 846 today but my account balance still shows INFO for 2025. Does anyone else have this?
@Relief202: Either they are still working on yours & it could change later today check it again about 6pm I know it’s hard and WE all like to keep peeking in from time to time if nothing happens by Saturday by 3:00am you might get another update next Friday/Saturday with a DDD just wait until later this evening to check on your transcripts
@Jennyb: same here I went through JH and got the advances. I got my 846 this morning but SB has not updated yet. I am also wondering when it will take my fees and when it might be deposited.
Hey y’all…if the only change I had was my as of date changing from 3/2 to 3/9, do you think it’s done for this week or is there a chance (lie to me and tell me there’s a chance) that it could still update completely sometime today? I’ve got a battle going on between an itchy palm and a twitchy eye and I’m hoping my palm wins.
@BigRell: yes, mine was a 4883C letter which you have to call in for to id verify. Not an option for verifying online with a 4883C letter. Kind of hard to answer…originally they told me it mailed on 2/5. Waited until 2/12. Called again said they would reissue my letter. Would not let me verify without letter. So I received one on 2/14. Don’t know if it was the first one or second one I received. Hope that helps
@2blessed: you’re welcome
Are weekly’s still updating today throughout the day? Or was that it last night to this morning??? Trying to see when I should update. Transcripts were blank only thing that updated was account transcript blank only as of date 3/09 someone help pls.
@SouthernBelle601: Anytime Anytime may pop in this evening and congratulations 🎈🎊🎉 to you
@Gators352: Thank you! I guess I have to wait a little longer lol.
@Gator352: Thank you
@BigRell: took about two weeks for me to get mine in the mail.
@Shanshan🩷: 570 is a problem delay,, error or freeze I’m 😞 however it could fall off stay positive
@Jennyb: it will update between now and Monday
@Graciousgambino: It could update before WMR which WMR should update this Saturday for you your bars should move to the next step
@Kathi: when did you file or accepted if you don’t mind me asking. I’m wondering if weekly’s update all day.
@Flaboy813: I believe that is for sending in payments. if your dd info is incorrect you default to a paper check.
@SouthernBelle601: sometime today
@Graciousgambino: after
@KCROYALCHIEF: congratulations 🎊🎉🎈 GOOD NEWS 💰 💴 💴 Now loan me a $1 🤣
Good Morning! I have the path message and a 570 balance is $0.00.
No 846 accepted 1/23/25
Cycle 03.
Will I update or is the 570 a problem.
@Mrsleavy: WEEKLY TRANSCRIPTS are updating ALL day today runs into SATURDAY 3:00am hopefully yours will be in that batch
@Jusamom: Possibly sooner.
Does sbtpg update after wmr or before!? I got 846 code this morning im 05er !!??
Got the 846 this morning.
Congratulations everyone. I received my 846 last night. For the first time I’m using this faster money card by pathward. I didn’t receive an advance. How soon will they deposit the money on the card. Again no advances. Appreciate anyone who has answers. I’m still here even after my 846 code!!!!
@Relief202: mine updated this morning
@Sheila_33: I got mine coming 5 days early. Question is, Will it be today or Monday?
@Sheila_33: well i wont freak out until wmr updates tonight. I always have bad luck so im hoping thats all this is :(
@TipfromTampa: sorry as of 3/9/26.. processing 2/23/26
@Jay Jay: I read where they are stopping that this year
@Flaboy813: there’s not a guarantee that worked tho. Things move very fast with money movement
@Flaboy813: if the account is closed. When it returns to the Treasury they will issue a paper check
I am an 0505 pather with as of 2/23 all good codes but no 846.. still got my fingers crossed
@Lil bit nc: I went on trying to see if I could change it and I saw where I could update banking information I honestly can’t tell you how I got there I was clicking on everything.
Does anyone know when weekly 0705 will update?
Got my 846 this morning SBTPG still says unfunded.
@Flaboy813: how was you able to update on the website
@Flaboy813: how was you able to update on the website
I need help I had my refund sent to an account that is now closed I went on the irs website and updated my banking information my question is how long will my refund be delayed because of it? All answers are appreciated.
@Midwest Mama: tax law stump passed! They can’t take out for student loans !
@karzola3005: sbtpg is west coast and should update after 8am pacific time
@karzola3005: Hey mine is still showing unfunded as well on the website but when I call instead it says it’s been sent to my financial institution with the fees taken out already.
When will SBTG show the funds received if your DDD is Monday, 2-23? it still shows unfunded
@Rubicon46: did you receive your letter by mail for the verification and if so how lot did it take to get it
So I just have a quick question. I updated just before midnight last night with my 846 for 3/9 I’ve seen yall say that will mean wmr will update tomorrow with a date of 2/25 but I seen someone mention their wmr updated already today but for 2/27 so why would someone wmr update the same day transcripts updated? And how sure are we in the 2/25 date?
@Helpme: Theres also a chance. But I don’t think the odds are good.
Seen on this on the facebook group about offsets. Once it says you have no debts press 2 for details, it will give you an amount and date of the offsets (the one you didn’t know about). I also did this and found out I have an offset. Hope this helps
Hey do anyone know how long it take to receive the letter for verification or do they verify you over the phone
@Sheila_33: so maybe theres a chance they fix it internally and i get my refund?
@Gators352: last year I had fees takin out from my refund with TurboTax and did 5 days early, and I still got it the same day the 846 was placed. The bank statement said TurboTax instant payment on my chime. So that is not true.