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.
@Tigerlili_1: why do u think we aren’t seeing deposits today. The last two days it’s like all day those deposits were hitting they really hate us weeklies
@Walter DOG: We are inquiring. Usually, they come in within 15 minutes of each other. A lot came in though before Midnight CST, so it might just be a back-up in their system.
@Tigerlili_1: Is there any update for current?
@Sheila_33 my bad,,, I meant to say O’G’s I’m a Miss GATORS 🤣
@Tigerlili_1: is the IRS going to send the packets out so we can get our refund
@Rubicon46: thank you for responding IM in limbo over here hopefully i receive mines soon
So with the sbtcp saying unfunded, there’s no chance of me getting my refund today correct?
@Tigerlili_1: True, but we will seethe majority of people getting them around 4. Watch!!
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: They need that control number so the only other way I know of is an appt at your local IRS office.
@LoveMy3Munchkins: mine haven’t populated all the way only woke up to an as of date 3/09 I’m to a weekly 0705 so I’m waiting hoping we can still update on transcript’s tonight
@Buckey12: Thank you.
@Morris: Deposits post from 0300 PST to 20:00 CST. Some started receiving this morning at 0448 and 0810. It’s all about the line-up of how they go out of the system and into ACH, and then how the settling institutions acknowledge, receive, and post.
My 2024 federal hit around 1:28pm but not this year 😆😂
@Walter DOG: Chime, Varo, and Truist have been notified of incoming packets, but they haven’t arrived yet. It’s really odd. As the IRS informed, but didn’t submit. So hopefully that will change, and those deposits will be for those folks ( you), but at the end of the day.
Typo. I meant seen
Just a reminder, deposits usually don’t hit bank accounts until around 4 pm. That’s why people haven’t sent deposits yet. It’s too early. It’s coming.
@509state: Wish ours would melt
For those that are looking to see any Trends in DD’s hitting, you can go back to the archive and look on February 21st of 2025 and see when the different cards and Banks started showing money funded into accounts.
Last year I received my refund on the 19th. Didn’t happen this year. EIC/CTC.
@SouthernBelle601: whats the pathward website to check if they received your refund? Ty
@Walter DOG: I used chime 2 years ago and my deposit hit at 4:07 pm.
My refund date is for February 24th
I’m with truist I had 0 fees I wonder if it will hit tonight or will truist hold it until day of my direct deposit date. I’m seeing some say they will hold and I seen some who got the Feb 23rd date for there’s yesterday so not sure if it will come early or not does anyone know,
Either way I’m fine I have money in the bank just enough to get me through the weekend 😂
@Sheila_33: thank you is there anyway I can verify my identity online with out having the letter
I tried something new this year. I used the faster money card by pathward. I don’t like them. Back to chime I go 😂😂😂😂. I didn’t get an advance so where’s my money PATHWARD 😂😂😂😂😂