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.
All I know is that last year I got my 846 early Friday morning and got my deposit that evening around 5:30 CST with Netspend so, I’m expecting the same pattern today.
@ErisedMai: ok thanks so much!
@Silent lurker forever: Tax topic 152 is gone this year for seemingly everyone.
@Stephen: Also if your WMR had updated to show your refund date, it should show whether you have an offset or not.
My HRB tracker says state is pending, and federal says “your anticipated refund date of feb 16th has passed but the irs expects blah blah blah within 21 days”, BUT it does not show the amount and that’s worrying me lol— yes I’m a pather, had fees taken out, opted for HRB card, and received a loan…
Have any other HRBer’s seen any movement on WMR or HRB tracker?
Thank you in advance for reading and appreciate y’all always 🙂↔️🫶🏽
@Stephen: Correct
Hey guys, happy tax season!
Can anyone answer a question or two for me please?! I have been in and out of here for years 😏
I have no access to transcripts at the moment so I’m relying on this bs HRB tracker and WMR.
Should I be concerned if it shows NO tax topic at all? I’m used to having topic 152, and Ive been doing this for over 10 years…
@Ambo: hopefully we see something soon
@Silentwatcher26: my SBTPG still shows unfunded, and I got my deposit Wednesday night. So I wouldn’t rely on their site for accurate updates. Calling their automated number is how I found out my funds had been released…then I just kept checking my card until it hit. 😊
@BigRell: how long have you been waiting?
@ErisedMai: okay so I shouldn’t have any offsets correct since nothing is coming up when it ask me and then it don’t say anything about a option 2 when I go back to main menu
@Tonya0988: WMR will update tomorrow morning for those who got 846s today.
@Rickjames344: 8003043107 when I go to click one and it runs my SSN it says no offesets then I go back to main menu and option 2 don’t say anything about past debts
@Stephen: If you don’t have a recently paid offset, it won’t give you the option as far as I’m aware. I didn’t get the option *until* my offset had been paid.
@Shanshan22🩷: im waiting on mines now
@Stephen: your transcripts should show you if yours updates daily… It should have under your 846 …I think ithe code is 203 not sure…mine didn’t populate any of it…that’s why I called
@Silentwatcher26: same
Still showing not funded on Sbtpg anyone else ?
@Stephen: odd…I pressed 1 it said I didn’t have any and I knew that was wrong so I went back to the main menu and it asked about recently paid ones and I pressed 2 I believe. You calling the right number?
@Rickjames344: I don’t even have that option 2 for past ones it
Does anyone know when wmr updates? I can’t get into my transcripts because the id me wants to do some kind of video call verification that never came through, I am stuck on the path message with one bar 😕