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.
@AnxietyOverload: that was true many years ago when it happened to us as well and the reason they do that is they want you to sign the check and acknowledge that that is the refund after your payment has been taken out and that you are okay with that because if you don’t sign it you can dispute it so that’s mostly why they send out a paper check so if you sign it you can’t dispute it!
@Manifest: Then its possible the 570 could clear in a week or two. Honestly depends how fast they resolve it.
Wellsfargo hit within the last hour!! 🤑🤑 pather. Upgraded to 846 overnight weekly 20260505!!
We have no children at home anymore so it’s easier to file and easier to receive I think but we filed on February 4th and we got ours back on February 13th and we’re in Georgia and we got our Georgia scheduled to be deposited Monday it’s always that many days from the date that IRS deposits theirs weird though just letting you know that ours was completed in under 2 weeks that’s deposits and all
So CK just hasn’t been touched I’m guessing?
@Tigerlili_1: Chime too?? Im crashing out. I forgot I owed $34 and they took that out. I have an 846. Somebody said if they have to take out money I owe then I will get a paper check. Please let that be an untruth. 🥺😩
@sheila_33 Yes everything is the same.
@Manifest42: If what they’re reviewing is easy to reconcile internally, then not long. Are your wages showing up on the SSA and are the amounts what you submitted on the return?
I guess truist is gonna make me wait till 2.24.26 😂😂😂 it’s been 20 minutes since they were pushed and I ain’t got anything 😂😂
What about cash app
@Akwildbaby: ☺️
I received a letter saying my taxes would be held for review! Does anyone know how long that takes normally?
@Kelvin: Congratulations, I was watching for you. :)
@Tigerlili_1: hey see you know a lot do you have any info for cash app
@Tigerlili_1: sorry, I know you get a lot of questions do you know anything about JH Serve?
@AnxietyOverload: We saw Chime start dropping yesterday afternoon. Fingers crossed, it does the same for you.
@Sheila_33: You was absolutely correct .. transcript updated today from being blank to 846 code .. I filed and accepted on feb 5 ., finally updated today .. Thanks again
@Tigerlili_1: hi any update for Cash App?
@Tigerlili_1: what about venmo??? Thanks
@Texastea713: did you have fees taken from refund?
@Sheila_33: like magic it appeared! Thank you!
@Sheila_33: When do you think chime will drop?? I have no fees. no middleman. Just me and my refund .
Maybe someone has been through the same or currently going through it.
Accepted 1/21 tt and ck
Pather.
No advance or 5 days early
Fees taken out of refund
Processing dats 2/23
846 2/18 early morning for 3/9
Wmr updated two 2nd bar ddd 2/28
989 Friday morning.
Called offset and option 2 for paid offset because this whole time nothing was coming up. Nothing through Sb or river
Still no refund. Also talked to Ck and they don’t have my refund yet.
Any ideas when I could receive it. I’m over checking it and over stressing.
@Ambo: my ddd is 2/23 and was hoping for deposit already but looking at advances they post the morning they get funds but one pay doesn’t have anything yet according to a representative
@Walter DOG: Everything is pushed now
Omg call check ur current mine is there. I didn’t get a notification or nothing
@Buckey12: still makes no sense. giving more main character energy.