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.
@Azluckyfish: I have GD also nothing yet
@Jerseygirl02: Congratulations 🎈
Congratulations 🎉🍾🎊🎈 to everyone who have received that money 💰 💴 💵 this morning & this evening,,,, enjoy enjoy enjoy for the ones who haven’t received stay positive you will receive money as well,,,, I LOVE SEEING THESE DDD’S HIT THEM POCKETS & PURSES!!!!!
@Waiting in KY: nothing for TT CK SBTPG still says unfunded and I think people who got 846s since Wednesday are just starting to see their deposits I know for sure I’m stuck waiting til Tuesday night
@Sheila_33: lol
@Azluckyfish: wondering the same
@PoliticalVirus101: I live with 5 teenagers, dude is permissible, lol
Lol I meant greendot 🤣
@Sheila_33: Dude?
Please updated if u use greenhouse and get deposit 🙏 ☺️
@Tallica: congratulations 🎉🎈
@Honeybee82: I’m really hoping everything with my refund is okay. I’m just so paranoid because I normally have it by now and I can’t check my transcript. My Sbtpg only shows my advances
@NettaB: pather??
@NettaB: was your deposit by 3-9-26? Just curious
@TV: I’m in the same boat.
Any spruce accounts get deposited yet?
@Buckey12: I’m glad you dropped the IRS part, Frank Garrett. That’s a big no no. Too easy for people to think you’re something you’re not, even when its in fun. Jemar is strict on that, and I completely understand why. Did you get your refund yet, dude?
Any deposits on Emerald Card??
@Tigerlili_1: until what time can we expect deposits tonight. Tt said my refund was received but I haven’t received it and since it’s Friday I wonder until what time they will deposit
@Silentwatcher26: when I called them around 4:00 on Wednesday, it had changed from saying they hadn’t received anything yet – to saying they released my funds on my bank card on 2/23. Knowing how SBTPG is, I didn’t count on getting it until the 23rd – but my deposit hit my Serve card around 9:00pm. As of right now, the site still shows as ‘unfunded’. Go figure lol
Hi you guys turbo tax just dropped in my CK account Credit Karma good luck you guys
@Honeybee82: hi Hii, did you call Sbtpg and it still says unfunded as well?
I’m so paranoid that something is wrong
Received my DD 15 mins ago via Netspend/Pathward 💃🏽🎉
Praying everyone gets theres this weekend 🙏🏽🤍
Any green dot deposit yet 🙏🙏🙏🙏
@Sheila_33: you’re welcome. Had i not updated and 0405s were skipped, I might have called for a parlay and invoked the Frank Garrett Southpark rule. Lol.
@I’mtheGoat: it just comes across like i am watching Monty Python: Search for the Holy Grail… Rules of the Holy Hand Grenade. The pin shall be pulled on 3. Not before 3 on 2 nor after 3 on for but on 3.
@Ambo: yes, myself and several other people had fees/advance deducted through SBTPG and got our deposit the same day our 846 updated. My SBTPG site still shows unfunded even though I got my deposit Wednesday night, so calling their automated number will give you more accurate information than the site. Now, I’m not sure if the tax preparer makes a difference – because I’ve seen that some people still haven’t received their deposits yet, who go their 846 Wednesday and yesterday. But I filed with JH and got mine the same day….it was a total surprise, but it definitely happened lol 😊
Paypal just posted my deposit 10 minutes ago.
Are there anymore updates before next week? I filed 2/10 accepted same day.
Missouri refund says issued on the 11th. I never received it.
I’m an 0505. Transcripts are still blank.
WMR is still processing.
Chime bank.
@Yandy00: Thank you hun.