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.
@Amanda: +1 (800) 779-7228
My WMR updated yesterday to approved deposit for on 2/24. Still don’t have my refund. Turbo Tax, advance, fees with SBTG. Fees and advance paid on 2/19. Nothing sent to my CK account.
Usually pay out my refund with advance and get it 4 days before with JH. First year using turbo tax again after 7 years. And I’m waiting until day before/ day of? After they fund my advance, and sent the remaining to my bank? Yeah, 5 days early my ass 😒
I know complaining doesn’t help, but it just stinks, thinking of the other route 😅
@Jennyb: Same here. My advance was paid off sometime through the night. Mine goes through SBTPG every year and I always get mine the day before my DDD, usually evening time. I’m not expecting it any earlier because they are very slow to send them funds every year.
@sheila_33 I entered my routing # wrong, what’s next? Will I be able to update according to the new dd terms CP53E or whatever that new law is for less paper checks. I’m so devastated. I used the old chime routing #
@Sheila_33: Thank you.I was happy to see the bright yellow take action disappear this morning lol.Yes I verified on the 9th…
@Buckey12: Good morning early bird, lol. Does your bank do the early deposits?
@OLTFREEFILER: I bank with Wells Fargo. It’d be nice if it dropped in there this morning, but you’re probably right about the Monday deposit.
2nd bar and by 2/25 on wmr
@Yandy00: Wonderful news! Most likely this is gonna be your week.:)
WMR updated to 2nd bar,ddd2/25, figure mon 2/23 for dd with wellsfargo
@Sheila_33: I’m sorry I meant I Check Wmr
@Sheila_33: Good morning I just checked with and the Take action is gone.Im back to 1 bar again.Im thinking I’m back in the system after verifying on the 9th
Could the five day early deal have actually slowed my deposit down? I see others with a DDD of 2/23 (chime) have already received their deposit with or without fees being taken. What gives?
@Jennyb: I don’t know if my advance is paid or not, but it says unfunded. WMR says 2/24. I believe I’ll have to wait until then.
Good morning everyone! Wmrs should be updating and congratulations to those getting their refunds. New week coming up, hopefully more of you see some resolution and refunds.
I checked SBTPG still says unfunded but my advance is paid off. Checked WMR and deposit date for 2/25. Guess I won’t see it till then. SMH!
Steamfoam from irs not fees
@Idkidk12345: fees or loan?
What time do transcripts update? Mine wasn’t showing anything for 2025 and finally showed yesterday, only to say no return filed tho lol so was hoping I would get update this morning
@Idkidk12345: I stole it ; )
@Lost in a structure that is collapsing…: WMR never updated stuck on path and never looked up my transcript. I happened to look at my account and the money was deposited at 9:11 pst
I have no offset on transcript no offset on phone line but when I received my deposit irs sebd 243 less idk why ?? I dont feel like calling irs but why would refund amount change in transcript it has full amount
oh…
@Lost in a structure that is collapsing…: no, WMR hadn’t updated for me yet
@Concerned Citizen: was that the transcript date, I mean the date on “where my refund”
i have no offset but i was given my direct deposit with 243 less no offset on transcript what can I do idk why I am miasing the 243
@Hey!!: WHEN WAS YOUR ddd?
@Lost in a structure that is collapsing…: 03/09 is my DDD
@Concerned Citizen: What was your DDD?
Hello everyone!
I don’t usually comment but I saw a few people in a similar boat as me so here goes..
Filed: 1/10
Accepted: 1/10 if I’m not mistaken
Filed thru: Jackson Hewitt
Fees: Paid thru refund (SBTPG)
Advance: Received 2 (Dec and Jan)
Banking: Serve card
PATH: Most def smh
Transcripts updated after midnight today (1/20), fees filled in thru SBTPG around 9ish, refund hit serve card at 11pm cst.
Hopefully this helps.
Good luck and blessings to everyone!
Chime account just hit at 9:11pm WMR no update still on path!!
I received my 846 code 24 hours ago. No advance or anything. Used the faster money card with pathward and my money still isn’t on my card. If I would have just used my current or chime I would have been had my money. What’s really going on smh
@Goldizzle, what was your as-of date and DDD?
@2blessed: You’re so welcome! I have insomnia so I’m up up lol. It took about 2 1/2hrs.
@Silentwatcher26: Thanks for the prompt response. It’s still showing the amount on the website, just over the phone has changed. How long did it take you before you were funded?
@2blessed: yes that is the correct website
@2blessed: I think you should be fine, if it gave you your amount initially I should be in it’s way soon.
This was my first year with them as a third party and their system is new to me. JH used Republic last year.
@Silentwatcher26: And the website is
taxpayer.sbtpg.com