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.
@texasmichelle: Same here lol. But they still haven’t taken the fees out. I wonder I wonder what’s taking them so long to take the fees out. My ddd is 2/24
@Graciousgambino: screen shot it next time I did loved seeing the approved and ddd I get it!!!💕
@Jennyb: ok thanks
@Sheila_33: All fees were to be paid out of refund.
@Mommyof10: Gm. Same here
@Sheila_33: and that’s why waiting for money to show up in my bank seems like a scene out of Monty Python search for the Holy Grail
@PapaD: Possible but not likely just my experience. But I see the STbtg has already took the advance so maybe Monday or Tuesday. I have a date for 2/25. I normally see mine on the exact date w/Credit Karma
@Matt7650: still in the same boat with you smh
Hey y’all I’m a I’m a lurker I have chime ddd of 2/24 two bars approved sbtpg says unfunded ….I don’t know if chime will deposit on weekend?? Ya think
Wmr updated to refund approved with ddd of Feb 25 weekly and pather bank with chime nothing yet but sbbt alrdy took their fees
@Str8Nervous: they’ll see that I won’t go into your account and then they’ll make you a check and send it out to the address on file
Filed 1/23 path
Advance 1/24
Cycle code 20260505
846 2/19
Wmr updated today for 2/25 ddd
Advance fees paid according to SBTPG
SBTPG still says unfunded
Waiting on deposit for NFCU
Hey everybody I just have one question. I had money taken out off my return from ga. Will they still direct deposit on Wednesday or will I have to wait for a check? Anyone ever experience this?
Hi! Updated on wmr this morning to 2 bars with ddd 2/25. Got small advance using ck. Think there’s any chance I see a DD today ??
@Sheila_33: Cool, thanks!
*806
Also, amount was not reduced on transcript. Just 150, 807, and 846 with full amount.
Hi All, I have an issue/question:
My transcripts updated with 846 by 3/9 on Friday morning. No other codes at all other than the normal ones and 846. Checked WMR this morning and I received the offset message, only anpproved (not sent) and a by 3/2 before calling IRS. I checked transcript again this morning…no new codes, just the same as Friday morning. So I can’t figure out what happened b/c there are no codes. Has anyone ever seen this before?
@Sheila_33: the offset line says something about feb 24th it’ll be paid or done. Does that mean after the 24th I’ll get my deposit date?? So confuse right about now? Any help would help right about now
Filed 1/20 accepted shortly after used TT fees from refund was finally able to see my transcript it has code 846 and as of date as 03/09 I called WMR hot line and said I have an offset and where but not how much. Finally see my transcript with amount and all that would the offset show on my transcript cause I dont see an offset or anything about it on my transcript? Thanks in advance
@Sunsetmoon: The pattern seems to be 2 weeks so most likely next Friday. :)
@ Sheila_33 Hi! My return was accepted on 02/12. I’m usually a weekly and thought I would have updated yesterday. Or would it be next Friday that my transcripts update?
Grand rising all;
Filed jan 18
Accepted jan 20th
Im a pathet
Im a 0605’er
Wmr says two bars approved now ddd feb 25th
I have early bank no hold cashap(sutton bank) so i WILL see it by mon thats how my cashap works
And SGTB STILL SAY UNFUNDED-i wouldnt depend on they updates at this point kings n queens they flaw this year and yep thats my update have a safe day yaw
@Sheila_33: My bank deposits early. As soon as they can see it in the ACH system they credited it as a pending. They’ve done that with all of my paychecks and any support payments. Seeing it seems to be the inconsistent thing. A child support payment set for February 20th sometimes shows up at 4:30 p.m. on Friday or other times at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday when they close. A paycheck for the 10th or 25th is supposed to be in the account the 9th or 24th but will usually be in there as early as the 8th or 23rd. Sometimes even earlier if the 9th or 24th is on a Monday it will show up on a Thursday or Friday before.
@Sheila_33: I don’t even have a DDD it just says something about the offset and if no information by march 1st to call and it’s on two bars where it says approved but no DDD or third bar. So confuse and so mad right about now. Had half of 8k taking away from me. Ugh. I hate irs right now.
Good morning. For all those that filled JH with serve cars and had fees take from SBTPG, I got my DDD day yesterday morning for 3/9 and my refund hit my card sometime between 10 pm and midnight. SBTPG website still says unfunded. I guess it’s not updating. Just wanted to share a little hope with others. I hope everyone have a weekend!
Wmr blocked me said to many attempts to check status I literally only checked once at 6 am I was trying log back in to stare at the DDD date 😂😂! Hoping I can use some Jedi mind trick to make it come faster 😂😂
SB banks says my advance was paid yesterday but still unfunded .. anyone else?
wmr did update to 2/25
@2blessed: Just had a few cups of Joe and headed to grocery shop🤪.
@Sheila_33: Hi Shelia 😊.