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.
Just checked my WMR, DDD: 02/25. So it looks like I’ll get my refund on Monday,02/23, right? No hold bank
@Tykillaa42: Yeah same here. 2/24
@Sheila_33: will do. When should I check next week? Friday night?
@Sheila_33: Tallahassee here! Usually hit Daytona for bike week:).
@Deano: Called just now at 12:52pm New Jersey time and still unfunded for me lol and my DD is for 2/25/26 and i found this out by calling the Irs number lol..
@Deano: What was your ddd on WMR? Did you receive it 1 day early or naw?
@Walter DOG: Hey. Im still waiting on mines to hit as well. I have chime too. Ddd is 2/24
@Sheila_33: I messaged u earlier but u never replied lol figure u were offline lol
@Jjay86: I’m still waiting too.
@Deano: typo got mine on the 18th at 7:30 p.m. Central Time
Everyone that is Going through Stbpg Call them the automated system updates before the website I know this cuz I did it two days ago mine is still saying I’m unfunded got my refund on the 19th 877-908-7228🙂
Still waiting. I have a DDD for 2/23. Fees taken out and paid the extra for the five day early. Anyone else in the same boat?
I didn’t update 😞 when do transcripts update again? Mine is still saying no return filed
@Sheila_33: what’s extremely concerning is the no placeholders for 2025. I can’t see if there are codes.
@Ambo: they need to hurry up ugh
@Blessed2bme89: same.. OnePay
@Blessed2bme89: I will keep you updated too.
@Walter DOG question I have chime too and nothing did u have it straight from the irs or sbbt for fees im guessing that’s why some of us with chime haven’t seen it until they get their bank fees taken they alrdy took my advance repayment since yesterday but no cash yet on chime
@Chicagohound18: @Chicagohound18: that’s what I’m guessing hopefully I’ll keep u updated
@Blessed2bme89: Chime. When I call the sbtpg number it tells me my amount has been sent via direct deposit for 2-23 but it hasn’t came yet and chime is a nhb. So I am guessing that it might come later tonight or tomorrow night.
@Sheila_33: Heyyy, you’re in my neck of the woods! Hello neighbor!!
@Sheila_33: That’s crazy!
@Rubicon46: I am, lol. East coast near Daytona.
@Needsallmine: Hopefully we update soon🙂
@MSRazorbackPhD: Honestly, not sure why but we’ve had a few with issues that claimed it needing verfication. My daughter had to send in paperwork last year just to show she didn’t have it but didn’t delay her more than a week.
@Rubicon46: From what I’m seeing it could possibly be a 598 that closes it and updates the transcript. Let me know what you update to next week.
@Sheila_33: you must be in sunny Florida like me:)
@Chicagohound18: I have one pay which is Walmart card who do u have ?
Per my Facebook forums SBTPG is glitching BAD! So I wouldn’t keep checking for funded status’s. Some people’s accts are saying “advance repaid” and they didn’t even receive an advance. Some people’s still say unfunded but they’ve had their money for days! Like same day 846. For me? If anything, I’ll just wait for my CK notification. 🤷🏼♀️
@Shanshan22🩷: nope. I still have the path message. I’ve been a weekly forever but I have a sneaky suspicion me filing injured spouse for the first time has something to do with it.
@MSRazorbackPhD: have you been processed yet?
I have a notice issued on my transcripts with a date of 3/9. Is that the date they mail it out?