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.
@MoMo: Yes they said they had it and it will take 24-48hrs to release them. I spoke to a live agent on Thursday and it’s still saying unfunded
@2blessed: hey did sbtgp say they had your funds?
@cmaine: was the DDD the same as your 846? Or is that what was on the WMR?
@Graciousgambino: I paid upfront did not apply for advance or 5 days early and I’m still waiting too. WMR says 2/25 for me also. So frustrating!
@Justme23: You definitely still get 846 with offsets.
800-779-7228
@Jennyb: They literally took almost 1k in fees stating no it was only once! Yet the amount they say I was getting isn’t the amount they submitted on the taxes it’s a 1k difference so I asked for a review gave me a hard time! So I’m going to submit taxes as amendment and report them to the BBB
@TinaR: you wouldn’t have an 846 with an offset. If it says 846 there is no offset being paid with your refund
@cmaine: Congratulations.
@Benita: hello, what number did u call to get a live rep for sbtpg? They have shown me as funded since last wednesday still no deposit!!
Got Federal refund this morning via CK and with fees taken out. DDD 2/23.
Have anyone who banks with truist bank received they refund yet? If so did it come early or the same day as your ddd?
@Benita: Same here. My date 2/24 😩
Finally some clarity but still not an answer called WV where they said I owed 815.00 I need to send them proof of when my mother stole my identity and taxes and get that fixed ( but said the offset has not been paid in there system. So processing date says today 02/23 but no movement on transcripts or SBTPS. So I got one answer but I would still get my money that was not offset, why cant they update lol?
@TinaR: What day did your transcripts update with the 846 ? Mine updated Thursday morning and my DDD is 2/24/26.
@Madinjay: how?
@Benita: yes they always hold it until the day of DDD so annoying!!
@TinaR: do you have an 846??
So my transcripts say processing date of today02/23 does that mean my DDD is for today or tomm.? SBTPS says they havent received it and WMR shows approved but no date and the offset message? Since it says processing date today does that mean DDD is today or tomm.?
@Shanshan22🩷: No…I think we will update again Thursday night into Friday. I’m a weekly who still has the path message 2026-05-05
I sent my refund to cash app DDD 2/24/26, have to go through SBTPG still not funded. I called their number Thursday night and they received my refund. I called them Friday morning and a representative told me they have it and won’t send it out until my DDD. They just hold the money, next year I’ll pay my fees upfront.
@Secrutf5: mine
@PathCanKissMyASS2026: Totally agree with you on that one
@Jusamom: I will never use TT, CK, or SBTPG again! I will purchase my own tax software (HRB) from here on out. Will never deal with this again.
So WTH is really going on IRS says 02/23 bur doesn’t show refund has been sent. SBTPS says they haven’t received my refund. IRS phone number says I have an offset and my refund will be offset. Why is no website updated if we have DDD of 02/23. I’ve never seen a year like this.. it’s stressing me TF out!!
I’ll never do CK again! Still unfunded, paid for five days early my DD is for 2/25. Never again. I was better off sending it to cash app
@Secrutf5: at this poijnt nobody waiting for santa barbara people are seeing there $ on there accounts before sanata barbara updates its just wracking my brain to check there slow site lol wmr sayd approved so tomorrow ill c mine hope u c urs by tonigit or the am i refresh my browser snd dismiss stbg site they in the way this yr
Good morning anyone that has a DDD date today my Stbpg is funded check yours 🎉🎉
@MSRazorbackPhD: WMR says by 25th..
@Secrutf5: same situation I found out Sat I had an offset but not how much it would be my DDD is today 02/23 fees and all coming out if TT AND
SBTPS still shows unfunded no other WMR updates since I got my DDD which is today 02/23 I have never experienced a year like this I’ve normally gotten it the day before and information has always been updated. Today is my DDD no movement on transcript or TT or SBTPS. Completely unsure WTF is happening.
@Secrutf5: When is your DDD?
Got my 846 on Friday morning. SBTPG still says unfunded. Processing date is today.. does anybody else’s still say unfunded?
Good morning everyone. Dailies processing today, transcripts tomorrow! Good luck!
Woke up. No deposit yet. Today is my DDD (Chime, fees, 5 day early). 😬
Accepted the day tax season opened (PATH) , wmr changed to approved Friday with DDD for Wednesday, so probably get tomorrow with Chime. Unfortunately offset by about 50 percent but I knew I still owed the IRS for some stuff I messed up in 2020. At least that’s over…and hopefully I don’t get screwed by TOP because I’m in there this year for student loan debt but they’ve said it’s on pause.
@WhereIsMYSTATE: Nothing yet, I filled on 1/29/26. I was under review and now I’ve been processing since 2/12/26.
@WhereIsMYSTATE: RIGHT
What is going on with them
Mmm any update on NY state refund
Been watching the thread awaiting my turn
DDD 3/5
2nd bar
filed 1/23
deposit sometime this week
stay blessed everyone until next year.
I went to check my transcripts and it’s saying something went wrong! Does that mean everyone is checking the site?
@Freddie G: 2/23
Can someone help me I filed 2/25 was accepted 2/27 I have no bad codes on my transcript my processing date is 2/23 and as of is 3/9 it was 3/2 last week but there was a 1$ fix on my return . I’m not understanding why I haven’t got a 846 code yet my cycle is 0505
Janise When was your DDD date