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.
@Joseph01: What day does your repaid date for advance? My DDD is 02/25, but our advance is marked repaid on 02/20/2026.
@Carrie305: I actually got one earlier and they said I will have my refund in my account tomorrow 2/24. Sbtpg website still says unfunded. It’s just crazy.
@Mzmia33: yes exact same refund date here but not funded for federal yet. Looks like they are not going to fund it until tomorrow and probably won’t receive funds in our account until tomorrow afternoon.
trying to get a live rep at SBTPG is a joke!
@Fla omega: Hope mines hit today as well. DDD 2/24
Tashaaa I won’t take that long I did it last year and end of week it updated to refund date for next week
@Rickjames344: good hope mine hit mine is for 2/25
Any 23 rd date credit karma hit any accounts ???TT.loan..
@Rickjames344: Congratulations! Nothing here yet. No loans and still didn’t take fees sbtpg. 2/24 ddd
@PathCanKissMyASS2026: irs site has tons of places to file for free and they are as easy or easier than TT in my experience. No need to pay fees unless you are getting an advance or something.
HnR just hit chime at 1235pm est …DDD 2-25 with offset, fees out, no notification I just opened it at 2 and it was there since 1235pm.
Hope everyone else’s hits soon.
Wife’s hit also at the same time… same everything besides no offset and TD bank.
Next year all 😊🍺🍻
Hello everyone. I want to know if those that have SBTPG does it show funded because of State taxes? Because mine shows funded but only for State and it just shows expected amount for Federal. I’m a pather and WMR shows 2nd bar deposit date 2/24 846 shows 3/9 using cashapp
@Joseph01: yeap. Definitely will get it the day of!
@TjLA: its insane because I also get my payroll with chime and I always get it on a Tuesday night at like 9:30pm or 10pm 2 days before Thursday payday..and last year I got my refund so late like at midnight or a little later … I think moving forward im going just have money to pay my fees upfront because this is insane lol .. for us
I just had to verify ID with IRS- it says could take up to NINE WEEKS?! That legit or just what they “have to say”?
@Miami Dade 305: Did you pay fees upfront
@Joseph01: same here
What’s up everybody just dropping by let anyone know that my DDD was for the 25th but my money dropped at 1:15 today so a bit ago on Chase Bank so check your bank accounts it’s dropping yaw
My SBTPG changed today to show advance repaid. It still says unfunded and doesn’t show fees paid. But the “advanced paid” clearly shows they have it. DDD is 2/24. My guess is it comes tomorrow. This is exactly what happened last year. DDD was for tuesday 2/25 and it showed up that day.
@2blessed: I called today to the man told me it takes 24 hrs do you no if TT gonna give out refunds since they didn’t provide the 5 day early?
@Denise: same dates and situation. Show advance paid but not funded.
There are lots of chimes dropping deposits hitting bank accounts all morning and still coming in yall keep checking im still waiting on mine with ddd Feb 25 lots of groups on fb posting
@Millii: Cross River is also affiliated with Turbo for some of its fees. Unfortunately, I don’t have a number for them.
Email from Turbotax at 8:23am pst, refund hit Chime account at 9:43am pst. Fees out of refund, no loans. DDD 2/23
@Jacob: They may be an issue somewhere, because something should have changed after that freeze was taken off. If you’re a daily, you may see an update on the Wmr tomorrow morning. If not, you may be looking at a Saturday morning weekly Wmr update. Hopefully, whatever is holding it has been resolved internally.
@mickey m: I honestly have no idea
@Tykillaa42: my DDD is 2/24 with Chime also. Not deposited yet.
@Knownledgeispower: does anyone have any idea what’s going I have never had it be this slow
Still no update for New York😩
@Adifferentcloth: you’re awesome! thank you so much for the info
@Sheila_33: when I check my taxes I’m a pather it says no refund status unavailable and no bars or anything filed on the feb 3rd
@MissShea:
+1 (800) 901-6663
Press 4
@Deano: heck my has shown funded since last Wednesday still no deposit, I reached out to them via email no response. I bet I pay my fees up front next year! this is stupid!!!
Could someone please provide me with a number to speak with a live person for SBTPG I’m only receiving automated info and they don’t give an option to speak with anyone. I have emailed them as well several times with no reply!!
Please help!!!
@Needmymoney!: mine the same way let me know if you find out anything
should i be worried about no bars and “refund status not available”; doesn’t say anything about PATH or holds or anything. I filed 2/4/26
Long time lurker here…Does anyone know how to contact the new bank TT uses? I saw someone post here that its new, and read online that it’s called First Century Bank. Too many in my search engine, but I’m searching. Lol. 2/23 is my DDD, still nothing put in my Chime account. Thanks in advance.
Just hit! DD 02/23 used pathward and bank with TD Bank. It’s coming y’all !!! Good Luck everyone!! Till next year!
@Jusamom: Well I have DDD 2/23 and used turbo tax and sent to Cash App still no deposit. First issue is SBTPG doesn’t even have my info in its system when I check online and call no info found.
I said this specifically to you since I seen you mentioned using Cash App.
However at this point idk who the issue is with if Santa Barbara not pulling my info up, I definitely had fees coming out smh
To anyone how can I bypass and get to a representative.
@BagLadyTaxer: yeah I know it’s very frustrating for all of us in other words it sucks LOL
@Deano: Everyone that has DDD
02/23 they will show funded at some point today
@Deano: every year it happens this way
Just a thought Stbpg unknown might be they are finishing up
Everyone’s account to show funded
@Jennyb: exact same for me, good luck to us lol
@Jennyb: mine never said funded or fees paid but it is doing the unknown good luck glitch! lol 🤞🏽 when I call the automated line it says no received still though.
I got the refund advance from TT and when I log in to SBTPG it shows the advance has been paid since last week but my refund is still showing Unfunded. Is it safe to assume that means my refund has been there but they’re just holding onto it?
@Secrutf5: check your account
My SBTPG account is now saying unfunded and unknown when yesterday it showed my fees paid. I think this is processing. My DDD is for 2/25 but hopefully it comes tonight. Has anyone gotten their deposits today? I have CK.
@OhioBred87: I have 570 but with path message
@OhioBred87: still 570. No other code under it. All transcripts for last 6 years have as of date 3/9/26. Wmr still says 180 day message.
Anybody else’s SBTPS show unfunded but fast cash overview 0.00 i didn’t get an advance of any kind and i called my debt agency said I owed 815.00 but I should get the rest of my refund this is the first time SBTPG has updated anything for me this year!
@BagLadyTaxer: I see what your saying and yes lol I just checked mine and its unknown I have a Direct deposit for the 25th to my chime card ..so hopefully tonight I get it since chime is 2 days before payday for me
The SBTPG website is doing the unknown good luck glitch! From my experience when it goes back and forth from unknown to your details, its processing through. However, USUALLY that starts the day of DDD so it can initiate the payment. Anybody else remembering this? 🤞🏽
@LJH: May I ask when your direct deposit date is from the IRS
@Jenny04: You have a great day and your most welcome
Anyone else log on to SBTG and it says refund amount unknown and all $0
@Deano: thank you for the infor, it helps
@Jenny04: it looks like you’re the direct deposit date is tomorrow the 24th where is my refund is very slow to update but when it does it’ll show the deduction for your offset and what they sent you at the IRS I promise you you’ll get what’s owed to you it’s just going to take a little more time
Call STBPG later on this evening around 9:00 see if it’s changed any I wish you the very best
@Deano: good morning. Well on Friday I think automatic told me my right amount and said to contact my bank and now today said haven’t received my refund. It’s always been saying unfunded all week. With the offset it’s saying be paid as of 2/24 out of refund but I don’t really have a DDD at all. All wmr is saying if nothing by 3/01 to call irs, so don’t know anything much right now.. just panicking like always cause of the offset shit..