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 āqueueā 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.
Thatās 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 donāt have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your moneyās 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.
When is a valid time to crash out? š© I havenāt gotten my CK yet.. DDD today
1:20 pm and still no deposit from CK. My DDD is today.
Still no deposit from chime ddd 2/25
CK is a fricken joke! Never ever again!
@BackAgain26: I filed 2/13 blank account transcripts as of date is 03/09/2026 same as you. Should I expect a refund today?
@Dd: I have ck and still waiting
@BackAgain26: when did you get accepted
@BackAgain26: when did you file ?
CK has not hit for me yet today, even though sbtpg said funded this morning. Iām central time, idk if that matters.
Ck just hit!! Until next year
@curt: if you donāt mind me asking. When did you file? And when did you get the additional information needed?
@curt: same just wage transcript but WMR saying no action needed
@DIME: do you have all of your bars on WMR? Mine is still sitting at 2 bars
Refund hit my account just now for 2/25 deposit from SBTPG.
Thanks for all the information and comments this year. This site is always a big help!
@Ichigo435: SAME IM WAITING FOR CHIME TO HIT DDD TODAY STARTED JAN 27 EITC CREDITS
Woodforest bank just hit ddd 2/25 fees from refund
Hey all is there any chance iāll see a deposit today??? My DDD is for 2/25 and I have Chime. Iām waiting very impatiently. Anyone know if they deposit throught the day?
@MSRazorbackPhD: I sure wish they would hurry up and post mine š„
filed 14th last Thursday is when I was all zeros I was 04 last year whatās the chances since I saw all zeros last Thursday morning I will update tonight
@MSRazorbackPhD: Yay! Hopefully I’m next!!
@MSRazorbackPhD: woohoo! Hopefully mine hits soon! š
@SMS14: just wage transcript but says “we need further info on your return before it can continue processing so i am waiting on the letter
CK hit
I have an as of date 03/09 and just got my refund deposited!!! Woohooooo!!!! Super early!! Had fees taken out of return.
Mines just hit used OnePay DDD 2/25 be patient itās coming yāall
Deposits should start rolling in for 2/25 DD anytime now lol. This is when it started yesterday
@Itty bitty: Nevermind it just hit at 12:08
Wells Fargo ddd 02/25 nothing as of 12:05 pm est
HEy all is there any chance i’ll see a deposit today??? My DDD is for 2/25 and I have Chime. I’m waiting very impatiently
Bank of America just hit at 12PMest on the dot
Itās almost noon itās about time to start seeing those SBTPG refunds hit!!! Itās the final countdown
@Sheila_33: hello Iām daily but still blank account transcript with a as of date 2/16/26 my cycle code 04. I also file 2/20/26 and accepted less than 2 hours afterward
i’m sorry you guys are in the same boat as I am. A lot of people have gotten thier refunds way early with Chime, I used Free Tax USA and still no deposit. it’s incredibly frustrating as you all well know. I hope we will get ours sometime today
@Confused in the chi: youāll be receiving yours Shortly
@Ichigo435: Yes I dont know whats going on but next year IM done with Turbotax unless i pay my fees upfront.. because this is crazy it says Funded on santa barbara bank and I still dont have my money on chime
@Ichigo435:
Same here with but with chase. I got a email about 20 minutes ago saying they received my refund and deducted the fees and it should be in my account by the end of the day. So fingers crossed
anyone have an idea as to whats going on this year? I have a DDD for Today and still no deposit with Chime
@Sheila_33: thank you. Last question, could this be for id verify?