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.
@Sheila33
My transcript is blank but why does my last year transcript have an as of date of 3/16/26
Hello,
I’m a weekly and filed about two weeks ago today. Had nothing forever, woke up this morning with an 846 no other codes for 3/16? Just seems far off. I usually get the money the same day I get the 846 esp Fridays
I know I asked this already guys I’m sorry for being a pain. But does anyone know why I didn’t get my nys this morning or when my ddd was today?!
@IGOTMY846: The account balance amount at the top of the codes with a negative balance is what will be refunded. The amount beside the 150 is your tax liability.
@Danni$WMR?: The Wmr tomorrow morning will most likely show if any of the refund was offset.
@ChristinePFla: Thanks for sharing and congratulations. :)
Does any other anyone know why I didn’t receive my nys today ? I got my fed last week which was supposed to be the 3/10 . Then my state updated yesterday with direct deposit date of today and nothing is in my account I have serve card!!
Filed and accepted on 2/6 , no dependents
IAM a weekly and still have blank transcripts.
I went to irs.gov/verifyreturn . It makes you log into your account and says they can’t assist me so I know I dont have to verify ID.
I don’t know what’s taking so long.
Congratulations to everyone seeing their 846s this morning! Your Wmr will most likely update to a 3/4 deposit date in the morning.
@Matt7650: Any dates moving on that transcript means something is being worked on. And thats always a positive. Let us know what your Wmr says in the morning. :)
People that filed with TT and had fees coming out of refund, how long after you got your 846 did you get your deposit?
@Sheila_33: hi Shelia. Told ya I would give an update again….. any insight…..still 570 with 3/2/26 next to it….as of date changed to 3/16/26…..wmr still 180 day message. Thanks.
@PassingThrough: you have to verify the return then you will return to normal processing
Hello I was accepted by the IRS February 22 transcripts was blank last Friday morning this morning. They went from blank to having a 846 code with a 3/16 date.
Had an error with my withholding amount, got a letter 2 weeks ago and amended it. I got an update on my transcripts today that the amended return was filed and forwarded for processing on 2/12. Anyone have any experience with how long it generally takes after amended shows on transcripts for it to actually be processed? Thank you
@Relief2020: yes that’s exactly what that means. Refund is approved now wait for the money
Blank to 846!!! Woot woot!!!! Filed 2/10 accepted 2/11 Pather H and R Block have a good one yall!! Wishing everyone 846!!!!!!!!!! <3
@Sheila_33: in case someone else goes through this. Here’s the final update on filing with the wrong EIN for my employer on February 5th (accepted same day) and having blank transcripts since then. I just updated to an 846 as of 3.16.26.
So once 846 is issued means we’re done processing?
846! Had to id verify
As of 3/16
Hi guys. I just checked my transcripts at 9:55 MST and got the 846! I’m a weekly, filed and accepted on 2/13.
Has anyone had blank transcripts with 810, that had the verify return notification in online portal? Filed 2/3/2026, notification appeared 2/17, haven’t received letter yet. Does that indicate an issue or is that normal processing for identity verification?
@Sheila_33: hey I have a question I got my 846 and since a lot of people funds been getting offset I called the offset number it’s say I don’t have an offset so I saw everyone saying if it says that press 2 for payments made but there is no option 2 when I call so do u think this mean my refund wasn’t offset.
Quick question next to my 150 tax return filed code it has a balance of $700 with no negative with the same date as my refund balance. Does that mean I’m getting more money? I checked other years all balances was zero
Woo hooo my 846 looks beautiful 🤩 everyone waiting check transcripts! Filled 2/15 accepted same day
WMR one bar
846 3/16/26
Filed and accepted 2/13 just updated to with 846 code twitch 03/19 DDD! It’s coming friends we just need to be patient I guess we just never will fully know what the IRS is doing. Thanks to everyone for communicating here it eased my nerves seeing people file on my date and go through the same thing. See you guys next year
I updated from a 570 to a 971 smh!!! What is a 971 and how long does it take to clear. When I look it up it’s says it’s routine but IDK….
It’s here! Feb 12 filed and accepted, 3/16 DDD. 😍 I had zero fees with cashapp and it’s going to my cashapp card. No idea when I’ll see it but LFGOOOOOOO
Check those transcripts I just checked and I updated 846 3-16 cycle 0805. Praying every one updates tonight/morning
@DreamLooks: I filed last Wednesday, am weekly, and received my 846 on transcripts today.
Just an update for any that had to verify their return.
Filed and accepted 1/29; Account transcript populated with “no return filed” with all zeros and as of date of 2/23 on 2/6; Action required notification showed up on the home page on 2/9 saying a letter was mailed; Received letter to verify return on 2/17 and verified online the same morning; Transcript never changed except for as of date changing to 3/9 sometime (not sure when exactly). Stayed all zeros and “no return filed” the whole time.
Just checked my transcripts and have finally updated to 846 with a date of 3/16. Hope this helps anyone looking for timeline info.
@Coldinpa not logged in: it feels like it☹️
@Needsallmine: I hope so.
@ Sheila_33: WMR has updated today to we have received your tax return and it’s being processed. Before today it said something about still processing.
Can anyone tell me what to do with my amended return? I got the 846 code on it (from my 2023 forgot to claim education credit) but realized the address is my old one.
i got a 971 and a 570 code with same date and a cp53e notice same date as the 971/570 code, is it something good or not? I checked in on my irs account and there’s a standing notification for me to update my DD information but when i click on the notification link, the page takes me to WMR status, please how do i go about updating my DD information online ?