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.
Has anyone gotten their refund on the HR Block Emerald Card this year? Never used it before. Wondering if I should expect to wait until my actual deposit date for $.
(I can honestly say the wait no longer scares me lol)
@Rissa: I filed 2/18, accepted 2/19. Had a blank wage transcript since last Friday. This morning I got an account transcript with all 0s and the wage transcript remains the same. I’m half convinced I’m getting a letter or something but just going to wait and pray I update this coming Friday.
Alright y’all, I was waiting because I was accepted on the 13th (filed with TT) and up until midnight this morning my transcripts were completely blank. Right at 1215 my account transcript filled in with code 846 and at noon deposit hit my CK account. So anyone still waiting especially with PATH check your stuff! Good luck!
Hey just wanted to let you guys know that I file 2/11 accepted 2/12 accounts transcripts appears last Friday blank I got a 846 this Friday with a ddd 3/16 but the IRS has already deposited my money because I have a nhb
Welp that was smooth this year. 846 this morning and went to my SoFi account and it was there!
Just got the turbo tax email stating my refund has been received early and will be in my chime account by end of day today!! Received 846 this morning. Weekly. Fees out of refund. Filed and accepted on 2/15 and I’m a pather. Good luck everyone!!!
Anybody in here waiting for Minnesota return ? I’m aware that this is federal return tax discussion Thank you in advance
@Helpplz: I need the number as well still have not received the letter.
@Relief2020: congrats!!! That’s awesome! My fees are out of refund so I likely won’t get mine today, but cheers to getting our money! My everything is the same as you besides the fees.
@Sleeplessness: turbo tax and yes every year I pay upfront don’t like waiting on the other banks. This year I filed 2/15 accepted same day. Got 846 this morning for 3/16 and my money came an hour ago on chime. WMR one bar
@Relief2020: who did you file with and did you pay fees upfront?
@Smiley50: yes WMR will update tomorrow morning.
Just a question. My transcripts show 846 code but WMR hasn’t moved. Is this something that happens?
Yall chime just hit!!! 💰😇 go check yall accounts. My 846 was 03/16 this morning. Goood luck everyone it’s coming!!
I literally just deep dived into my transcript and saw that I am no longer 0505, I’m now 0705. Is that why I haven’t updated yet?
@Sheila_33: I checked no new codes
@Sheila_33: thank you such for that! I was wondering what the real ddd would be
@Starchild1111: Anyone updating today would have a 3/4 ddd tomorrow on their Wmr. The 3/16 is to make sure the refund is deposited by then.
@Sheila_33: whats the march 16 next to 846 code? Whats the ddd date agiain?
Whats the 846 3/16 ddd again?
846 code! I had to ID verify so it’s been a journey.
When do you think it’ll hit my account?
@Helpplz: 1-800-908-4490
@Sheila_33: ok thank you
@Sheila_33: Im crossing my fingers it updates some time today. I tried calling but was on hold for 30 min then it hung up 😭💔
Does anyone from Michigan have “pending review “ for state refund? I’m not sure what’s going on this yr but I never had this happen with my state refund
@Yearly lurker: late* night on 2/19
Filed last night on 2/19, eic credit, first time checking my transcripts was today and I have 846 code. Good luck everyone!
@Matt7650: Honestly makes me think they’re looking at something but no new codes is a good thing.
@Justgimmemymoney: Since you’re really just a week into processing, you may update to a refund date on the next cycle thru. But, check that previous years transcript to make sure there are no new codes or offsets showing up.
@Yes it’s tax time: The 3/9 date beside the 570 is when they want it resolved by. The 3/16 date is to make sure the notice arrives by then.
@TipfromTampa: Well, there’s definitely something going on because if there’s no hold codes on that transcript or previous transcripts, that 846 should have placed. Unless you just haven’t updated as of yet today.
I just filed an amended return a few days ago. I got my initial with the very first round of path deposits. Cycle code 01.
What should I expect in terms of wait times, transcript codes, etc.
@Sheila_33: Also remeber I told you all my past 6 years transcripts the as of date was 3/9/26…..they also all changed to 3/16/26
@Sheila_33: 2/22
Anyone have the number to verify?
I still have the 570 the date next to it is 3/9 this morning I received a code 971 with a 3/16 date next to it the letter stated to do nothing. Is the 3/16 date when I’m going to clear?
In case this helps anyone else, DIL filed towards the end of January and had zero updates on transcripts once PATH was lifted. No action codes, nothing listed in IRS account, etc. She received a letter over the weekend that she needed to ID Verify, even after filing with IP Pin. She called Tuesday morning and verified and her transcripts updated this morning to 846.
@Sheila_33: I checked both his and mine; as ofs all 3-9 but 0.00 and no offsets according to the offset line, this is my first time filing joint. Never cycled this many times with no update at all.
Filed with injured spouse form with TT 1/26 accepted 1/27 had 570 and updated this morning with 846 ddd 3/16. Hopefully with Wells Fargo I see it sooner. Good luck to everyone still waiting!!!
So will we be seeing chime deposits today 😃
Finally 846 DD 3/16
@Beenpatientallmylifetillnow: I still have 570 but my as of date is still 3/9/2026
@Shanshan22🩷: I’m praying next week we see some movement!!🙏🏾