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.
@MommaLee89: I hope so to cause mine say the same thing. Fingers 🤞
@Coldinpa not logged in: I asked for one, you gave me a basket full lol. Most likely they’re just verifying by reconciling the information internally and it will resolve. And on the positive side, a 570 is a lot better than an audit code. :)
@Sheila_33: new job, new baby, 1099 from 401k withdraw
I haven’t posted yet this year. Was waiting to see if things moved along. I filed 2/17. So far I have no transcripts for 2025 except wage and it only shows mine and not my husbands. Is anyone else in this boat?
@Coldinpa not logged in: Did you claim anything new this year? You said you went thru the return with a fine tooth comb and all is correct, so that 570 makes me wonder what they’re looking at.
My wmr switched to “still being processed”. Probly not a good thing. 22 days since I filed, still 570.
@Sheila_33: ok no new code on previous transcript just the date change finger crossed for update soon and thank you for responding in a timely manner
@Queen_pisces: I think its a positive when dates move on transcripts. And I had the same before I updated to an 846. Just make sure to check that previous year and make sure no new codes have popped up. If not, you might just be getting ready to update. :)
@SamfromMA: 877-908-7228
@MommaLee89: same
@Sheila_33: this morning i woke up to as of date change from 3/16/26 to 3/23/26 transcript still blank but also when I check previous transcript I see that my 2023 transcript change to the same date 3/23/26 what’s going on im confused
@Yes it’s tax time: I didn’t check it at all yesterday
@MommaLee89: Did you check it yesterday or just now? I’m on the 570 path as well
I see my WMR changed from the PATH message to my return is being processed, hopefully that’s good news after dealing with this 570 code for almost 3 weeks🙏🏾
Where’s my refund
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: (877) 908-7228 , I finally got through, even though they say they don’t have mine yet 🙄 but online says they took their advance back 🤔
@Dollbaby127: what number you call for stbg? When I call it asks me to put in some number
@Dollbaby127: thank you so much do you have the number for them
@Mamaduke26: I don’t want to give bad news. Take Action usually means you are audited. But you have a 846 so I’m confused.
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: Santa barbara website is wrong. You have to call the number. Only time it shows on their website is the Day they send it to your bank
I filed my 25 return but its on hold due to an error on my 22 tax return I faxed my 22 return how long will it take to recieve my money?
@MommyT: Yes 3/4 is my gd has the date but she got hers today on chime Republic bank don’t play they get them refunds out
@846 yet???: If you can’t access his transcripts you need to call. But if he was just accepted his transcripts not got show right now because they haven’t started processing his return. To soon for the transcripts to show his refund.
Long time lurker but posting cause Need help please…so here’s my situation. So this is for my son’s tax return. He filed 1/25 and accepted 1/26. Not able to access transcripts as this is his first year filing and nothing to use to access it. As far as WMR it has the still processing return but no tax topic nothing. No movement. It’s way past 21 days so what is the best move from this point. I’m thinking he might need to call them but if anyone can lead me into some insight or help be appreciated.
@Marion: Call to verify that it was successfully cleared online, because many times it’s not sufficient.
@Taxes taxes:Sometimes WMR doesn’t update at all but if you have the 846 for 3/16 on your transcripts, chances are sbtpg will release it this week with the rest with the 3/16 846. I believe the ddd is 3/4 from what I’ve seen.
@Jenny04: Whoever that offset went to is who will have that portion of the refund and will return it. Unless its rejected and sent back to the IRS and then they will send you that balance.
@Mamaduke26: If you updated to the 846 this morning, then your Wmr will change tomorrow to the deposit date.
Filed 1/27 got letter to verify online last week. I did that. Still no update. My transcript is blank with return transcript for 2025 still not even there. Only blank account transcript 25, and wage transcript 25. Can’t get through to a live person for anything and system just keeps disconnecting the call. Past 21 days. No offsets, not nothing… just blank 🤦🏻♀️
Do weekly’s transcripts update on Saturday night?
@Mamaduke26: Generally you should go by transcripts. When did WMR update to take action?
Happy Saturday everyone!
After verifying identity/return, that was cleared and was told by agent, the income/withholding review process will take 4-6 weeks, there’s nothing else needed on my behalf for now. Is that normal, has anyone else had that experience?
@Beenpatientallmylifetillnow: no problem. I would assume you should be ok if you got the letter but you can definitely call and ask
@Verified25: thanks for that information im gonna try to get an appt to go in because I verified online and over the phone and still not updated
So for all you guys that we’re waiting on verification letters if there’s any left. I was getting that message about direct need more information. I never got a letter. I finally had to call two weeks ago and go in and verify. I did that one week ago. Turns out it’s because I never changed my address to the IRS and I’ve had since the last time that I did my taxes. Anyway, I updated Friday deposits coming in March 4. I filed on January 26. So if anybody still waiting for a letter, make sure that you call in because you may need to go in in person.
When I went in, the lady told me nine weeks it’s happening in two so there’s still hope. Call if you haven’t got a letter yet
Is anyone else sbtpg saying there information is wrong I have ddd for 3/16 but everytime I check sbtpg its saying my information is wrong
I suggest we all pay fees up front next year if possible. SBTPG is showing a pattern of only giving the money they receive immediately to the clients that paid for five days early. If you didn’t they hold it till day of which they hope next year millions of people pay them an extra $25 per person just to get our money when they receive it. I usually get my refund 16-18 this is my first year taking fees out of my refund and from what I’m seeing this year I won’t get it till 3/16 because my WMR has still yet to update
@Needsallmine: I’m in the exact same boat
@ Shelia_33 could you give me some insight which I should go by work or transcript
I have 846 on my transcript but WMR it says Take Action that my return is not processed.. my deposit dates is 3/16…which is right my transcript or wmr.. Just confused