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.
@Sheila_33: how can I check sbtpg to see if my refund is there everytime i enter my information it’s saying it’s wrong is there a certain way I should enter my refund amount my ddd is 3/4
@Sheila_33: thank you 😊
Good morning everyone. 03s processing today! Good luck :)
@Azluckyfish: If you don’t owe anything, then most likely the account will adjust it and you wouldn’t need to amend.
@Matt7650: I starting to feel this is unjustified behavior of them smh lol
@Coldinpa not logged in: well how long does processing take this is ridiculous, we should have been processed yesterday smh
@Justgimmeemymoney919: Thank you for answering me, do you know if he would get a refund for me being disabled or would it just be a tax deduction?
Called the irs, she said im in processing still and nothing is wrong.
@MommaLee89: me to I’m still here
@MommaLee89: 570 still here. Date next to 570 3/2/26 as of date 3/16/26. Nothing has changed.
@MommaLee89: same here
Can any one please answer question.i have never amended before if im owed $43 do I need to amend it forgot to add canceled debt for 1800 if I dont owe them do I need to amend ? Also how long does amend return take if I have to efile
03 daily here and still no update for me(as of yet) just still looking at this ugly 570 code going on 3 weeks now. The date beside the code was yesterday and as of date still says 3/9🤦🏾♀️ I’m not understanding at all what the problem is
How soon can I get a tax advocate? I can’t wait forever for my refund.
Congrats to all who landed the 846 today on your transcript! If you have a NHB you likely can expect your deposit later today in the afternoon. Otherwise your DDD should be 3/6 which can be confirmed tomorrow on WMR. We will be keeping an eye out for the 1st deposits of the week to stat dropping….watch for the Cashcopter this week!
Hugs to anyone facing codes that might worry you.
Some common ones might be 570 but hopefully 571 for some of you!
Here are some helpful links…
🔗 https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transcript-codes/
🔗 https://igotmyrefund.com/no-hold-bank-nhb-or-traditional-financial-institution-tfi/
🔗 https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transaction-code-570-and-delayed-tax-refunds/
Do I need to amend 2024 for 1800 canceled debit it shows I dont owe in fact the owe me $43 lol I have never amended before
Good morning everyone….does anyone know how to get a live person at sbtpg? Or is it even possible…???
@Justgimmeemymoney919: the original amount
I have code 971 notice issued co 0014. Do I have to wait for the notice? Its for unpaid taxes.
Any updates yet?
@Tinku: thank you
@Queen_pisces I filed 2/20/26 and 846 for 3/23/26 02 cycle code
@Sheila_33 I just recieved my 846 code for 2/23/26 I filed 2/20/26 accepted same day it only took 6 business days not including the weekends to update they change my cycle code 02
My transcripts have filled out within the last four hours or so.
@Tabby25: if bank acc chsnges that usually extra flag they check . Adress change is flah these two need extra checks for fraud . Rest are normal stuff can add day or two but isially fast
Is it 2 sites?
Has anyone ever gotten on received by irs on TurboTax. I thought it would say accepted?
@Annaka: yes he can claim you.
Has anyone received an update for their NYS refund?
@Helppz: My DIL had to I’d verify this year. She completed verification with a rep last Tuesday morning and her transcripts updated last Friday with 846 and had her deposit same day around 11 am.
@Smiley50: If it goes the way it has so far this year, you should see funded evening or late night day before DDD and have your money on your DDD, afternoon hours.
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: are you putting in your original amount or the amount after their fees?
Hi, I have a tax question. I am 45 and physically disabled. I am on disability , but it is not much. This past year my 18 year old son has basically been the caregiver for me ( I can’t drive, he either takes me to my appointments or the grocery store. I rarely leave the house.) He also works and has been paying most of the bills, rent and stuff. Can he claim me as a dependent on his taxes? Or would it not make a difference?
Can anyone help me reach I live person at sbtpg @Smiley50: how can y pi y check sbtpg its telling me my information is wrongv
Can anyone help me reach I live person at sbtpg
@Marion: same fingers crossed we update this week
@Atweezy: I’m still waiting since 2/17
Filed 1/23 accepted same day verified 2/17 wmr changed from in review to delayed past normal processing transcripts still blank hoping to update this week
Any one have to verify return? How long did you wait after you successfully verified?
CHECK YOUR TRANSCRIPTS AND WMR! I didn’t process last Friday and I’m normally a weekly. I haven’t checked my transcripts or WMR since Saturday. I just checked WMR on the IRS website and it says refund approved with DD date of 3/5. And the. I checked the transcripts and the 846 code is there. I didn’t expect processing til the end of the week. I filed 2/18. Also my cycle code says 0901. I’ve never seen it say that. I selected TT 5 days early so we will see what happens.
@Deano: Sorry about the double oops
@JustMeFirstOne: That code has to do with a social security number being wrong number
They can’t access the information they are needing
@JustMeFirstOne: That code has to do with a social security number being wrong number
They can’t access the information they are needing info source came from this page
i owed Georgia $198 for back taxes. my refund was $1098 this year. my $900 green amount zeroed out and refund status says refund was offset to pay debt. when do i get the rest?
i think this is why my federal was taking so long
I have had a WMR code of 9001 for a week or two. I haven’t really seen a problem with this code for 2025, had anybody experienced any issues? (On hold with the IRS right now)
@Saysay: Yes it is and on my transcripts.
@Smiley50: ddd is this from irs website ?
Hi again,
Just wondering how SBTPG works with fees being taken out. I have a DD for 3/4, will I see that reflected in my account on 3/4 or would it come the day after?
I filed 2/18, accepted 2/19. Have had blank wage transcript for 2 weeks. This past Friday my account transcript appeared with all 0s and an as of date of 3/16. No codes. My wmr updated Saturday morning to the review message. Is this normal? Virtually everything changed since last year. The company i work for sold so my place of employment technically changed. I had a baby, moved, new bank account, etc. Is the review likely due to the changes?
@Sheila_33: yes it basically said there’s nothing more needed on my end and notifying me of the delay
@Yes it’s tax time: The 971 is most likely a notice so it may just be explaining what they’re looking at or requesting more information.
@Sunsetmoon: I believe 2 tries if I’m not mistaken.
I filed through TurboTax on February 8th and got accepted on the same day. Never received a letter in the mail for verification but I had the message appear on the IRS portal so went in and got verified on Friday February 27th. Does anyone know the time frame for the next update my refund date was supposed to be on March 1st
@Sheila_33: My thoughts are to try it with the 1% and see if it rejects or an accepts. Is there a limit on Rejections before the IRS flags it?
@Sheila_33: I tried that also. Just to test it out. It gave me an error message when I entered 0.01.
My return still said reviewing so I logged in to IRS.gov to figure out why, and it’s prob because I have 24 1099misc issued by tiktok to the IRS saying they paid me royalties that I never received. Anyone else experienced this please lmk cuz I dunno what to do
@Sheila_33: I seen that you stated no new codes were good but I went from a 570 to a 971 and the letter that I received stated to do nothing and WMR still says processing…I’m thinking it’s not bad or am I wrong?
@Sunsetmoon: I also wonder if you finish the return with the 1% if its going to say there’s an issue with that total percentage and give you the option to fix it.
@Sunsetmoon: That is so strange. I wonder if its a glitch on FreeTax’s part. Does it make a difference if you put in a decimal like .01 percent?
@Sheila_33: this is exactly what I did. Mine has 100% across all three columns. We put hers as 0% across all three. But, if I change hers to 1% across all three, it accepts it.
My return still said reviewing so I logged in to IRS.gov to figure out why, and it’s prob because I have 24 1099misc issued by tiktok to the IRS saying they paid me royalties that I never received. Anyone else experienced this please lmk cuz I dunno what to do