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.
@Saysay: I have not received a date or a refund
@AriUniq: Currently is the same boat. Filed and accepted the same dates as you.
@DebMom: and*
Did it come on date before and what time thanks
@DebMom: did you get your refund sbd with chime what time may I ask thanks you
@PassingThrough: mine. Got the email and that was my change. I’m hoping it shows they are working on the corrected 8962 I faxed a few weeks ago
@MomOf4Gurls: Thanks for your update! I did TurboTax as well and going to get the refund send to our credit karma account. We have 4 kids. I’ll sit back and wait a little longer! Congratulations to you🥳
@AriUniq: Filed 2/26; Accepted 2/26
WMR SHOWS 1 bar
transcripts updated overnight with 846 3/30/26
Fees paid upfront with 5 day early option. EIC, CTC…3 kids 1 W2 HOH.
TurboTax just sent an
Email that my refund has been received and to expect it by EDO 3/10.
Checked the app. $35 fee paid for 5 days early to TurboTax
Filed married jointly
Filed & Accepted 2/26
Transcripts are completely blank. Anyone going through something similar? We usually get out return within a week or 2 with no issues.
Got the update for 3/23/26 and the message should be sent to the bank by 03/11/26. See a lot of people saying they already got their deposit. Congratulations. I guess I have to put it on a prepaid card in order to get it early because I haven’t got any early deposit and my transcripts updated to that message Friday of last week. 😔 Congratulations to everyone that has got their money. Hopefully tomorrow.
@Jadebiteyou: congratulations I pray I update too!!🤞🏾🎉🎉
@Jadebiteyou: omg congratulations 🎉 hopefully I update soon 🤞🩷
Good morning!! I check my transcripts and it seems like they only have my 2025 wage transcripts as of today. Do we know how long before my account transcripts will show? I filed and was accepted either 3/5 or 3/6
@OhioBred87: 829 140 and say you want to speak about an audit that will let u go straight to a rep.
@Ale: when I go to check wmr I see deposit date at the bottom scroll down
@Ale: Santa barbara will have it on that day. And send to your bank on your refund date
What’s the number to call to speak to a live IRS rep? Because I need to know what’s the delay and why I have yet seen any movement!
@Jadebiteyou: I am also a 03… I have yet to update to 571 or 846. Have as of date 3/9 next to my 970. This is getting ridiculous!
@Shanshan22🩷: I just checked and I updated with my 571 and 846 and I’m 03
@Creolequeen9000: the message after verifying says that but everyone I have seen has had a ddd within a few days of verifying. I just verified today and am hoping I update Friday.
After successfully verifying return and identity online, is it normal for the message to say in the event of another issue, they could send out another letter?
@Creolequeen9000: I got an update with a DD one week after doing the online verification. Hopefully yours will update soon too!
@Saysay: no, sorry for my long wait to respond. Ok I’ll check on Santa Barbara then. Thank you
@Ale: do you have chime ?
@Ale: soon as the irs sends to third party , third party send to you , you can check Santa Barbara website to see if it’s been sent to them
@Saysay: ok and then how long it will take for remaining be put in my bank?
@Hector Santiago: I’m similar to your situation
@Hector Santiago: do you have chime ?
@Ale: going through third party Santa Barbara for fees to be taken out
Any getting STATUS NOT AVAILABLE after a week of being accepted?
Have yall heard it take up to 9 weeks for verification after you submit information as it take up to 21 days to even receive the identification letter
Can someone please if you know answer this for me. So I filed my own taxes wiht TT but I did not pay fee upfront. Would that delay my deposit? Or how does that work? Tia
Sorry that posted twice
@OhioBred87: me either in my processing date is today 3-9-26
In my 570 is dated 3/2/2026.
Cycle code 03
I Hope we update tonight
@OhioBred87: me either in my processing date is today 3-9-26
In my 570 is dated 3/2/2026.
Cycle code 03
I sure hope we update soon ☹️
I received an HR Block update on Saturday saying I have an update on my refund status. Transcript shows 846 date for 3.23 and I checked WMR this morning and it shows a deposit date for 3.11. I filed on 2.19.
@Shanshan22🩷: Sill no update for me but my as of date is 3/9 next to my 971 so hopefully some movement today 🥺🥺
@Sabrina Rae: This is a non-IRS debt from BFS and it will not show on the transcript until next week with an 898 code. This department will intercept and take what is owed and send you the rest.
@Justagirl: Yeah, I thought it was odd to have it show up before the 21 days… hopefully just a glitch!
My ex has been getting the exceeded limit of checking, too.
Good luck!
@Ry: I filed on 2/10 using freefile site, loading and filling out the forms myself. I hate fees ha. Accepted same day, transcript updated 3/6 evening to codes 150 and 970., as of date 3/23.
Turns out IRS gave me senior credit (I’m 69) that I forgot to take credit for. It saved me trouble of having to file an amended return.
My WMR only one bar but I expect 846 this week.
Best of luck. It’s coming
@FM1221: I just filled mine the 4th and I can’t get on WMR at all. It keeps saying you’ve exceeded the limit or something but each time has been my first time that day just checking. I didn’t attempt to check it until the 6th and said that the very first time. I don’t expect anything to move this quickly but its weird I can’t even check it. I think its having technical issues. I said I wasn’t going to check mine at all again until after next week and see what happens.
I checked WMR tonight, and it says “we apologize, processing is taking longer” or something like that.
But I only filed 6 days ago. What’s up with that?
I filed 3-2 and accepted right away. My transcripts for 2025 popped up, but all 00, as of date 3-23.
Head of household
3 dependants
1 w2, all the same for years
Good Night everyone! Has anyone experienced WMR message changing from “still processing,” to “We have received…it is being processed,” then again to “We apologize, return processing has been delayed” message, the week after verification cleared, but no transcript updates? Is it possible to update to TC 846 with the next batch update?
My wife filed on 2/10 and it hasn’t moved at all so I wonder if we will get an update tonight and maybe have a deposit date soon anyone else file on 2/10?
@Melissa76148: I have chime in expecting it 3/10 that morning I have a ddd by date 3/11
So my husband and I filed 2/26/26 was accepted within 15 minutes. Now when we check WMR under his social it says “ Status Not Available”, but when I check it under my social it’s showing the one bar. We haven’t checked transcripts because we haven’t signed up for LoginID.
@Melissa76148: I’m assuming the transcript gives you the latest possible date. WMR says 3/11. I’d expect it on that date depending on the bank you have. I use an alternate account always for my taxes. Chime to be exact and Ive never received my refund before the date on WMR.
So my account transcript refund date says 3/23 but the WMR says I will have my deposit 3/11.
Which one of these should I trust??
@Sabrina Rae: I believe the amount beside the 846 is the amount sent to your fiancé so he should get the full refund
Hello my fiancé filed his taxes and his WMR updated to the second bar, but I see the message that it may be reduced due to debts. I check his transcripts, and he got his 846 and it shows the full refund amount. Would it show the amount they “took” on the transcript?
My irs account balance owed went from information not available to 0.00 owed today, Sunday. It has said info not available on account balance owed since they’ve accepted it, and this is the first time seeing a change to that part of the portal. Does this mean my tax return I filed is complete in processing?
Good morning didn’t update my profile but wanted to say filed 2/25 transcript been blank as of 3/23. Woke up today to email from IRS saying I had a status update. Logged it said refund approved 3/11 dd. I checked yesterday am was nothing. Cycle code 01.
@Texamomof3: If it shows up in the mail, he can try to use it and hopefully, it will just resolve the verify.
@Kikachu not logged in: That’s interesting, I’ve never heard or personally had an issue with that. Do you try doing it on different devices?
@Sheila_33:
Hey sis I have a question
My son called about his missing ID verify letter the post office lost, he was trying to get replacement letter, the rep asked him questions to access his information, she said he failed the questions and need to go in person.
He said you didn’t ask me for my control number and he wasn’t told he was verify, she just needed information to look at his return. She was irritating because she just kept saying now he has to go in person to verify even if he get a letter in the mail.
He said I don’t have my control number she how did I fail verification.
Can he just still use his letter if it comes in the mail?
@Creolequeen5000: same
@Kikachu not logged in: I filed 3/2 got approved 3/6. No dependents.
@Kikachu not logged in: that happen to me too and it was my first time checking. I said maybe it’s just too many ppl on it and glitches. I didnt check anymore.
@Kikachu not logged in: Sounds like a ID issue
Also, if I filed via hrblock using tax pro 3/4 & taxes were accepted that day, when could I expect for the taxes to be approved? I think in previous years i update on wed/Saturdays but I could be wrong. My 2025 transcript still isnt available
Hey tax family! Here we are at another beautiful tax season! I filed much later this year than I ever have, so I’m not sure what to expect. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly. Question, I filed someones taxes for them and anytime I check their refund status in wmr, it ALWAYS says the amount of times looked has been exceeded. Its done this for days when its literally my 1st time checking for the day. Is anyone else running into this? No one else is checking I know for sure.
@Chinx Fetty: 💰 💴!!!! Congrats!!!
I still haven’t updated because of some stupid verification and still haven’t received a letter.
Filed 1/23
Accepted 1/26
Path message dropped on 3/1
WMR updated this morning to DDD 3/11
I filed IS form as well
@Sheila_33: it did update around 6am. My money is already in my account. Thanks for all your advice this season. It’s appreciated
@Coldinpa not logged in: 3/23 is the as of date, so you should see a Wmr update of 3/11 in a day or two. I think there is some kind of system update this weekend and things are running slow.
I have 846 for 3-23-26, Wmr tool didn’t update with a ddd …..My refund hit my account at 1:27 pm
Then my actual payroll hit my account at 1:28 pm !!!!! what a week leading to an amazing weekend.
Nevermind, money is in my account!
I have 846 for 3-23-26, that i got yesterday. Wmr tool didn’t update with a ddd today. Am I still good?
@texasmomof3: No my daughter didn’t either it’s blank the first update then filled the next update my daughter got her first then I was the next week
@Verri Cherri:
Congratulations, did you have a message on ID.Me that you needed to verify?
My Son received a message that he needed to verify and his letter was lost by the post office and I’m hoping that he will update what a direct deposit date would without needing to verify because so far they have not sent him a second letter.
So were you notified you had to verify and you updated with a direct deposit date with doubt verifying your return?
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