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.
@Zara1: mine did too a few hours before lol
@DebMom: Thank you.Its shows all 2025 for all 4 accounts but all 0000 on all
@AriUniq: 1/30 but had to fax corrected 8962 a few weeks ago. Odd first time I got a refund before the transcript showed 846 something tells me that they are delaying posting those
@DebMom: Wow congrats! When did you file? This is a weird year!
Account transcript still blank but my refund just posted
Anyone know what date this is?
20261005
I know 2026 is the year,
And I’m a weekly hence 05 but when is the 10th week?
@Zara1: very good possibility it will
@Tia: Thank you.I was hoping it was a 846 today lol
@Zara1: it should load by tomorrow
@Zara1: could be today but not sure if it’s a regular processing day or elongated so check again after 5pm
Good afternoon I have a question. I just checked my transcripts and it has all 2025 for each but there not filled out and its all 0000 .Will they filled out today or next week?Just wondering Thanks
@Kikachu not logged in: most of mine updated last hour. Were not there earlier though regular transcript still blank and as of 3/2
So all transcripts finally available except still blank regular account. Account and return showing correct amounts so that’s something. Is there a chance the regular account one will populate with 846 today since the other ones are available and correct as of today?
Has anyone transcripts updated midday today so far? Or just overnight?
Has anyone had to do the verification. How long did it take to update and you received your refund?
Married Joint- Self Employed
Filed and Accepted 2/26
4 children
Transcripts are blank still. Anyone having this issue too?
Hey did anyone transcripts update today? Mine are still blank and says a date of 03/16. Yesterday my refund trackers changed from still being processed to being processed
Hello, has anyone’s transcripts ever updated during the day on Fridays? I’m just wondering if they are done updating or if they are done for the day. I’m also a weekly.
@Anotheryearofwaiting2026: not finished processing for any reason
**You can be an 05 yet still be a daily.
**Transcripts update each day and even night.
**Your transcripts can be blank, then all of a sudden fully populate within minutes
Anyone know what blank transcripts mean?
@Grapesoda22: same here! 3/5 filed and accepted, but nothing! My social security statement has updated with my 2025 income
If my social security income for 2025 has updated, but no change in transcripts yet, I’m a weekly.
Does that mean I have to wait til next week for an update?
Does anyone know if they are finished updating the transcripts for today? I’m a weekly.
@Shanshan22🩷: No for real I’m over it!
@Yes it’s tax time: I’ll update with any changes…if anything changes…
@Yes it’s tax time: same
@Tay25: I’m a weekly and have not updated yet!
Any weeklies updated yet?
@Ryaaaan: yes that happens to me I had to wait for a verification letter
@Tay25: this part 🙃 But I wish 😔 I’m on 7-3 this week so I gotta go but I’m checking here first when I get up 😂😂😂😂 If any of the people I’ve seen in here waiting say they got theirs then I might get excited…
Almost time to start stalking the transcripts….Lol…🤞
@Tiff765: 05 means you update weekly. It’s usually overnight Thursday and all day Friday for transcripts. Saturdays for Wmr. If we update in our transcripts tonight/Friday with 846. Our wmr will update with a ddd Wednesday 3/18. If we have no hold banks we will get our money before Wednesday. I’ve been waiting for a while bc I filed IS so I hope tonight is the night for us all
So my wife filled on 2/10 and nothing at all just one bar.. any one else in the same boat
@Tiff765: I’m waiting to update after verifying too. There is a good chance you will update tonight.
@Tiff765: I filed 2/25 went from status processing to not processed. No movement on transcript and no notices yet. Waiting impatiently. Also cycle 05 from previous years.
Hi, I filed 1/31, accepted 2/1, verified 2/24, irs lady said the verification fully processed through on 3/4. My transcript is blank with an as of date as 3/9. All prior years I was 05 cycle code. Is it possible to update tonight? I’m not sure what to think. I haven’t seen any movement, nothing at all and I’m starting to worry.
Anyone on WMR have a deposit date of march 13th and gotten their deposit ? Or will it drop tomorrow. Every year i feel the deposit dates change lmao
@OhioBred87: This year sucks 😂
@MommaLee89: yea me too!
@Grapesoda22
It’s normal. A blank transcript can fully populate and with an 846 code within minutes. Don’t sweat it. ;)
@Shanshan22🩷: I’m starting to stress about it and I don’t to particularly like that lol so what I think I’m gonna do is just not even think about it and stop checking cause mine is just a wage verification, why it’s taking so long is beyond me but I’m giving myself more grey hairs by the day smh 🤣
@OhioBred87: I’m starting to stress about it and I don’t to particularly like that lol so what I think I’m gonna do is just not even think about it and stop checking cause mine is just a wage verification, why it’s taking so long is beyond me but I’m giving myself more grey hairs by the day smh 🤣
Filed 3/5 accepted 3/5. My acct still shows no transcript for 2025 – is that normal? This is my first time applying after PATH lifts, normally I’m an early filer
@Shanshan22🩷: Nothing for me either. I called them and got the same script….wait 9wks from the day I verified but she said it won’t take that long…blah blah….this ish is ridiculous!
@MommaLee89: me either 😩
@Tay25: Okay, thank you for responding. This is the first time I’ve ever accessed my transcript.
@Justagirl: I think thats normal. It may update sometime this week.
I only filed 3/4. Just wondering if anyone knows why my transcript is saying no tex return filed? I’m not expecting much movement as its just been a week but I’m anxious about whether or not my refund will be offset for student loans. Just wondering why my transcripts says no tax returned filed when they accepted already
I got my refund at 6:00 this morning