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.
@monee:I verified on a Fri and by Wednesday after the Friday my wmr changed to its being processed then that Thursday into Fri my transcripts updated
@MSRazorbackPhD: ok thanks for responding ! I filed on 1/27 accepted same day!! Congratulations and again, thanks for responding back
@Yourfavgirl: On 01/15…I had to look it up.
Anyone in Virginia receive there state refund today?
I think Path is going to lift on the 15th no matter if it’s a weekend now as far as people receiving there money IDK people will probably see they money Tuesday the 18th I received my money on the 16th last year on a Friday
@MSRazorbackPhD: when did u file?
@Monee: my wording didn’t change for 5vdays after I verified then it said its being processed then I updated on transcripts then that sat my wmr updated to path msg
@Monee:
Did you receive a letter stating you need to ID verify? How did you know you needed to do ID Verify?
What did they ask you to have to verify? What questions did they ask you?
Thank you so much for your response.
Where’s my refund?
@Sheila_33: thank you very much!!
@Mina Mina: Yes, pretty much the only way
@MSRazorbackPhD: Congratulations!
@Ale: Early in the year, 4 weeks maybe. Send it in a priority envelope so you can track it getting there and being received.
@Samiam: Hopefully not, since the payment will process before the path releases.
@Sheila_33: Sheila how does it usually take if files by mail? I heard like 7 weeks? But can it before that?
@Dd:
At most 24 hrs
I literally just got my MS state tax refund deposited. Never in my life has it happened this quickly..not complaining!
@Jenny04: I believe we’ll see a lot of people with no hold banks seeing refunds on the 19th but as far as the transcript date, the soonest would be 2/24 for dailies
@LoveMy3Munchkins: if you have eitc or ACTC you won’t update until next week after path lifts if no credits probably this Friday like mine
@Sheila_33: ok thank you
@Walter DOG: ok thank you
@Sheila_33: yes ma’am i sure will. Thank you!