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.
@Tigerlili_1: i usually sit in the back, but so nice to see you Tigerlilili_1!! I always feel like money is finna drop when I see you in the chat!!!
@panic!: Only dailies 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05 updated last night. Not weekly 05s
@panic!: weeklies won’t update until tomorrow night/Friday. There was some confusion because there were 05 people who got their 846 last night, but they are the 05 dailies. A lot of them thought they were weekly, but either switched to an 05 daily this year or just didn’t realize they were a daily. Any 05 people who haven’t updated today, are weeklies…and will update tomorrow night/Friday 😊
Has anyone who is PATH, used TT and opted for 5 days early gotten any DD yet?? My 846 says 2-24 and I chose the 5 day early option but still nothing. Maybe I’m being impatient?
0505 no 846 for me :(
@Buckey12: no 846 here
@panic!: yes but weekly and dailies updated last night
@Walkingthepath: I go to id.me
@Walkingthepath: irs.gov you have to create an account if you don’t already have one.
have any weekly pathers updated to 846? seen several early filers dailies say they have but no weeklies at all
@Walkingthepath: irs.gov
@Hallelujah846: what app or site do you use to check your transcripts and?
Is it a site or app to check transcripts and what is it called ?
PATHer here, was accepted on 1-17, transcripts updated last night with 846 for 2-24, I opted for 5 days early thru TT, if that is the case shouldn’t I see my refund today?
@Jennthepen: are u a daily or weekly/?
@Jennthepen: are u a dai;y or weekly/?
I filed and was accepted on 2/6. I still have the message that I haven’t processed yet, no option for 2024 transcripts obviously and it says that I don’t have any notices or letters. It feels like a strange tax year so far but hopefully those of us that are waiting to process will do so by this weekend.
@Harris: oh really! are u a daily??
What app or site do you guys use to check your transcripts?
@Gorillamom4: same here, u pathers?
@panic!: alot of pathers updated last night around 9p.m. I’m one of them. Go back through comments and you’ll see
I’m a Pather, and I have updated. I’m not sure when the update happened, but I can confirm.
@Gorillamom4: yeaa me either my wife had a date of the 24th but got her 846 but mines say the 27th with No 846 has me a little upset🤣
@Jmichigan.: yeah but I don’t owe I have called the offset number and I have not received any letters or anything. I honestly believe it’s just updating and the system is just tired lol thank you for your help.
I have always been a weekly for the past years and guess I went to daily this time around I just checked my transcripts and I have the 846 code for 2/24
@EagerlywaitingNC:
Mine is saying the same Exact thing.. They are going to send you a notice in the mail you have to verify your Identity.
@Sheila_33 Will an offset show up on tax transcripts or only on wmr?
so no pathers updated?? this aint good.they was no holiday yesterday.dailies at least ….hope no idiot screwed it all up
@MH: not sure I am 0505 and i still have 2/17 processing date i did not update last night nor did my bf with the same cycle and processing date
Refunds aren’t released based on lower or higher dollar amount. They’re processed and released once the system verifies your information. If any red flags pop up, discrepancies, duplicate ssn filings, etc
@WASTATEGIRL24: Actually cycle code 4
@MH:
@DizzyGator: Mines is the same… Most likely you are going to have Verify your Identity they will send you a notice in the mail.
@Paisley, @buckey12: Thank you!
@Lo: Looks like your one of the unlucky few to not be processed yet….
@Lo: You probably gone have to ID verify. That’s what’s happening to a lot of ppl that transcripts say O, or still being processed.
@Godmachine81:
Mine is saying the same thing and i have to ID verify. Still waiting on the notice tom come in the mail.
@Isittoosoontoworry: I filed 1/31 accepted same day and my transcripts say no return filed still.
My return was submitted and accepted January 23rd so 27 days, I have one bar on wmr with path, and no 846