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.
@RELIEF2020: We should update tomorrow night into Friday morning early hours but maybe they will start adding them like they did last night for dailies early tomorrow evening. I doubt it but still hopeful!
Any 0505’s update Filed 1/15 accepted 1/19 as of date changed from 2/24 to 3/3 @6am today no other changes since all good codes accept 846
@Jersey girl: yes I understand that I am a weekly and all that but found it weird they all had the exact 0505 code as me.
@Prettygirlssmoke: sbtpg.com
I’m Katrina, been coming on this site a long time 😊
@Prettygirlssmoke: Direct deposit date isn’t till the 24th if you paid for 5 day early with TT they will go off when WMR updates not when transcripts update
NHBankers worj 2-24-25 ddd keep us updated on when the money drops 🕺
I did get my 846 last night. Now that I know I will be getting a refund- how long does it take for it to deposit into your account? I guess what I am asking is now that the 846 says refund issued- what’s the time frame for my deposit to my hit account? Like the soonest to latest?.
@Jenny04: I would try the ID verification line and tell them you think you need to ID verify that number is 1-800-908-4490. I would just say something like I got notification when I was logging into my IRS account to check my return….
I spoke to cross rivers bank, and they said they haven’t received anything for me from the IRS. I got a 846 last night. I opted for the 5days faster from turbo tax. I also went on sbtg and they have no information regarding me. I thought that once the 846 is issued the money is transferred. Can anyone help with this? Please and Thank you in advance.
Can anyone tell me what number and how to talk to a live agent at IRS to check on my taxes? any help would be great. I have no transcripts at all for 2024 and i filed and accepted on 1/31/25 and i am a pather
@Confused in ohio: Not yet waiting hoping today since i have 2/24 and paid tt $25.00 for 5 days early and my bank gives me deposits 2 days early today would be the 5 days of the 24 . I usually receive me checks deposited tonight at 830 from my job instead of friday.
@Mom_of_3: just means refund freeze, refund freeze released, and 420 means examination…a live person will examine.
Why cant I find my transcipts
@Monee: I completely agree! Not everyone shows that much grace, and it definitely warmed my heart ❤️
Turbo tax is showing payment completed
@44244: your a weekly and will update tomorrow night into Friday..
Still no 846, oh well….at least I know my codes are all good. Just keeps me from spending money!!!
@Harris: thank you for being so graceful and sweet to our Honeybee💕 we need more like you
Any pathers get a deposit yet
Hey guys!
I am a pather , filed 1/30 cycle code 0602 filed through Jackson Hewitt and received advance, and I received my 846 last night with a EDD of 2/24. I’m wondering if anyone has received their funds yet? I am having mine deposited into my Jackson Hewitt serve card which I believe to be a NHB. TIA
@Jersey girl: I have the exact same cycle code as the 05’s that processed last night and my transcripts have been complete for weeks
@Harris: lol ooooohhhhh yes, I know how that can turn out unfortunately! Some people are just adamant that what they believe the truth, and if someone tries saying differently…the claws come out. Most everyone on this site are so kind and helpful though, so it cancels out the negative 😊
IM AN 0705 weekly my 21 days is friday any insight on how this will play out and when will weeklies update on transcripts? congratulations to everyone that got the 846 means $$$$$ on the way!! i was accpeted by irs 1/31 all codes good on transcripts just missing 846 code. pather using chime for deposit as of date went from 2/24 to 3/03
@Honeybee82: and thank you for correcting the info I posted even though you didnt direct to or at me. I don’t want to misinform anyone!
@Honeybee82: yes it is but worth the wait!
Can anyone tell me how venmo does with tax refunds???
Off topic but has anyone received Illinois movement for state
@Honeybee82: and yes when some ’05 dailies stated they were weeklies I sure wasn’t going to tell them they were wrong because you know how that goes lol
I received codes 810,811, 420 in that order. Not sure what this means for me, but I have always filed the same for years. First time I’ve ever seen this.
@Harris: lol that’s awesome! I missed the boat because I took a break from checking the site…thinking we wouldn’t start seeing anything until after midnight (joke’s on me!) 😂. Now we just have to wait for the deposits to start rolling in…another waiting game lol
Just checked out my transcript from last year had a 846 for 2/22/24 received my DD via cash app on 2/20/24 so I’m assuming this year with the 846 on 2/24/25 is cash app users may receive it 2/22/25
@Honeybee82: I got in quickly and I believe it is because soon as I saw the first transcript update post I was out of here and over to irs.gov. check my transcript and BOOM! 846! (Not yelling, excitement lol)
05 dailies updated to 846 last night into this morning. Dedicated weeklies we will update tomorrow night into Friday. We have just one more day until that magical 846 🎉 it’s coming 🙌