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.
@RuthBaby: that’s a different TT product – the “Credit Karma Up To 5 Days Early” deposit is actually a different product than the TT “5 Days Early Guaranteed” product. It seems silly because they sound like almost the same thing, but you are correct that the “Credit Karma up to 5 days early” refund does require sending it to a credit karma account. The “5 days early guaranteed” which people pay $25 for, can be sent to any deposit account, but will first pass through Cross River bank then to your final receiving bank.
@Dentonj88: oh my sending all good vibes your way!
Anybody know how long Republic Bank takes to receive and forward funds after taking out filing fees?
Republic Bank site still shows “A refund for this social security number has not yet been received.”
I filed with TaxAct and had filing fees taken out this year. I usually pay upfront but not this year. 846 dropped last night. Now the wait…
@Sam I am: thanks :)
@Needmymoneynow: I was told by a TT rep that I needed to have my refund sent to a credit karma account in order to get my funds in 5 days.
Hopefully deposits start hitting soon. Come on Chime!!
@Dentonj88: I completely understand! I’m in the same boat! If I see or hear anything yall will be the first to know!!
@Sam I am: good to know..thank you! I’m a big ol ball of stress
Fellow PATHers with a 2/17 processing date and as of date for March 3rd or something goofy…if any of yall start to see your deposits, please let us know… I need a lil ray of positivity today. Bonus if it’s through Chime
@Dentonj88: I got an advance a while back, but have not received my federal yet. But Jackson Hewitt says that the IRS has been releasing PATH fund deposits today.
@WorriedTX: the TT 5 day early is also good for anyone who opted to have their fees taken out of the return – because normally when fees come out the bank that takes the fees will take 1-3 days to post the deposit to the receiving bank. So from what I understand, if you have fees taking out of your refund and have the 5 days early, Cross River bank will post to your bank the same day they receive it.
Does anyone know when my tax prep office should recieve my refund check and print it off? Ddd of 2/24?
@Walter DOG: Hey Walter glad you came on. last night was a wild night all the 05s were updating I thought I was going to be one I’m 0405 cycle my transcripts update in the mid morning as of date went back to Feb 17 2025 processing stayed at Feb 10 2025 and then as of date change back to march 3 2025 still have good codes as of dates are all the same for each past years transcripts Walter did u update to 846 last night being a weekly and did your as of date change back infourth please text back thankyou.
@WorriedTX: they refund if you don’t get it 5 days early. I’ve seen other people post that they got it refunded
@wade123: Errs is the error department where all unpostable returns go lol.
@WorriedTX: YES!!!! Exactly!!!! That’s why I didn’t sign up for it with my refund but I did sign my boyfriend up for it!!!
@Sam I am: gotcha.. was yours and advance or regular federal deposit?
The $25 day 5-day early think only benefits people with traditional banks. No hold banks were going to get the deposit earlier anyways smh….I wasn’t thinking. Done just GAVE TT $25 for nothing.
@Dentonj88: no apology needed! My processing date is 2/24 and as of 3/10. Got my 846 last night. But no WMR update yet
@Sheila_33: Well I don’t know what Errs is, but waiting is all I can do. I did send in form 911 to the TAS this morning too.
@Awalkee: Im just randomly checking lol. Last year it came in the evening.
I’m so happy everyone is getting updates or see some type of movement. Gives me hope 😂 still no transcript update my DoorDash income is viewable so maybe I’ll get there soon.
@Sam I am: apologies if you answered already but what’s your processing and as of dates?
@Sam I am: oh man, I hope that’s true. That’d be awesome!
@Curious: me I’m on the same boat exactly.
@Noidea: & @awalkee I also have serve card Jackson Hewitt DDD of 2/24 if my money posts I’ll let you know. Please don’t beat me the same.
This is what the Jackson Hewitt robot said:
“
Please be aware that the IRS has begun releasing Path-related Refunds, and we expect that our clients who elected to have their refunds deposited on the Amex Serve card will see them available within a few hours.”
@Justbored: i did. It was originally scheduled for Tuesday when I had a whole bunch of medical hooplah.. found out I need surgery. They bumped the hearing to Thursday morning and when I got ahold of someone at the Taxpayer Advocate Service to explain the situation, they said they can’t help till after the 20th :(
@Curious: Im not sure but I do know that there is a great chance that the next update we’ll see 846 for sure I’ve been a weekly since forever. Sending money energy to everyone who has 846 waiting for DD and those of us waiting for 846.
@ASDMamaBear yeah I have they haven’t gotten it yet
@Awalkee: wondering the same when Serve will post 😊
@Dentonj88: it is my state refund and for my federal my cycle is 0705
@Miamor capree: the 846 is the golden number as long as we have that 846 we will get our refund if the wmr never updates lol
@Awalkee: have you checked republic yet?
@RELIEF2020: New York State
@Mandie: thank you! So I guess 806 is good right? I should see a 846 soon?
@Dentonj88: ask for a continuance
Wonder when jh serve will deposit for us 2/24 ddd
@Curious: Same situation here. I am a true weekly. Been on path message since 1/24 only thing moving are the as of dates. I would not worry.
@Gorillamom4: i wish all of us 2/17ers could get an update. I have an eviction hearing tomorrow and I am stupid stressed 🥺
@Jellybean: Is this ddd for your federal refund or state if i may ask
@Curious: I’m not 100% but I think the processing date is more related to numbers #5 and #6 in your cycle code because it represents what week they were supposed to look at your return (i think….if anyone else knows for sure though, please chime in 🙏)
@Dentonj88: yes I am as of 3/3 processing date 2/17 and cycle 0505. I expected to be weekly as I am every year
@Jellybean: what were your processing and as of dates?
NYS refund approved within the last hour DDD of 2/21/2025 also a pather.
@846 for every 1: is the Processing date the date we were processed?? Sorry if this is a silly queation.
@Mom_of_3: I got those same codes back in 2021 their wanting birth certificates of your kids light bill or rent payment in your name school records prove your the one providing for them you will get a packet and send in stuff right away it’s first come first serve has to who sends in their stuff I got my refund in Late June
@Curious: I have as of 3/3 processing is 2/17 cycle ends 0505. Pather
@Dentonj88: I am
@Tk( not signed in): Do you think that would cause a problem? I wonder if we can not get our funds early if that hasn’t updated
Anyone else have As of March 3rd
And a Processing date of Feb 10th
I’m a 0405
I lost my comment after I stepped away for a bit so I apologize for the repost. Any pathers with a 2/17 processing date still waiting on updates?
@Justatiredmama: You’re daily :)
@Mom@3: ?? A little confused
@Sheila_33: thanks sheila_33. im on phone with them now and waiting to talk to someone and seeing what the hell is going on…. cant hold our return for 3 weeks and not do anything and then say they received it on feb 13th when i know for a fact they accepted on 1/31/25
@Justatiredmama: if it ends in 03 you are daily
@It’sbrinaa: I’m hoping we do!!
@Mandie: it ends in a 03
@Justatiredmama: You’d be a weekly if your cycle code ends in 05 but some 05s can be daily so check your transcripts once a day just to be sure. If your transcripts update only on Fridays, though, you are a weekly.
Got 846 lastnight for 2/24 and have chime . Think I will get a deposit today?
I don’t know how accurate this is or if it will help anyone. I just logged into my Jackson Hewitt account and was chatting with the robot to see if it could show any updates as far as when my DD would hit. This is the reply I received
“Please be aware that the IRS has begun releasing Path-related Refunds, and we expect that our clients who elected to have their refunds deposited on the Amex Serve card will see them available within a few hours.”
Please don’t beat me up if the robot lied yall.
I finally updated to code 806. That’s good right? Next step is 846 right? How do I see if I’m a daily or weekly? I forget lol
I was curious what crossover bank would tell me so I just called and picked the option for a TurboTax. Customer inquiring on deposit and it redirected me to TurboTax offices
If we received 846 2/24 Last night with a traditional bank and paid fees up front, do you guys Friday or next week on the actual date?
Hey, all. Hope everyone is doing OK. I wanted to ask, has anyone received their refund with the 570 code on their transcript? I’m just curious. Thank you! :)
Has anyone used venmo for their tax refund before and how was it?
@Jenny04: it sounds like to me she was trying to allude to the PATH and mid february. Like a convenient excuse…idk all the details though
Got 846 lastnight for 2/24 and have chime . Think I will get a deposit today ?
@Michelle P: an agent with who? So if WMR doesn’t update until the March like normal they just keep my $$. I have a DDD of the 24th. I am not trying to be argumentative ( sorry if it seems like that) I think they may not be accurate in the response they gave. That is my opinion.
I think that it releases the money to the banks maybe in batches and deposits will start trickling in.
Also Cross River needs a website if it is a CSR rep there and all these people are calling I would say the same sentence over and over again.