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.
@2blessed: What’s up my homie you been accepted yet just hoping you got it straightened out
@Brenda87: typo sorry
@Vee2021: you got accepted on the 25th we are still on the 22
At this point it feels hopeless. Still no acceptance. I hate the government.
Hi everyone, I filed and just got accepted fees paid with refund. Hope everyone has. A speedy deposit this year!
@@starchild111: Lol same here! Let’s keep each other posted. Something has to change soon🤞🏽🙏🏾
@jbb417: could be anytime. It seems the test batch this year is smaller than previous. But since the official date is 1/27 it may not be until then honestly
@Dentonj88: it can change .. some people who were weekly one year became daily last year . Some situations can cause you to be in the “weekly” pool for awhile .. like an audit .. review .. suspected fraud etc . It’s a different situation for everyone . Unfortunately I been weekly last 5 years but always got my deposit when the 1st path deposits were released
@NYkhidd: is weekly v daily something that changes year to year though or stays the same?
Some simple returns without PATH credits updated for direct deposit this coming Monday 1/27/25 .. CTC is not held by path only earned income credit and ACTC
@2blessed: nope still waiting for accepted email or a bar or something lol
E filed thru turbotax on 1/17 its now 1/22 how long will it be until they accept my return, its normally within 24 hrs for me
@Dentonj88: I’m weekly .. I was accepted back on 1/15/25 .. I don’t expect a transcript to start populating until this Friday 1/24/25
@shelleybeanss: I have NY state Medicaid . Never filed it on my tax return in the last 5 years . Might be different for each state I’m assuming
@Starchild1111: Have you been accepted yet? Or have you had any updates? Just curious
@Amuz1234: Hard to say then. Usually codes can give us a clue. It’s possible since that date is in the past, whatever was causing it has been resolved.
@2blessed: Test batches will be going on all week so it’s possible you could still see acceptance.
Hi everyone at work figured I would check in. My state(RI) just got accepted about an hour ago. I am thinking since I am daily I will potentially see a transcript update this week maybe tomorrow.
@littles16: I’m not sure where you’re at but I’m in Florida. I had this issue last year. I was told Medicaid is part of marketplace. Don’t know if that’s the case everywhere
the IRS rejected my federal return, it shows i had marketplace insurance for 1 month, however i was hospitalized and applied and was approved for Medicaid i do have proof but wanted to see if anyone been thru this? i resubmitted after typing in a note stating i had proof of the medical assistance for the whole year and it was accepted.
For folks w transcripts already, how long after acceptance before you saw populated transcripts come up?
Does anyone know if we are past the test batch date? For acceptance that is.
Hey everyone. My return just got accepted today. Last year my return was held up for a review, no letter or real explanation. They finally released it in June. Ngl I’m kind of nervous now. Has anyone else had a similar experience?