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.
@Samiam: I’m thinking maybe all day and then maybe transcript updates around midnight. Just a guess.
Hello all tax comrades,
Glad to see so many getting updates, hopefully soon you will see the eagles from uncle sammy and you can go have some chicken65 with your anda curry for dinner tonight.
Now is especially the time to be careful and check for updates in private. I checked at my work desk and it was like an active volcano, got all over the place. It was fun but I would not recommend for the co-workers.
Good luck to all. Your update will come soon! And you might too so caution is advised.
@Sheila_33: is that all day or just at night?
I wouldn’t worry about WMR I’m stuck on path but got my code 846 last night around 11p
@Justagirl: I checked based on your advice, and I have a deposit pending. Thank you for the heads up. :) It’s set to clear 2/24.
@Justagirl: my WMR hasn’t even updated. I just checked. That thing is so far behind it seems. I was shocked that it wasn’t at least a day early. But nope. First thing today in my DDD…it finally showed up.
Pather weekly, filed and accepted 1/27 with taxact Did not pay upfront. WMR updated early this morning with DDD 2/24
@JPinTX: yes check the bank site who’s processing your return see if it’s funded. It did that to me but my check was already pending.
Fille and accepted 1/31
Tt paid fees up front
Cycle 20250705
Ddd 2/25/25
Chime
This year was a strange one ive been weekly updating Fridays but this year for some reason i updated last night with 846! last week I had to wait til Friday for transcripts to update so Idk good luck now just waiting for monies to drop in chime
I’m at a loss. I filed before my ex wife, by a day, and filed them both myself.
She got her refund this morning. I still don’t even have an 846 yet with processing on 2-24. What is going on?
I just checked WMR this morning and it updated for me overnight with a DD of 2/24. I’m a pather and filed 1-31. I did not do the five days early for $25 through TT.
Praying that I update tomorrow. 🙏🏻 Good luck to everyone who’s still waiting to process.
@Hope: Thank you for that bc mine has been funded and I’m like at what point are you going to send it. I have always used my Chime card for my federal refund and always gotten it earlier than said. Idk when my DDD is bc it still says PATH msg for me and I checked this am on WMR and it said I exceeded the amount which is NOT the case haven’t checked WMR since yesterday afternoon.
@DAL: 😊
Just checked WMR and it’s saying exceeded daily limit. Anyone else ever have this issue? I haven’t checked it in 2 days.
@Sheila_33: I’m praying for movement for us both and everyone else
TurboTax gave me an estimated refund date of 2/17 but it hadn’t been approved yet on WMR.
It updated this morning, Thursday, 2/20, approving my refund and giving me a deposit date of 2/24.
I paid with a credit card and did not want it five days early, so we’ll see how it goes.
05s are not just weekly, they can also be daily!
https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
For anyone who had fees taken out from SBTPG even if you’re on Chime or a NHB like myself … Dont plan on it coming early like years previous. My DDD was today 2/20 and it came in on Chime at 5am today. It had been funded since FRIDAY…trace # didn’t appear until right when it posted. Just a heads up.
I have a DDD of 2/24. PAID THE 5 DAY SOONER WITH TT. I HAVE NETSPEND. IT STILL SHOWS I ELECTED TO RECEIVE IT 5 DAYS EARLY BUT HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING. WMR UPDATED TO APPROVED THIS MORNING. WHAT IS GOING ON?
Weeky and daily processing today! Let’s goooo weeklies!
I did not update today. However, when I checked the SSA website, my 2024 earnings were updated there. Usually when this happens my tranny’s update. I am clueless this year.
@Jay Jay not logged in: I think a lot of weeklies were updated early. How are you weekly last week when transcripts were updated now all of a sudden when 846 come out you are daily.
@Mom@3: same I have seen anyone get it. My feeling it’s sitting in cross river back collecting interest…I have Chime and they don’t have it and Santa Barbara bank doesn’t. I tried reading all the fine print on my TT paperwork they sent but it’s not making sense
@Jay Jay not logged in: you will see updated transcripts on friday
@singlemomto4: probably by the time you are reading my message.
Was on tt checked order transaction says 168.00 fees for processing is paid but i check 25.00 for 5 days early says not paid so the bank took their fees i should get money soon? still no 846
@Jay Jay not logged in: yes. Weeklies will update tonight
@Jaina: mine did not
@Jay Jay not logged in: We should but the IRS is strange this season. Hope to see them rolling in around 9:30 pm tonight.
@CJ1980: if you updated to 846 then you’re not a weekly. Your daily. Remember some 05s can be either weekly or daily. And congrats 👏 🎉
Hi everyone, just wanted to update bc I know there’s many ppl waiting on their transcripts to update. I filed 2/2 this year, 0705 cycle code and I just checked this morning and my transcripts update to 846 for 2/25. Good luck everyone!! 💜
Good morning all. Do you think there’s a chance weeklies will update tonight? My significant other was daily. She updated to 846 Tuesday and had her money by Wednesday evening. I’m hoping for the same. I think she got it that fast cause she paid the$25 for five days earlier than what her DD was.
@Denise N: me too as well. I don’t see any 0605 updating.
@Zeethegeek979: U not alone. I see some just filed last week already got 846
@Justgivememymoneyyy: They told me the same yesterday. Looks like people with a 2/24 DD who tried to do the 5 day, and TT couldn’t “expedite” are delayed, or most are anyway. I have seen lots of others already get their deposits. I have Credit Karma which is all under the same company as TT and have not gotten a deposit. Credit Karma said ask TT and TT said to ask Credit Karma they should have already had it. No one could tell me where it was. I said well it’s not just floating in space, and the TT site says my fees are paid. It’s frustrating.
Anyone still have the path message!? Over it!
I have a 570 and a 971 code on transcript I filled my taxes January 2nd the 570 code has a different date that the 971 code , both with zero as the amount . What does this mean I have been getting different answers please someone help me
Also WMR still has path message
I was approved for ddd for 2/24 . I am a daily now for so long I was a weekly…I also opted for 5 days early through TT…I do not know where my money is being held hostage.
I got an 846 yesterday,
this morning WMR has moved to 2 bars,
and I have a pending deposit showing in my bank.
Just for reference