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.
Accepted 1/27
Verified requested info on LTR2C 2 Weeks ago
Update:
810 refund freeze Date 2/10
As of 3/3 to 3/10
No cycle code
What’s next, anyone?
WMR Message: Please read the following information related to your tax situation. You may need to provide additional information to receive your full refund.
We received your tax return and are reviewing it. If we need additional information, we’ll mail a notice with further instructions.
If you’ve already received a notice, please follow the instructions.
If we determine no additional information is needed, we’ll continue to process your refund.
@WASTATEGIRL24immon the west coast , pst
Waiting for Denise, Jay, Mary and 2 blessed. Congratulations everyone. Good luck to the ones still waiting.
@MrsBloveTx: time zone?
Finally!!! DDD 02/26 got my 846
Would offset codes be on updated tranny?
@Keishalove33: Got my ddd 2-26-2025 0405
Been silently following. Seen everyone starting to update so I checked my transcript and have 846 for 2/26…. My cycle is 0505. I been a weekly for years. Always see updates on Friday only so this was nothing new to me. Just impatiently waited knowing it would come!
Good Luck Everyone.
Yay I got my ddd 2/26 too!! I’m so happy I have been checking here to see if y’all’s 846 dropped too!!!!
I’m sure I’ll have it tomorrow bc I paid fees upfront and I have a no hold bank!!!
@846 for every 1: yep if u have a no hold bank… congratulations I got mines yesterday.
846…. 0505 with DDD 2/26.
Finally got my 846 cycle 0605
Congratulations to everyone with 846 code and people still waiting but it’s coming
Mines hit at 1226 am eastern time
As of date march 10 2025
Processing date February 10 2025
Cycle code 0405
846 just hit! 0506 DDD 2/26 🎂
congrats to all weeklies, who have been waiting patiently in this long path, every year 💗 now, let’s see how deposits have posted with the last approved dailes 🥰 have a good one everyone!
My cycle was 0805
846 with DD 2/26/25
When does Venmo start to load ?
Cycle code 05 got the 846 ! 2/26 DD , it’s coming y’all !
Forgot I’m a 0605
Got my 846!! Thank God!! Paid fees upfront so hopefully it hits today at some point 🙏🏽
I just updated I got my 846 for 2.28.25 I requested a check so will it be mailed the 28th on that day or will it arrive by that day
I GOT MY 846 DDD 2/26.YESSSS
0605 cycle code just updated to 846 2/26 . Happy tax season 🥳
Got my 846… DDD 2/26! 🎉
Congrats to everyone who has received their 846 and hold tight those who are waiting its still very early your batch is coming soon.
0505….. 846 baby!!!! I saw the post and logged right into that beautiful 846. Transcripts updated within the last 10 minutes.
Ong sorry yall cycle code 0405. Im so excited typed to fast my cycle code is 0405
@LWBOSS: yes 846 2/26 should be deposited tomorrow afternoon
846 baby 2/26/25 DD thank god!!!! Hope everyone gets the big 846 🎉
I am 0505, I just now checked and have a 846. Odd thing is saying 2/28?
Cycle code 0404 just updated with 846 ddd 2/26
@Horsecharlie09: check transcript 846 dropping now I have 846 for 2-26
846 for every 1 ✅
Got my 846 DDD 2/26 🫶🏾
0505 finally got my 846!!!!
9:31pm PST
Ok now is the time to check your pick 3 lottery numbers, did y’all hit??? Cycle code 0505 0405 and 0605, you should have hit by now weeklies keep up the faith. I pray all of y’all hit, and good luck.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰😆
@Hereweareagain: Wouldnt u have received it 5 days anyway since Paypal is a NHB?
I got my 846 2/26/2025 good luck for anyone
I’m a 0605 and I just updated with 2/26 DDD….. As of 3/3 and processing 2/24
0505 updated 02/26
I got my 846 cycle 0505
0605
Updated to 846
2/21
Filed 1/27
0405. Got my 846! 2/26
Got my 846
846 2/26/25 .. I’m 0505 btw it wasn’t there 5 minutes ago . It’s there now
I just updated to my 846 … yayyyyy!!! They are dropping folks keep checking !
JUST UPDATED !
0605 DD 02/26
0405 ddd 2/26 finally🙄
@Walter DOG: I didn’t do the 5 day early bc you couldn’t do the 5 day early and apply 4 the advance. You either had to choose 5 day early, or apply. I chose to apply 4 advance