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.
Are people still updating? I still have a blanket transcript
@wade123: I never had any codes at all. I didn’t have any 2024 transcripts at all either. It said they haven’t got anything from me. I just checked about 40 mins or so again just to check and bam I had a 2024 transcript with all codes on it and a 846 code with 2/26 next to it but no codes out of place or saying that I had anything done on my return. It’s weird cause a guy at irs two days ago says he saw they did something to my return last wed and it was a error but there is no error code on my transcript so idk what he was talking about… I filed on 1/31/25
Does cross river bank have a website like SBTPG? I opted in for the 5 day early with a CK card but when I log into SBTPG I see the amount I’m getting back this year but I did get a refund. Would it still go through SBTPG?
Any idea on when CK should hit? 846 updated overnight, no fees taken out.
NYS refund just hit. DDD 2/21 chime. Still waiting on federal to hit DDD 2/25
Please send donation link when chime starts chirping. That way it’s easy for me to find lol
@Sheila_33: I wonder if that’s what happened to me. Remember I was in a bad Snowmobile accident in Jan of 2024 and out of work 10 months. I do have a 1095 but it is a 1095B from Colorado Medicaid free from the State because I was not working and had no income, I do not have a 1095A and I was specifically told 1095B does not need to complete or submitted with my return. I wonder if they saw that and needed a quick peek.
@Dime: look like you have a typo
@injuredspouse: mines said fined today just waiting for chime to say $$$$$
Those chime bells need to start sounding off. 🤞
@Sally831: Heres the link for donations. Thank you for your support. :)
https://igotmyrefund.com/donate/
@Jenny04: Didn’t you have a code 570 too? Do you have any other codes after 570 before 846?
@wade123: I would be optimistic. Let’s hope next update will be the 846.
I filed my daughters taxes as I do each year and when I submitted them they were rejected because of a missing 1095. My daughter does not have marketplace. So, I submitted again and they were accepted. Then. She gets notice of a 12c coming and has yet to update on the Wmr with any information except for the 12c. She got the letter, and we faxed proof that she doesn’t have marketplace. She has literally been the errors department since the end of Jan. She is an unpostable and has no 2024 transcript whatsoever. Until, someone manually enters her information into the system, and gets her return moving again.
Well I just updated on my transcript today…. Have all my codes and DD on 2/26…. I was told had issues but I guess not. Maybe people at irs was lying but who cares… I got all my codes including 846 code dated for 2/26…
@Sheila_33: That is what happened to me. There was week separation from the code 570 I got on Feb 14 and the 971 I just got today. Maybe its wishful thinking and I get what I deserve for wishing with the IRS but until I see a letter, or another update wishing is all I have. lol
This morning, I am happy to say I am an O5er and got a refund date of 2/26/2025. I am praying that it comes early. That is the exact date my state is supposed to be deposited. This is the first year I have used Turbo tax and deposited it on my Credit Karma card, so I wish you luck.
@TooTiredofWaiting: no liberty tax with deep blue card