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.
Credit Karma
Filed and accepted on 01/29
No advance or 5day early-fees paid with taxes
Received code 846 on Wednesday 02/19
Cycle code ending in 605
SBTPG funded 02/19 around 7pm
Trace number appeared last night
DDD 2/24
This will be the last time I file with TT and not pay fees upfront. I’ve done this every year and have always received my DD 2days early. I’m shocked that they are holding our money. I’ve seen people who transcripts updated after me with a later DDD received their refund. Life has become increasingly difficult in every way, so to hold on to money when they’ve received their fees is disappointing to say the least. Hoping the wait is over soon for all of us.
Also note. I guess since I had no fees, IRS is sending mine on Monday, as my processing date shows 02/24 refund date shows 02/26
Checked transcripts
Code 570
Code 971
Yet it shows 3/10/2025 what does this mean?
@Morris: I’m seeing dailies with a 2/24 DDD that still haven’t received theirs either, if they had fees coming out. They were hoping they’d get it yesterday since it was technically one business day before Monday the 24th….but nothing yet. Even for dailies, it seems to be those third party banks that are holding money into the day of, or just one day before 😒
@DTM2025: thank you very much:) I did reach out to my enrolled agent that did our taxes and he pulled up our direct deposit info and said everything looked good with that. He pulled up the sbtpg and said it’s showing as pending and didn’t understand why wmr listed as it being mailed. He said that he never experienced any problems like that and that there might be an error with wmr. Or the irs put in the wrong number
FWIW-Ours also shows FUNDED but post dated 02/26!
Popup on SBTPG:
ATTENTION
If you see a Funded refund status below, scroll down to the “Amount(s) paid to you” and look for the “Date posted” to see when the IRS will pay your refund. This is the date the IRS has provided that they will pay your refund.
Woke up to;
WMR Refund Approved
Your tax refund is scheduled to be sent to your bank by Feburary 26, 2025. Does by mean possibly Monday?
HRBlock said my refund is processing.
@Jiji: wow
Just got off of the phone with turbo tax. She said, basically every one kept calling about the issue date on transcripts but their system is notified by WMR. Since they kept getting calls they are refunding the $25 and I need to wait for the IRS to actually fund my refund. Essentially if you paid fees out of the refund it was sent immediately. I advised her WMR has never updated for me, with refund in account. She hung up on me😭
@Jenn1184 CK is NHB but I do not know if they post on weekends. My deposits tend to be late afternoon / early evening (EST) – but always early (2-5 days)
@Sheila_33: No, I had business loss but, I file my business every year. The 570 is 0.00 between the 766 and 768. 768 is the last code that posted.
undoubtedly wellsfargo doesn’t deposit on Saturday,not seen any 2/26ers there yet
I filed 1/29 accepted same day my transcripts are blank. I have no notices I called a TA yesterday who could only tell me wait for a notice and call back if I don’t have it in 14 days the following message is on WMR does anyone know what it means or if I have to ID verify:Action Required
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
@Jay: Congrats! mines wellsfargo and nothing for a 2/26ddd ,hope Monday!
@Meme04: same here got trace at like 11 cst here n still no deposit my first grandson was born today a month early! So I’m trying to run around and get stuff for my daughter and him I need my money smh
Anyone with Capital One receive their refund? I usually get paid a couple of days early. My DDD is 2/25
Funded since Wednesday on SBTPG still no trace number DDD 2/25 CK TT fees through refund almost at the home stretch guys
@Jay: yes my daughter did
Do CK deposit on Saturdays?
@Chelyn: I was funded Wednesday, got my trace number last night, still no dd.
@TinaR: don’t even look at WMR, check your transcript. WMR is never accurate. Every year I file its still on first or second bar when I have already received my refund.
There are 2 days to get the “up to 5 days early” with TT; only 1 of them involves “Cross River” and NEITHER of them involve SBTPG.
1. No fee – Deposit to your CK account and pay filing fees up front.
2. $25 Fee – Deposit to any account and pay filing fees up front. Cross River is the 3rd party who acts similar to a NHB by funding your TFI (or any account!) “up to 5 days early”.
SBTPG is only for advance or paying fees from refund. They pay NHB 1 day early. Don’t get consumed with funding status/trace numbers – this is irrelevant to us end users.
Anyone with a trace number, how long did it take to get your trace number after being funded?
Checked SBTPG it says funded and it will pay me 2/25. My DDD is 2/26.
woke up to my refund being deposited overnight. a very nice surprise since i wasn’t counting on it until monday. did anyone else’s deposit that is scheduled for monday show up today? i have pnc..
Any idea if CK will deposit over the weekend? DDD 2-26, no fees, no loan but didn’t do the 5 day early thing because I didn’t even notice it as an option..
Just wondering if I can expect something before Monday morning or not
@Sheila_33: 26