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.
@Montana.NotSignedIn: I’m on the phone with an agent now to see what the issue is.
@Pinky: I also filed on 2/2 through freetaxusa and have blank transcripts still. None of the 4 people that I filed for on 2/2 have seen any movement.
My as of processing date is 3/17 but i have my 846 issued for 3/5
Does anyone know what this means?
Ugh! Filed 02/02/25 thru freetaxusa, cycle code 20250705 with an as date of 03/03/2025. Codes are 150, 766, 768, & 806. Been like that since last week. Still no update to an 846 code. I’ve never had this happen. Usually I update with an 846 with the first weekly updates, which should have been last week.
Any one else have these codes and haven’t updated to an 846 code yet?
I hate to repost this but has anybody that filed with tt actually got the 5 days early?
Well looks like I’m one of those weird 05 Daily’s again. But, at least scripts just updated this morning about 8am. DDD of 03/05/25
Pather. Filed 1/25, accepted 1/27, received 12C letter and responded with documents needed 2/11, transcript showed nothing, updated to case closed 2/13, transcripts showing as of 3/3, 810 TC- dated 2/11, on 2/21, verified identity 2/21, obtained advocate 2/21, transcript updated to as of date 3/10 to 3/17 today, no other info, WMR “still processing” since 2/22. 🤷🏽♀️
For those of you that filed awhile ago and still have blank transcripts call a TA have them look into your account I spoke to one that said I was getting a letter then got assigned a TA and she mentioned there was a glitch in the system as well so I strongly suggest you call and find out if it’s one of those things or both. 1-877-777-4778
Last year was a nightmare. Got caught in that horrible review fiasco. Didn’t get my refund until August. This year, I missed a 1099INT and received the same CP05A letter as last year. As soon as I saw the review letter on transcripts, I filed an amended return. Amended returned filed 02/12, transcripts updated this morning with DDD for 03/05! If you actually find an error, file that amended return. It certainly did not take 16 weeks for me!
@IAMHeiress: 1-877-777-4778
@Tasha K: By any chance do you remember how long it took to receive the letter in the mail to id verify. I’ve been waiting about 2 weeks now. Thanks so much
Filed 01/29 transcripts still blank as of date 03/25 no letters in IRS account or received by mail. Anyone else in the same boat?
Can anyone give any info on how long it takes to get any help after obtaining a tax advocate?
Does anyone have insight?
For those waiting on a response from sending in the 1095 marketplace verification, my daughter updated about three weeks after sending in the necessary paperwork to verify. She populated with her 846 this morning. Whew, that child is always giving me stress, lol. Congratulations to all the 846’s this morning!
@SLB2025: so happy for you but that laces me even more perplexed because I was accepted 2/14. WTH is going on?
Filed 2/14, accepted 2/15. Have had notice of non-filing and “no return filed” account transcript up until this AM. This AM, it finally populated to as of date 03/05/05 and shows refund amount. Finally.