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 āqueueā 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.
Thatās 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 donāt have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your moneyās 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.
Does anyone know why they would change you from direct deposit to check being mailed and has anyone actually gotten their check yet if so how long did it take from mail date
Filed 02/24.Check wmr went from bring processed with tax topic 152 now showing being still processed no tax topic and blank transcript only as of 03-17
Good morning! Just checked nj refund website, and for the first time that I can remember, I went from processing to checking for accuracy. Is this a good or bad thing?? Normally I go straight from processing to approved. Last year I received my refund on 3/6
I needed to send in 8962 and 1095 i didn’t know I had marketplace place insurance someone signed me up without my knowledge. Anyway Fax in papers 2/17 how long does it take to process? Called was told 60 days by one rep and 6 to 8 by another. One says she didn’t see any documentation either uploaded. Any ideas on what to do?
@Tryingtopaymybills: Iāve seen where most ppl update that following week after verifying! Hope that happens to you!!
570/971 dated 2/24
Letter still not in mail views letter on IRS account. Holding my refund due to 2019 taxes not processed.
Spoke with TAS intake on 2/26 they told me they will have the TA call me within 2 weeks!!! (CRAZY) Iāve used them in the past and it was a lot quicker. Of course this was pre covidā¦.
I faxed 2019 amended return on 2/26
Been on path on WMR until this morning!!
āWe have received your tax return and it is being processed.ā
@Relle92: the day next to my 971 is the day the letter became avalible on my IRS account so check you IRS account then. Mine was 2-24.. I have still yet been able to get the letter in the mail. But I did obtain it on line.
@Relle92: same
Filed 1/27/25
Accepted 1/27/25
Called ID letter was sent out on 2/11/25; first time having to do this
ID verified 2/21/25
Still blank transcripts nothing was told up to 9 weeks
@Relle92: Iām in the same exact situation.
Been on path message until today , finally updated on WMR to We have received your tax return and it is being processed, issue is on my transcript I had a 570 code dated 2-24-25 and a 971 code dated 3-3-25 . Thereās no notice or letter on my irs account for me to verify need help please will this issue just fix itself or what ???
@SLB2025: I’m in the exact same boat you were and this gives me a little hope that they might go ahead and process mine as well.
@mickey m: yep still right there with you.
The third will be my 21 days.
@sheila_33 thank you, Iāll follow up next week hopefully something changed. Luckily not relying on it this year. I did notice my whereās my refund updated from tax topic 152 to āwe received your return and it is being processedā. My as of date though did not change this past Friday like itās done every other week, I have also not received any letter in the mail. All of itās weird. Thanks for the help.
@mickey m: yes I am this is aggravating. I been waiting on my letter for about two weeks as well.
I have a question do anyone know if all my transcripts ending in 05 does that make me a daily or a weekly
Hi what day do 05 updates
Also processing date is 3/3 as of date is now 3/17 it keeps getting pushed out
Got 570 dated 3/3 on 2/14 received 4464c letter same day got 971 dated 3/10 on 2/21 and didnāt update today. Do anyone know when I shud be looking for an update? I desperately need this money this year.
@Nat Bat: Call as soon as they open Monday that way it’s not as busy. Good luck!
@IAMHeiress: If he could get the amended pushed thru quick, it may be the way to go. Sometimes an amended restarts the process and can take a bit but an advocate could help speed it along.
@Sheila_33: thank you for the info. I guess I will give it until next week to see if I update. I tried calling but they are closed at 7 so I will have to wait until Monday if I want to speak with someone.
@CrazedinGA: Wait until I get my money? LOLOLOL…. I need to know. All the advice I can get. I’m scared to amend that little thing.
@Sheila_33 Spoke with an agent that stated that the 12C letter case was closed, I’ve successfully verified identity since 2/27 in system, although it was done on 2/21, transcripts only show as of which extended from 3/10 to 3/17, which was the only update today and 810 TC. Agent claims that I’m under an additional review, but I have a tax advocate now, so hopefully this will help. He also stated that I could amend the return for a quicker result, but something tells me that might make it worse. Have you ever ran into anything like this before?
@EricaRivera: I would absolutely wait until the return you submitted is done processing and then and only then, submit an amended return. š„°
@Sheila_33: Ook. Yea, that’s what I was thinking. It’s only a $50.00 difference in income so a lot of people are saying not to, it’s not much. I’ll wait it out until I can’t anymore. LOL. Thank you! :)
@EricaRivera: If it was me, I would wait and see if you just process thru.
@Nat Bat: You could possibly call and see if they could give you any idea why it’s being held and if there’s anything you can submit. Let us know if you find out anything. If not, the next option could be an advocate.
https://igotmyrefund.com/talk-to-human-at-irs/
Hey, all. So I have a question: Should I amend my return because I missed a W2 of only $19.00 and LOL… I put the wrong EIN for another W2. Some people are saying not to and some say yes. I am so confused. What do I do or should I do? So annoying…. It’s so tiny, they would owe me money.
@Sheila_33: is there anything I can do to speed it along or is it just waiting at this point. I donāt know why but every other year when Iām a weekly I have gotten my 846 late. Like April late. 2022 and 2020 I didnāt get my refund til mid April
@Nat Bat: With the as of date changing to 3/10, it’s possible they may be working on it, and you could see some changes next week. If not, and that date sticks, you may be waiting for someone manually to get it moving again.
Please someone shed some light.
20250505 this year (I flip flop between daily and weekly every year)
Filed 1/17
Accepted 1/21
Transcripts popped up 570 since 2/7 and has not moved. The date for the 570 was 2/24 but I did not update today. As of date changed to 3/10 last week. No 971, no notices in my account. Iāve been stuck with this 570 for 4 weeks
@Beenpatientallmylifetillnow: Congratulations! :)