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.
@Shellysgirl1968: day of or before. Is what’s the trend..
Good afternoon everyone I have finally finished id verify my question is how long should it be now until I see a refund
@Andrea not logged in: On my transcripts I got my 570 on Feb 15. Got my 971 on Feb 21. But I still have no notice. And no notice is available online and yes, I do have and have always had seen notices online checked in my IRS online account. But I did call TAS and was told it is a CP05 which I believe is a 60-day notice and no action needed at this time.
DDD is 03/05. Fees from refund.
When should I see Santa Barbara funded?
@Dee: If you look it up online your told almost unanimously that if your tax return is being processed, you’ll likely receive your Refund anytime, while the still-being-processed message suggests that the Refund is delayed for one reason or the other. However, if you ask 100 people on this site you will get 99 different answers. The 1 answer that seems to most accurate is whether it says is or still being, it makes no difference. some are delayed on both responses some are not. So, it is still the million-dollar question. My WMR says is being processed but I also just got a CP05 60-day review, the theory of google is wrong for me. So it really is a guessing game and that’s the way IRS wants it.
Anyone get their refund yet that says by 3/10
@Relle 92: What does your WMR say? Do you have any codes on your transcripts?
Yes it is quiet guess that means us who have not seen any movement still have not seen any movement yet. Just waiting atp
Hello, first time mail filling and I was wondering does it take the 6 weeks they say?
@Dollbaby127: Press Option #1
Press Option #2
Ignore whatever they say and then press 000000
Listen to automated message and just ignore whatever they say
Stay on phone and you will be put through to someone
How to talk to a live rep for IRS. I know the # 18008291040. But what # to select. It use to be 1 2,1,3,4
@Relle92: I hope it doesn’t. I just got my 60 review as well. I claim the same credits and dependents every year, same job industry wtf!
My WMR says your refund is being processed what does this mean does anyone know?
@Relle 92: some cases it might it really just depends if they can correct everything on their own or if they need additional information from you so if you believe you found an accurate return, leave it that way if you believe there could be something that needs to be amended, I will try to amend it right away. Or contact the tax advocate services if you have a hardship
GM! It’s quite quiet in here! Happy Monday. The next update should be Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and Thursday night into Friday morning.
Finally can see my informed delivery with the letter the IRS sent me on 2/24. Luckily, I have IRS account so I already know what the letter is and I have already completed the next steps.
Just hang on guys we getting somewhere
Just got a 60 day review notice , does it really take that long ?
@Annaka: same anyone know the next update ?
@Butterfly01: i verified online. I would request a new one. They never sent my first one out.
Just got a 60 day review notice , does it really take that long ?
@Big ben:
So I had the 570 and 971 and my transcripts didn’t update this past Friday, just logged into irs and my notice was loaded, says they are holding my refund while they review it and to wait 60 days…. Ugh
@Allieecatt: did you verify on the phone or online ? I’m still waiting fir my letter
Hey my name Thadduess see I refund taxes last 3 years
@Diana: thank you so much
@Big ben: to your addr
Hey everyone had a question as everyone knows I’m receiving my refund by check despite me wanting and saying I want dd. Well it got mailed on the 28 my question is will it go to my address or will it go to sbtpg address? I was supposed to have the fees taken from refund. Any help would be appreciated
Hello, can someone please tell me when WMR will next update with DDD for dailies?
Filed 1/29
Accepted 1/31
My one bar with regular tax code 152 changed to we have received your refund and are reviewing it error message on the 3rd. My as of date Was the 24th On my transcripts which are blank And now it has been pushed back to March 17th. I’ve got no notice or any other documentation from The IRS.
I FINALLY got my gosh darn ID letter today! Btw, i requested it last Saturday cause I never received it the first time. I had called in yesterday to see if I could convince them to ID verify without the letter — they said they never sent the first letter. Imagine I would just be waiting around for weeks?! How long did yall wait to update/approve after verifying??
@Monee: I pray you update soon 🙏 I’ve been trying to keep up with you I hope you have a great weekend and I’m sending you positive vibes your way.
@wade123: Honestly, I think it’s a positive. :)
@Monee: At least you know the issue now and worked on resolving it. Hopefully, you’ll see something before 3 weeks since the amended w2 is showing.
@Kay: Not really. I’ve seen both update to a refund date.
@Sheila_33: Hey Sheila is it a difference between still processing and the it is being processed message mines switched to still being processing with the amount
@Sheila_33: hey Sheila is it a different between the verbiage between still processing and processing message because my 152 tax code went away and now says still processing with amount
@EagerlywaitingNC: 1-800-304-3107
@HeyyKayy: where is the offset line
Update: still have the 810 code. Long story short, I entered the TOTAL taxes paid in the federal taxes witheld box. The Irs agent kept talking about witholding and I ended up reaching out to my payroll processor. They showed me how to view the w2 so I sent in a corrected W2 and amended my tax return. The amended w2 is already showing, but who knows how long this will take. My amended return isn’t showing yet but the site said it takes 3 weeks. I can’t be mad though. All I can do is pray it moves fast.
Filed and accepted 2/11 (although when I spoke to someone at IRS they said it was accepted 2/13) no activity whatsoever, no path message and I have all the credits, nothing ever changed except it showing my refund was accepted and being processed with topic 152. Woke up today to it being approved and will be received by DD 3/10/25 and I do have some of it being taken for an offset and the offset line says payment is on 3/5/25. I assume I’ll see it in my Wells Fargo acct between the 5th and the 10th.