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.
Good morning everyone. Stepped out to help move my granddaughter last week but I saw a few had some movement on transcripts. Congratulations to those who saw refund dates! Hoping to see some 570s and blank transcripts resolve this week to refunds. Good luck!
Hello, I just wanted to say, in case this applies to anyone, that my sister had the message saying her return was delayed beyond the normal time, this was what it said Thursday. Then Saturday WMR showed her date for the 19th. In case anyone has that message, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad. I have a question also. Does anyone know if it means anything for your WMR to change from “your return is being processed” with tax topic 152, then it changed to ” your return is”still” being processed” and the tt 152 is gone. Does that mean anything? They already got their state 2 weeks ago. Thanks.
@Madinjay: I am in the same boat for 2019. 971/570 dated 2/24. Faxed every thing in 2/24. I was told that it was processed March 11. I recvd a new letter dated March 12 for confirmation of my documents. Hope to update this week!
@Bri: I’m on a 971 2/24/2025 they are holding due to my 2019 being rejected & 2022 someone claimed my kids (fraud)! I faxed both to them to be filed 1 on 3/4 then the other 3/14 I’m praying it updates soon 🙏🏽 sending you good vibes
@JessTheCat: When did you file?
I have your tax return has been delayed. No notices nothing in the mail?
@Trent: they update based on your cycle # if your an 05 which is usually weekly you update on Friday WMR updates any changes on Saturday
When do the transcript up date?
@Ambo: same here as of changed over night to 03/31 and went from message refund has been delayed beyond time frame to refund date will be provided when available hopefully tomorrow or nexts week we will see movement hang in there everyone
@Butterfly01: no I don’t have any dependents.
filed and accepted 3\4 , Eic, no fees, transcript updated yesterday around 2 am and deposit credited around 7 pm to Walmart money card…Good luck to all those waiting, I id verify every year for past 6 years and it always seems to speed things up. as of date dd was 3\19 but reciever 3/14 @7pm
Transcripts updated with 846 DDD 3/20!
@Tyler White: we’ll see… my verification went through with the dd info so there’s no reason for them to change it.
@Ambo: This is so aggravating I verified on 3/7 transcripts still blank and saying return not processed
This is my 4th consecutive year on ID verify..
I’m losing my mind atp
What does as of 3/17 mean should I see a 846 before that date ?
I have received my 2024 refund but have not gotten my 2023 refund- “where’s my refund” still telling me processing, transcripts marks “as of march 17”
The negative amount is still the dollar amount excepting back
There are 0$ next to every other line
Can I expect my 2023 refund on march 17? I am getting no answers from TAS and I’m feeling totally scammed
I’ve been waiting on my return since January. I have 570 code followed by 971 i called and there’s no exact reason. Nobody is saying anything on why my taxes are being held. They keep transferring me to everybody and it’s getting frustrated. I’m way past my 21 days. I feel as though mine os being overlooked or something.
@derek5248: do you have any dependents on your return.. I verified on 3/7 transcripts still blank saying return not processed
@Jnjjtj050623: I would definitely be calling. Do you have access to your transcripts? What does WMR say?
@DTM2025: I hope so fingers crossed
@texasmomof3: thank you
@TinaR1987:
My son had the same situation and his method changed to it is On Thursday night and Friday morning, he had a direct deposit date on his transcripts and Saturday morning his WMR change to approved
@mickey m:
Don’t worry, my (Son) did his ID verification online and it took him approximately two weeks to update and get a direct deposit.
Don’t worry that it is not showing for the IRS rep when you call because that is not unusual.
My son Had blank transcripts for two weeks after he did his ID verification online he received a DDD.
@mickey m: you should up date in the next 1-2 cycles with me!! I will be here to see you update! Hold on! End of March smells like money ( FINALLY)
This is a crazy tax year filed 1/29 accepted the same day. Return not processing told I had the ID verify. Call Pa they said the letter was sent 2/25. Received verification letter 3/7 verified online same day said it was successful call today still not in the system that I verified I have to call to verify . And even then it can still take 9 weeks. What is the purpose of having the online option if sometimes it doesn’t register as it being done.
I filed and accepted Feb 27.. I had to ID verify in person on 3/3/25 and my status on WMR updated yesterday to we have received your return and its being processed ..( before that it said pretty much still being processed) but again that changed yesterday.. what can I expect as of now! Is there a general time frame they say 9 weeks but that’s crazy ..
Hi. My transcripts updated overnight to show a DDD of 3/19. My refund is going to a Green Dot card and they advertise getting your tax return early. My question is does anyone have any experience having their refund loaded to a Green Dot card and what is the earliest I could possibly expect to see my money? Thanks.
Verified on 3 Mar – weekly, Transcripts finally updated last night with a DD of 3/19
@Ambo: trust me it’s been a long journey..I was you until last night so keep manifesting it 🤞🏻 my WMR still on first bar though. My story — I verified identity online on 2/26..letter was dated 2/20 I claimed the EITC and CTC. Transcript showed no tax return filed this whole time until last night. Chime bank. No dd hit yet.
@Ambo: yeah my fate was pushed back to 3/31 as well 🙄
@Frost87: they switched you to a check and it will be mailed next Friday. I wouldn’t be looking for a direct deposit
my cycle code is 20250605. where’s my refund has only updated once, im getting just a little frustrated b/c i filed January 29th… someone please give me some insite into what is going on.
@Frost87: congrats! I’m still waiting :/
Hang in there to everybody still waiting. I got my 846 code on my transcripts dated for 3/21/35 refund issued! If wmr ever updates it should be Wednesday at the earliest. I don’t care if it does as long as I get my DD!
My as of date was just moved from 3/10 to 3/31 at 2am est. still have not started processing it yet though. I’m just being patient atp. It is what it is.
@Ree: no I didn’t have to ID verify. But I did have injured spouse…
@Falysha Lynn: I filed January 30
@Whenizitcominggg: yay for you! I’m hoping for the same soon. What’s your cycle?
Finally got Code 846 for 3/19..I have chime..will keep updating… Don’t give up checking.. This happened to me after updating from still being processed to “being processed” this morning
@Ree same. Had to verify did so in person 3/5
Just now.. As of date changed from 2/10 to 3/31 and wmr changed from still being processed a date will be provided blah blah blah to we have received your return and it is being processed. Fingers crossed
I filed January 21. I was accepted a day or two later and I ended up going into still processing status until I verified on March 4. Just updated last night with being processed instead of still being processed. Hopefully DDD soon
@Grateful(not Logged in): when did you file if I may
@Grateful(not Logged in): did you have to verify?
I just checked my transcripts and have a 846 3/19/2024