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.
I filed on 2/22 I received on my online account to id verify waited 2 weeks and requested a new letter which never came I drove to the IRS building as a walk-in I waited for 1 hour they take appt first was ask to show my 2024 return and two forms of id after 10 mins I successfully verified rep told me it would take 2-3 weeks before my return would update in the database but she said it has not been taking the full 3 weeks today I went from still being processed to return received and it is being processed I will probably get a check but if you are like me go to the office ID verify in person
@Butterfly01: WMR Finally updated after Almost two months… Now it’s Saying return being Processed Transcripts are still blank though.
I’m using Turbo tax and the IRS has sent my tax refund. It is scheduled for today but nothing has hit my account. How long do you think I have to wait?
lol!! I finally heard from my TA it’s been 3 week since I requested one. She said she is going to send the info to have my 2024 refund to be released by Monday! My only thing is I owe for 2019… and she was going to send a payment plan for me… but since it took so long the IRS might process and take the balance… idk. At least I heard from her today!! Fingers crossed for an update tonight/tomorrow morning.
@Shakira My transcripts are still not populated still showing O. I verified on 3/7
@Qteepie77: call 800-830-5084 or 800-829-0922 the first number is to speak to someone if you have to verify ID but bad part is if you don’t have the stupid control number they are going to tell you that cant do anything until you receive it
Did ID verify, codes 150 and 971. As of date went from March 31 to April 7. Will keep updated, this has never happened before.
@DTM2025: Grand Rising. Wishing us all positive results
Manifested code 846 with full refill funded to sbtpg for fees. Matrix manifestations, trying my best in this simulation
@pinkwhitney: GRAND RISING. Claiming THE SAME!
i can feel the money coming , hopefully I get a DDD this weekend!
@orianasenoj: you can log in and see it. Then follow the instructions
@orianasenoj: My letter never showed up online under notices. I had to wait to get it the mail
@orianasenoj: If it’s the notice is showing online you can.. you will need the control number in order to verify
Question, they are just now sending out my notice and it’s been over a month. Once they send it can I go to my irs account and see the notice?
@orianasenoj: I sure will
@Ambo: please keep me posted on your process. Paleassseee 🫶🏿
And they never sent a letter and it’s been over a month like what?! So if you have no movement it’s most likely I’d verify. Call a TA everyone
Guess what?!? ID verify lmao like what with a PIN I still have to. They said I have to wait two weeks for the letter to verify. Ughhhhhhhh
I will give everyone the info I get from the TA as soon as we’re finished. I’m over it atp
How do I talk to a human at IRS everybody because now I’m irritated my friend got hers back in a few days
@Butterfly01: my bestfriend got hers back and she filed in march
@Ambo: I’m weekly too my as of date has been saying 3/3 for the longest hopefully it will update soon…
@Ambo: On WMR it’s saying. Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions. It’s been saying that since I filled
@orianasenoj: Thus is the worse tax season ever, Everyone is complaining and having to Id verify… They need to get it together
Hi family.
Verified ID online, still had to REQUEST letter that was NEVER received in the first place. Requested letter 2 weeks ago, received it on 3/16. (Letter dated 3/13).
My best luck to speak to someone was to call between 6 – 6:30pm CST. If queue is full, try a few mins later. If wait is long, they can issue a system callback. Last night, my callback time was 7:27, but call came @ 7:15.
Agent gave typical 9-week time frame, but peeps on here seem to experience 5 – 14 day turnaround time. FINGERS & TOES CROSSED!
@Butterfly01: mine just updated to that and I filed Feb 14th. This is insane this year and I knew it would be tbh with the administration we have. Hope people are opening eyes.
@orianasenoj: Mines was on O since I filled and was accepted on Jan 24
@Butterfly01: I do. I verified on 3/7 in person also.
This past Thursday my status did change to is being processed instead of still being processed and my as of date did update to 3/31
I’m an ‘05 hopefully I update this Friday with a DDD.
Keep me posted and I’ll do the same
Seems they are working on my return there are zeros by some things note hopefully this Friday. If not by the as off date I’m finally going to call
@Amaristone12: it won’t show on ssa, but it is reported on a 1099 to the irs, you will see this under your wage transcripts when they update later in the year.
@Amaristone12: your unemployment is taxable income (but it’s not earned income) from working a job because of this reason it doesn’t count towards your social security work credits so it will not show on ssa.
Does anyone Transcripts still have O, or saying no record of return being filed after you Id verify.
@derek5248:
when did you verify.. I verified on 3/7
preperation meets opportunity
@Tyler white: thank you for that, I also checked the SS website to make sure my numbers were correct and they were. If my unemployment is considered income, wouldn’t it had been on my SS income for 2024
@Amari Stone: I know not directed at me, but yes unemployment is considered taxable income
@Lei: hey quick question I to have code 570. They said it’s on a 60 day review but all my numbers add up and I did receive unemployment last year but I chose not to have taxes taken out. Should I have put that info on my taxes as income?
Has anyone ever had code 570 and still received your refund and if so how long did it take? I’ve had it since February and I’m cycle 05
@Montana.NotSignedIn: not sure if your transcripts are blank or not, but if not and you can see code 150 the number directly under that is your control number to verify.
@Qteepie77: if you have at least some part of a transcript and it’s not all 0’s then you control number is the 14 digit number under your 150 code. You won’t have to wait on the letter
@Lei: same thing for me. 570 appeared on 2/7 and never went away. Date next to 570 was 2/24 and still hasn’t changed. As of date is 3/10 and I didn’t see anything change at all last Friday and I doubt I’ll see anything this Friday. This happened year before last to me and I didn’t see my return until first of April so I’m expecting the same this year.
@Lei: Thank you
@DariausKirk: did you get a notice? I have yet to get one yet website says I need some stupid control number I’m sick of this crap already I didn’t get mine last year and this sucks
I’m in IRS hell!!!! I verified last year only to be told to amend my return! Accepted 2/17 as of today NO notice to verify yet again, yet it states this on the website. No notices mailed or posted. Can’t get through to speak to anyone please someone help
@DoNotKnowWhatToDo: Try 866-682-7451 with ext: 569, I got an agent in about 5 minutes with that one.
I opted to use the credit karma money card, when my refund arrived to them, the account had been closed. it was received on February 26th and they stated they mailed me a check February 28th but I had to wait 7-10 business days to receive it. The problem is that time frame is up and there is no check that has come to our box. we have informed delivery. I have reached out to credit karma several times, and each time they just ask me to wait another day)any suggestions on what could be done.
I verified a couple days ago, any insight on how long until I get my refund now? I been waiting almost 2 months.
I did get a letter yesterday from IRS confirming that I had ID verified online and nothing else needed at this time.
are y’all getting these confirmation letters too?
@Nickp1: Mine took 2 weeks after I verified to be approved.
@Montana.NotSignedIn: I got my letter 10 days after they mailed it and I verified online and now I was told by the advocate that it will take up to 8 weeks. Hopefully that’s not true.
If they say most receive the return in 21 days but you wait 60 days for a verification letter then they say 9 more weeks. What the hell is that garbage.
Has anyone used the secured messaging on irs account to ask for an update on return? I’ve tried calling can’t seem to get a human. Filed/accepted 1/31 received 12c letter 2/25 requesting 1095A uploaded same day. Return still not processed do not have transcripts for 2024. WMR has this message for almost 3 weeks.
We have reviewed your return and any information we may have requested from you and are now processing your return. Any changes to the status of your refund, including any new refund date, will be reflected here when any new update is available.
Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
Tax Topic 152, Refund Information
Requested replacement id verify letter two weeks ago, still haven’t received it. Filed 2/2. Got id verify notice on account 3/11, requested replacement letter, still nothing. My mom received and successfully verified on last Tuesday (we filed and got id verify notice online same dates). My AS OF had been stuck at 2/24/25 but updated this past Friday to 3/31/25. Any ideas how I can get the letter?
filed and accepted 3-3 still no movement on 1 bar transcripts no update cycle code 05
@Nickp1: unfortunately what applied before doesn’t now due to the new administration. I pray things move soon for you.
I don’t know what is happening with my return. I filed Jan. 28th, this year due to unemployment, I qualified for EIC, I assume that got me flagged. Anyhow, there has been no update to my transcripts since the path act lifted. I still see the same 570 code, and my as of date is still March 17th. I thought with today being the 17th, I would have seen some movement or an update to the as of date, but nothing. I called and they said there is nothing they need from me. It is frustrating.
How long after you verify online does your return start to move?
@Bri: 971 they are holding did you miss a year?
@DTM2025: That’s great! For 2022 it updated to 599 return secured now I’m just waiting for 2019 to do the same! Then hopefully they will release 2024. But I’m glad they could be faxed instead of mailing! Sending you all the best keep watching those transcripts