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.
@Janise: are you sure that’s the code? 501AL
@Butterfly01: no I’m still completely blank
I have an amended return that has an 846 for 03/21/2025 transcripts updated from 3/31/25 to 04/07/25. haven’t received DD… whats up?
@Florida girl: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc201
Code 201 do that mean I get nothing back
I’ve been a whole part of this review and verify nonsense and got my 846 dated 3/21/25! I’m guessing I will be mailed a check this point as I don’t have my dd alrdy. My as of date updated from the 31st to April 7th.
@Lil T: Hey quick update….. my DDD was for 03/26 I was mailed a paper check and I will receive it today faster than last year
Status changed form “being processed “ to still being g processed and lost the tax topic. What does it usually mean? Thank you
@IAMHeiress: smh… I have an advocate just waiting for him to call me back on Monday hoping we all get out money soon
@DTM2025: from your mouth to gods ears!! I check everyday what time do the updates hit is my question?
@Butterfly01: They can, the problem is they had to replace my advocate because she resigned and now a supervisor has to push for Expedited refund release. Other than that, was told it would be atleast another 2 cycles.
@IAMHeiress: I thought the TA could expedite return, They told me when I called back if its a large return with EIC they review it to make sure its not Fraud… my cousin has three codes on his after he Id verify… codes 810, 570, 971
On a transcript of the code is 501AL what does that mean?
@Butterfly01: No. From what I’m seeing an audit would have been accompanied by other codes that indicate an issue and a letter sent.
@IAMHeiress: I’m so confused and aggravated this is ridiculous… That’s what mine is saying code.570 additional account action pending and a date beside it. Does this mean being audited
@Butterfly01: Right, I had to do the same, both Identity and income, both were completed 2/27 and they are both closed, transcripts just populated with all good info and codes, except the 570, obtained an advocate 2/21, who made sure it was verified, but today’s update has that 570(Additional account action pending), with no other codes. Agent said it’s just a processing hold to verify everything is good, which makes no sense, due them verifying for over 50 days now!
My message changed from we received your to it is still being processed. What does that usually mean?
@IAMHeiress: My transcripts finally populated today with 570 code. I called the IRS I had to verify my identity. I verified on 3/7. she said it came out of Review on 3/13… I just have to wait until it finishes processing.
Anyone have any experience with all good codes, except a 570 code? Called IRS and was told the return was under review before refund release, but there’s a 180 day processing wait. They said everything is showing complete except this additional review that’s still open. Anyone know about this process and how long it takes to process through?
@Butterfly01: hopefully that will work it’s self out in a day or 2 is there a date next it when they are supposed to revisit the return by?
@sgorghum29: As long as you’ve been in the system, it frustrating I know, but there’s a positive since it’s still pushing out.
@Ambo: It’s been bad this year as far as processing time. Fingers crossed you see it by next Friday.
My as of date is April 7 and changed from the refund provided when available to it is processing yesterday. Could I be on this week’s dd or do y’all think it’ll be next week
Completely fed up this tax season. Filed/accepted 1/31. Received 12c letter 2/25. Uploaded 1095A as requested 2/25. NO transcripts for 2024. WMR updated to we received your return and documentation requested and are processing 3/11. Still not transcripts for 2024. Today WMR updated to “still processing return”. Checked NO transcripts.
ID letter came and Verified 3/7.
Finally updated to on trans this morning to 846 with a DD of 3/26 . Turbo tax 5 day just hit at 8:40am cali time.
@Nat Bat: I didn’t either nothing no mail no notices just transcript blank called irs no info called TA line and they said ID verify but they stated they never sent a letter
@Ambo: Does your transcripts have any codes on them?
@mickey m: I filed on Jan 24th got accepted on Jan 25th WMR finally updated on 3/20 I verified on 3/7My transcripts were blank until this morning they Populated with a code 570
@orianasenoj: but I called twice nobody has told me I need to verify. I have no notices in my account, nothing in the mail. No letters, nothing. Just a 570 on my transcript since 2/7.
@Nat Bat: you probably have if verify
@Lei: I was going to look into that too but I see some people on here waiting 3 weeks to even hear back from a TA. You and I are in the same boat. I guess we’ll just be out here floating around until someone decides to look at our return. I know nobody has looked at mine because my as of has been 3/10 for about 3-4 weeks now. The only light I see is that on the years this has happened to me I have gotten my return in April, right before tax day so I’m hoping the worst is I have 3 more weeks left.
@Nat Bat: I looked into the tax advocate thing, but they want you to mail in a form, and then wait for an appointment. So that would take weeks anyway. Not even my as of date has changed, still March 17th. Which tells me my account is not even being viewed by a person or the system.
Another Friday with no update, still stuck on code 570 with no notices. :(
Tried calling IRS again. Got the same spill I did last time — your return is being selected for “review.” Allow 120 days from the date of the hold. Please review your tax return and if anything is wrong, submit an amended return. Is there any way to get someone to push it through? These reps can’t do anything but read off a script.
@mickey m: congrats!!
@Madinjay: lol! I was looking for your update! Well we shall see! No pressure. I’m sure there will be interest on the payments.
No updates for me today either :( My transcripts have been stuck on 570 for weeks. As of is still 3/10, which has been like this for a month. Congrats to everyone that got 846 today.
GOOD MORNING! I have a 846 code with a date of 03/26/2025 will I be sent this before or on . This was an amended return I submitted on 02/20/2025 through TT
I chose DD . Now will the early 5 day apply to this ? I had already received my first refund with early pay . When I noticed my mistake I amended, so the rest of the amount I am due. Also , what are the chances they sent a paper check ? I do see my 1040x and then below after that form is my DD info.
@Ambo: same stuck on 981 and 599
@DTM2025: stull stuck on 971 I was hoping it would update! But I faxed my returns so it may take time. Turbo tax informed me they will be deducting fees from my checking account guess they are tired of waiting too lol
@Ambo:
When I checked yesterday and saw my transcripts, the as of date was April 7.
I wasn’t able to see them yesterday
@mickey m: happy for you!! I’m still stuck on 971 for this year even though I provided the previous years taxes. Says taxes secured 599. I’m praying my transcripts update overnight
My timeline hope this is useful to someone filed 01/29 accepted a same day. WMR went to more info needed around 02/14. Was told I needed to ID verify letter was mailed out supposedly 02/25. IRS online account stated to verify 03/04 still had not gotten letter . Letter arrived 03/07 verified same day. Called TA 03/14 couldn’t see where I verified was told to call . Called same day was told I was put back into processing 03/13 . Today transcripts updated with 846 DDD 03/25. WMR will update tomorrow.
@Sheila_33: so the my status changing from still being processed to being processed last week I was sure this week I’d have a DDD.
I’m so frustrated I need it so much.