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.
So, transcripts are still blank. No change in WMR. BUT I looked at my transcripts from 2024 and 2023. 2024 looked fine. 2023 though- as of date 2/10/2025. The last 2 lines are 290 with cycle code 20250405 and as of date 2/10/2025 then there’s the 971 with the same as of date.
Does the irs, accept returns on weekends?
Filed 1/17 TaxAct Accepted 1/21 WMR shows deposit date of 1/29
Another thing, I changed my bank account this year. It didn’t slow down my refund date.
@Sharmaine: I filed on 01/10 Accepted 01/17. Freetax Not Path. Weekly 05. Last year I think I was recycled 2 or 3 times. My transcripts updated so slowly. Once I saw the tax year and the 000s, it was the following Friday morning I updated. This year, one day absolutely nothing on transcript, the next day, Friday, completely filled in. The IRS is so strange.
@Nikki_1220: that message I got year before last and it was just because I had to cycle through the next week so with your transcript being populated I would guess thatās it and not id verify if your transcript would not have populated it would most likely be id verify this early but itās because you need to cycle again
@Walter DOG: same here . I filed 1/8/25 .. accepted 1/15/25 .. still 1 bar processing tax topic blah blah .. transcripts updated yesterday blank as of date 2/10/25 . Hopefully next week they finish populating . Iām weekly btw
@Walter DOG: yes me and my son has the same last name Iām hoping Iāve just been resequenced and I populate with good codes Iāve always been weekly so next week Iāll check ugh need this money this year I lost everything in a traumatic situation I donāt need this right now
@Jocelynn: call the offset number
@Dentonj88: I use FREETAXUSA EVERY YEAR THEY ARE GOOD I’VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM
@Nikki_1220: I just seen where you added your son where the father been claiming him that might cause them to take closer look ,you and your son have the same last name but like I said that message at this early stage right now probably cycle through next week unless they want closer look at EITC
f@Dentonj88: yea ive used tt for many years and this year did it on freetax. its pretty easy to follow and i got it done no problems.. if i can do it so can you
@Nikki_1220: mine still received with tax topic 152 when did you get accepted most likely that message is because the system didnāt finish processing your return you get that message sometimes when you got to cycle through again you most likely update next week only other thing this early is id verify but with your 2024 transcript showing with 0 itās probably just the first thing I said
@NYkhidd: yes I added my 6 year old son his father didnāt claim this year
Just got my refund, filed on the 17th
Filed 1/13
Accepted 1/17
Weekly 05 Path
First Bar message was basic topic 151
Transcripts are full today WMR updated to path message. Looks like I am just waiting for 846 DDD
I was hoping to pick the brains of anyone that has used TT and Freetax or other no-massive-fee softwares for filing > I’m scared to veer from TT because the format helps (the weird question prompts that take you through everything step by step). I have 1 w2 job and 2 self employment jobs, so I never seem to qualify for the free TT despite having a low income…the fees suck though! Anyone have input?
> Also, I’m right there with yall w/ “no return filed” and as of date 2/10, accepted on TT on 1/17, filed 1/16
@NotHere4ALongTimeJusAGudTime: processing during early test batches is all over the place so it doesnāt mean anything is wrong.
Woke up today to my wmr saying still being processed a refund date will be provided when available. And blank transcripts. This happened to me last year and I had to id verify man why does this keep happening to me. Nothings changed me and my wife both use IP PINs when we file so why do we gotta keep id verify what’s the purpose of the IP pin. Feeling exhausted
I have a as of 2/10/2025 date on my transcript. They look different this year.
@Nikki babi: did you make any changes on your return from last yearā¦ like address .. bank account .. tax software .. dependents possibly ? A lot of people were getting flagged last year . Mainly people who changed addresses .. moved to different states or bank account info for direct deposit
@Nikki_1220: I filed on 01/22 and was accepted yesterday. My WMR says mine is being processed, with the 152 Tax Topic. Last year I had to ID Verify, and mine changed to the āstillā being processed as wellā¦.so it could be that? If so, you will get a letter in the mailā¦then it doesnāt take long at all to verify, and youāre usually placed back in the cycle by that next week.
@Nikki babi: I had that years back wasnāt nothing serious . They kept cycling me thru for like 2 weeks then it finally updated . But dealing with the IRS who knows . Long as you donāt see any bad codes show up I wouldnāt worry
@NYkhidd: it says still being processed a refund date will be available or something tax topic code gone and trans are blank and say no return filed and as of date is 2/10/25
@Walter DOG: hey question on wmr did it say still processing and a refund date will be available
@Nikki_1220: does it say still processing refund date provided when available ? I was accepted 1/15 still 1 bar being processed tax topic .. but I do have as of date 2/10/25 with blank scripts .. people who scripts filled out also have a 2/10/25 processing date I believe
Hey guys Iām back to this site happy taxmas guys I have a question I filed my taxes itās been received and today I checked and it say the dreadful wording you tax return is still being processed checked trans and it says no return filed should I be worried right now or no I know Iām not getting anything due to path but should I start to worry
NY state return still pending on turbo tax .. others reported being accepted . I think something is off with turbo tax this year ALREADY . Federal was accepted back on 1/15
Filed 01/16
Accepted 01/17
Still wanting on approval
Anyone else in the same boat? I check my transcripts daily. Still not processed. Should I be alarmed?!
@UnrulyMama: from my understanding, you would be notified in advance that your refund is to be offset. I also believe they have to file for the offset in advance and then update it to make sure the information is accurate. I could be wrong regarding this. But I also know when they offset my refund for my student loan a few years ago, I received notice and when I called the offset line it was clearly stated that my refund was being offset and the amount of up to $XX depending upon what my refund was.
Good morning everyone, I have a quick question. If you call the offset line and nothing doesnāt come up would you say youāre in the clear? I do owe student loans but signed up for a program so Iām not sure if Iām still in default.
@Morris: they will probably be blank i too filed 24th accepted 24th
@MoCarr2118: when did you file and were accepted @M
@Stephennotsignedin: one year my WMR went from being processed to STILL being processed I had to verify identity. Didnāt take long after that to get refund. Hope this helps some!
@Mike: I’m same as you this year. Fastest year ever. My DDD is also 01/29. I have WF so I should get it Monday. Last year took forever it seemed.
@Chace1: Same for me. Fastest I’ve ever moved. Last year it took so long for my transcripts to fill out. Excruciatingly slow. I felt I had all zeroes for weeks.
Woke up today and my wmr says still being processed a refund date will be provided when available.
My transcript updated Friday to being blank.
Is this a indicator something is wrong man same thing happened last year and I had to id verify. Hope it’s nothing
@shelleybeanss: I hope so. I bet you’re right. I just worry now because I’ve been audited 4 of the last 5 years. I always win, wish they’d just leave me alone haha
@Blueblood91: I had issues with mine last year. They closed the account immediately after the advance was deposited to it. They said it was because I didn’t send proof of residence after I requested that they change my address earlier that year. I did send them a copy of my driver’s license.
It took a couple of months for them to issue a refund check to me. I got my tax refund before I got my refund advance from them.