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.
@wjc1989: from what I heard today at least 4-6 weeks….
Any advice would be greatly appreciated:
I received the LTR 12C asking for my 1099-NEC. I sent the documents in on Monday, March 31, 2025. My transcripts updated to 04-14-2025, and this morning it updated to 04-07-2025, and then an hour later to 04-21-2025.
Does anyone have any idea when I can expect my refund? My Return Transcript still has the 2024 Verification of Non-Filing Letter [PDF], as though it has not processed. I want my money.
@Madinjay: I’d it ends up being for a review you can’t get a tax advocate until June. They are really pissing people off this year
Do transcripts update on the weekend? Guess I will be on with the tax advocate line tomorrow! She said give it to 4/7 lord this has to be the worse tax season ever
If the state already took my overpayment from unemployment from my state then the Feds took it for the days debt. Do I get that back and how ?
@mickey m: yes it really is and couldn’t be at a worse time for me during mourning makes it even worse
So I finally was able to speak to someone about my taxes today. I filed on 2/3/25 and had only received my state taxes only so I was trying to figure out what was going on with the federal.. they told me that my taxes were under review and to not expect them until August.. now keep in mind I do not have ANY codes or ID verify or anything just the standard run of the mill Tax Topic 152….. that agent I spoke to was real ignorant so I am not sure if he even knew what he was talking about I am going to call again Monday
I’m beyond frustrated still no update or movement on my taxes! I’m just not gonna check for a few weeks at this point I’m over it
@Lei: negative friend. My as of moved to 4/21 last week but did you see my long post about some fraudulent w2s submitted under my name and ssn? So now I have a case open with SSA to adjust my wages and have an appointment with local irs office 5/1 to see if I can do anything to help speed it along. I’m not expecting anything until maybe 3 months from now.
@orianasenoj: I will keep my fingers crossed .This has been one of the worst tax seasons I’ve seen on this sight almost everyone has had to ID verify and do it more than once and are still waiting.
I received the LTR 12C asking for my 1099-NEC. I sent the documents in on Monday, March 31, 2025. My transcripts updated to 04-14-2025, and this morning it updated to 04-07-2025, and then an hour later to 04-21-2025.
Does anyone have any idea when I can expect my refund? My Return Transcript still has the 2024 Verification of Non-Filing Letter [PDF], as though it has not processed. I want my money.
So my transcripts got their 846 last friday for 4-4. the wmr hasn’t updated, and still no deposit, and I have Chime. What gives?
Can someone provide me some insight? I received the LTR 12C asking for my 1099-NEC. I sent the documents in on Monday, March 31, 2025. My transcripts updated to 04-14-2025, and this morning it updated to 04-07-2025, and then an hour later to 04-21-2025.
Does anyone have any idea when I can expect my refund? My Return Transcript still has the 2024 Verification of Non-Filing Letter [PDF], as though it has not processed. I want my money.
@mickey m: no but my as of date is the 14th so it will update next Friday
Another Friday where my account is still frozen on a 570 code. Nat, I hope you had better luck today!
Congrats to everyone who finally got movement.
@orianasenoj any update on your return this week?
So my transcripts updated this morning. Everything is blank. But I do have an as of date for 4-21-25. Can someone tell me what that means? I filed March 28th and accepted the same day
@Butterfly01: yes today it hit
@Madinjay: you’re very welcome. Hopefully we all update in the morning fingers crossed 🤞🏿
@orianasenoj: thank you so much
Chime hit about 15 minutes ago. Waiting on Wells Fargo. DDD on transcript is 4/8
By the way, I never had any updates to my transcripts until it fully updated and released today. My cycle code ended up being 20251404 so I didn’t even start processing until after ID verify. Verified online. Also split refund into two accounts so if you did that and need to verify, you will need to use the first account listed for verification.
Filed 2/2. ID verified on 3/24. Transcripts updated today with 846. It’s coming, it may just take time.
@Madinjay: that could be weekly or daily but I’d say weekly check Friday mornings around 2am then again 2pm
@IAMHeiress: Did you get a CP5071? Is that ID verify?
@orianasenoj: thank you it says 20250605. Does that help me determine what I am? There’s been no movement at all they said I should update 4/7
@Madinjay: I wish I could give a definite answer it depends if you’re weekly or daily. Sometimes it’s done overnight until 2am sometimes until 2pm
@Nat Bat: yes I did for 2023 and I had to call irs let them know that it was not me. They verified everything with me including my identity and they started to process my 2024 return but I went into the irs building to do everything. They will give you a PIN moving forward but nothing much else was needed. It was simple
@orianasenoj: really? You had fraudulent w2s under your ssn? What did you do? Obviously irs caught it back in February I’ve had a 570 hold since 2/6. But it’s April now and I have no movement. Did you contact ssa as well?
@Stillwaitingsincejan: I have no idea at this point. Even if I submit an amended return, I’m really just resubmitting my whole tax return again aren’t I? Cause everything was correct expect those two fraudulent w2s. And amended returns take up to 16 weeks don’t they? I don’t even know what to do at this point. I’m just waiting to see if SSA can do something cause IRS is basically telling me to give them the 120 timeframe