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.
@OLTFREEFILER: Still processing. Accepted Monday, 1/26.
@mc5596: Me too. Nothing for my IRS transcripts (except Wage). I am weekly and last year at this time had my refund in my account on January 30th. My California state refund was received and processed on January 15th but hasn’t been issued yet. This is the longest it’s ever taken for me.
@OLTFREEFILER: VA still processing
@d0106: I think its possible the messaging on the Wmr will change and if you’re a daily, the transcript may too. This year is hard to pin down, just because of the transcript system issue having to be resolved and its effects.
any VA state processed approved yet…or all still processing??
when checking transcripts today i get a message if i accessed my pin number before january 6 it was the incorrect pin number.but if i didnt access pin number until after january 6 then i got the correct pin number .whew i didnt access it until weeks later. i guess irs made mistakes with pin numbers early
My transcript is blank but has a date of 2-16 lol what is going on?! Haha
And my CA refund status is nowhere to be found. I’m striking out with the updates this year :(
This is killing me…I can’t see my transcripts because my phone is broken and can’t get through the ID.me MFA process to log in. Oof. Return was accepted on 1-15 and no update on the WMF (like all of you.) I’m dying to know if I got an 846…
@Sheila_33: your probably right but something is messed up like I said those 2-16 deposit dates everyone got is on a Federal Holiday so those deposit dates are going to change weird this year for sure
@sdf: it is. Just the generic email message they send
@Sheila_33: do you think those of us who had 846 code with 2/16 DDD will have more info tomorrow?
@Walter DOG: No, nothing. Not even a blank one. May be some dailies tonight updating but I have a feeling since I was an 04 last year, I might become an 05 daily this year. We shall see.
@D Patiently waiting: last year I got my state on the 5th and fed on the 12th I hope you ger it
Good day has any newyork peeps been approved for there state
@Sheila_33: did your transcripts update I know your daily now
@D Patiently waiting: was this just the generic marketing email they’ve been sending out?
I just got a your money is on the way text from TT but I’m on the path!
@kitty1: yes lol. Then I immediately get this rude notice that says “2025 return not processed.” The rudest message ever!
@Sarah D: ha i know the feeling but i keep checking it anyway
Dang it. Why do I do this to myself
@BigCountry1087: I’m seeing the same weirdness. My 2024 shows 846 for 3/10. I received it 02/23. IRS never fails to operate inefficiently and strangely
I’m not sure I should even check my transcript again today, I have this gut feeling it hasn’t changed since this morning, but I have like NO self control….here I go.