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.
@KDinAZ**: ok TurboTax is dropping the ball or something. Bc I filed this morning too and still haven’t been accepted. Have seen others too saying the same
@Kjammer09: you can login to your irs account and check refund status that way (wmr)
Congrats to everyone who got accepted today!!!! I know more acceptances are coming
@Kjammer09: this is crazy!
@Mary: so how do I get it to them if it was already accepted?
@Ineedmy$$now: I’m still waiting but filed this morning with TT. Selected the advance. The said I’m eligible for $500. We’ll see.havent filed with TT in few years. Heard some people have issues getting the advance if they already had a credit karma money account
Hi Everyone, back again this year. I filed this morning and was accepted within two hours. I used freetaxusa. Im a pather.
Anyone still waiting to be accepted?
@Chroniclurker29: Same here .
@TK They will not process your return without the 1095-A and the information held within.
@Chronicclurker29 I’ve had that message and was accepted the 22nd. Im sure its normal. Once its accepted the system checks everything and confirms or it would’ve kicked it back. Last year i put the wrong social for one of my dependents and it automatically kicked it back. Well be good. at least we are in the test batch .
Anyone on path and not get the path message….we’re still on “it is being processed” we were accepted 21st.
Happy opening day everyone!
Still not accepted
@Monee: no I never received a refund
I submitted mine on Jan 13th and was rejected on the 17th for form 1095-A so I resubmitted for my daughter and it was accepted a few minutes later. I just received my mail today and I have a 1095-A form as well. Will this cause a red flag or do I sit back and see if I’m approved and just amend it?
Welllppppp
I’m tired of checking lol
@Amariex3: yes hi O filed on 1-20 and still nothing for me, in the past I always got accepted 1-2 days later…SMH🙂↔️
@Amariex3: I just checked WMR. Finally one bar!
Hi, I’m back!!! Happy 2025!!!
Filed 1/15 TT and still not accepted. Anyone else?
@Golly3112: that’s ok I appreciate you responding. No spouse here. I’ve never maxed out before. I haven’t seen one person say that they have been accepted today after they filed today as well. Usually right after I file I’m accepted within minutes.
@Kjammer09: My WMR says Return Received and I have the first bar. TT says pending. I didn’t apply for the advance, so I can’t help on that part, sorry! If you file jointly, you can check WMR with your spouse’s info if you max out your info.
@Confused in Ohio: I live in Ohio but have no idea
@Needmypaper: TT still shows pending on your federal? What about for your state? I’ve seen some people saying that their state is past the processing or pending State whatever the first bar is but their Federal has not updated. What about you and when did you file
OK just got the TT advance so the I r s just accepted my return filed 1/24
Any one from Ohio know when the state updates I’ve had the will update 1-2 business days message since last Wednesday
@Needmypapers: that’s awesome! Has your TurboTax updated yet to accepted? Also has anybody state tax updated on TurboTax or is it still showing pending too like federal?
Still pending lol