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.
If you paid out of refund it disqualifies you from getting the up to 5 days early. TT uses third party bank who does not release early. Learned my lesson last year. So that’s why they refunded the $25. You most likely won’t see refund til day before or day of when IRS say it will be sent.
@Tabby_Tebo: same here
@MamaCS: I have the same question…
@StarlightWarden: Exactly the same situation here. Wonder what happens now?
@StarlightWarden: same… mine also changed to pending
@Tabby_Tebo: I also had this happen to me. I filed on the 18th and was supposed to receive my funds today on 1/29 according to IRS page. TT showed I was supposed to receive it today as well but now just says pending. I also was supposed to get the five days early refund but they cancelled it.
I used TT and paid fees out of my refund as well as opting in for the 5 day early deposit. Just noticed a message from TT stating they could not expedite my refund so I was not charged the $25. I filed on 1/15, was excepted 1/17 and have a ddd of today (1/29)
@Don25: Well dang you skipped all the tax season headache huh? Great news for you, at least your one and done. YAY!
@John-Jaw: I have that too, unsure what it means exactly but I am thinking maybe the return hasn’t hit the database yet? I am not sure though because I was accepted so who knows but they better come on and stop throwing bs in the game this early lol
Wmr is down right now hopefully they’re doing some updates! It’s 10pm here in Iowa
Happy tax season everyone!! I didn’t make the test batch this year because I just received my W-2 and filed. It was accepted in less than 5 minutes…Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for all of us..
@Sheila_33: is this new naming in transcripts?
Verification of Non-Filing Letter
@Elove: If it doesn’t come 5 days earlier, they refund the 25 dollars.
@Tawana.L: So basically we got scammed out of $25. lol
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-jan-27-start-to-2025-tax-filing-season-agency-continues-historic-improvements-to-expand-enhance-tools-and-filing-options-to-help-taxpayers
For most Taxpayers, IRS won’t start accepting returns this season until January 27th.
If you haven’t received confirmation your return has been accepted / rejected by January 29th, contact your software provider or tax professional
When does PATH peoples transcripts update?
This what I found out about the 5 days early from “TURBO TAX”–1 If you choose to pay your tax preparation fee with TurboTax using your federal tax refund or if you choose to take the Refund Advance loan, you will not be eligible to receive your refund up to 5 days early. 5 day early program may change or discontinue at any time. Up to 5 days early access to your federal tax refund is compared to standard tax refund electronic deposit and is dependent on and subject to IRS submitting refund information to the bank before release date. IRS may not submit refund information early.–
“I have dependents and got my refund before February 15th.” Yep, that happens! Alright, it’s time to bust a tax myth that pops up every year about the Path Act. We’re here to set the record straight on whether you’re affected and if you will be waiting until after 2/15 for your tax refund.
You CAN have dependents and NOT be impacted by it. And yes, you could also be affected by the PATH Act even if you DON’T have dependents. Think that doesn’t apply to you? Think again!
It’s crucial to understand how it works. And, it’s easy. Check your 1040!
Our post shows you just where to look. Let’s get the word out and make sure no one’s left scratching their heads this tax season!
👀 See our cheat sheet, the key is looking at lines 19, 27 & 28 of your 1040.
Check this page: Am I subject to the Path Act?
@Phyllis_123: I don’t know about always but I recommend keeping your documents to verify those charities on hand. That is something that can trigger an audit real quick. Saw it a lot when I worked at the irs call center
@Texas: I was also declined and I’ve been approved every other year.
@Nikki_1220: I hope so too. I went down the “still processing” rabbit home and I do not have the mental stability for 90% of those scenarios.
@@starchild1111: yeah I knew about agi and misspelling. Didn’t know the knsu6part can cause rejection though
@John-Jaw: Lame, I have a date of 1/29 but nothing yet!
Hello everyone,
Do they check your deductions like charities
@Mrs. P (not signed in): 03
@Monee: I’m hoping not I’m hoping we just got resequenced but if not could be I’d verify is what someone said but since so many got this message I’m hoping we have been resequenced fingers crossed
@Kjammer09: yes they will reject for that 1095 a insurance stuff and agi not being correct or even so much as a last name mis-spelling but because this tax season our acceptances are coming late ,i would just go off your transcripts once they fill in and the WMR or even the SBTG site for refund stat as well no need of calling the IRS lol or TT or SBTG etc (my opinion) my experience
@Mrs. P(not signed in): I’m thinking we possibly could see some dailies updating tonight.
Sorry do they update* not updated lol
Shelia do transcripts updated tonight for daily’s? I’m normally an 03 but trans is blank with as of 2/17/25
@John-Jaw: mines the same
@Ineedmy$$now: I was just thinking they don’t reject for stuff like insurance do they? I thought it was like spelling errors, AGI issues etc. I could be wrong. If it is wrong I wonder why it wouldn’t have popped up the 1st rejection. Bc wouldn’t it have said all of the errors?
@Mandie: Same for me except I filed on the 23rd. no record of return filed
@Ineedmy$$now: DUDE I just looked here. Your still waiting??? You said everything was double checked lol
I’m not actually laugh. It’s more like a damn moment that really sucks! Yeah the marketplace one is tricky. I hope it comes back quick for you now. Gzzz what a pain
@Tab: ❤️❤️ if you don’t mind me asking what was your cycle code on transcript?
@Jocelynn: thank you. I received my return in my bank account today about 2 PM. My DD day was Friday 1/31.
Anyone still waiting to be accepted? I fixed my return yesterday about 6:50pm EST and still nothing. I think the insurance part is wrong also but I didn’t have marketplace insurance or whatever it was so it may reject again today.. ughhhh
Another year.
As of: 2/10
Populated transcripts, all good codes already showing, and now just waiting for Path to lift.
@JustAshe: how do you get these results what website are you using ?
@TK They will send you a letter and you can send the forms to a number on the letter.
NY state accepted 2 hours ago .. I usually get my state before federal .. NY state returns be like a “mini” federal taxes real high in NY . They don’t hold for PATH got EIC wit state also