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.
@Confused in ohio: me too. I feel it might because of an update. Fingers crossed 🤞!
Getting a error when checking transcripts says try again later
Good morning! I thought when I got up this morning and checked WMR the path message would atleast be gone! Didn’t expect to see any 846 codes happening but dang it I thought that message would have disappeared lol
@Shelia_33 I have all normal processing codes on my transcript and I’m just waiting for code 846. I filed married filing jointly this year, but I normally file head of household. I’m receiving a letter from the IRS today according to USPS Informed Delivery. My account balance shows “INFO,” and there are no other unusual codes. Could this possibly be an ID verification letter?
@Deano: right! Let’s see if anything changes this week
@Anothertaxpayer:
I completely understand that I usually have a filled out transcript by now I didn’t even get to see the path act message lol
I was just checking my records of when I downloaded my account transcript on 02/18/2025. I was cycle 01. At 6:08am mst no 846 was reflecting. At 7:16am mst the 846 was posted. This year I am a 03. Just here waiting with all.
@Confused in ohio: Not a clue, lol. But last year, they started around 8 in the evening.
A friend and I filled same day. He has a DDD 3/2 code 846 on transcript.
Mine hasn’t update, path message on WMR. As of 2/23, processing date 3/2. Just codes 766 & 768. The wait is killing me.
@DiddlySquatter: From what I’ve been seeing this year, its taking around 10 days to process and update. If you’ll go to the search bar and type in id verify, it will pull up others comments about it.
@DiddlySquatter: I had to last year I got the letter 2/7/25 and got my refund 2/28/25
What time will transcripts start updating today
Has anyone already done their return or ID verification? Informed delivery says I’ll get the letter today and I’m curious how long it takes after verification. I have to verify my return and I’m hoping it doesn’t take the full nine weeks like it says.
mmmm… love the smell of fresh transcript 846s in the morning….
Thank you @Snaps 😊
Good morning everyone! Daily processing today! Possible transcript updates late evening into Wednesday morning. It’s gonna get busy so help each other and be kind.
@Honeybee82: You’re absolutely right. I never said it was funded. I just said I can see thee amount, and also see the fees they charge. I’m on path and I’m a weekly. So I’m not expecting any updates till Friday.
@Stop lying people: I’m not sure if this is what they meant, but they just didn’t word it clearly enough? My federal amount and fees are showing up on my SBTPG too, but mine definitely still says ‘unfunded’ – since the IRS hasn’t sent them my refund yet. Hopefully that’s what they mean too, because no one on Path has had their refund ‘funded’ on SBTPG yet lol 😄
@MomOf7Sons: I’m in the same boat. I’m curious as well. Who knows?
I’m confused, will dailies be seeing transcript updates now- early morning or Tuesday night-Wednesday morning?
@@jessnicci: it happens lol