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.
@Brandi: I am in the same boat.
@FlawdaGurl: yes you can and I strongly recommend Free tax USA it’s free and IRS accepts them pretty quick
@All you need is love.: I did the 5 days but they refunded my money and said they couldn’t do the 5 days.
Filed 1/25 accepted 1/27 transcripts updated today all 4 show 2024 and have information. 846 2/4/2025, WMR still at 1 bar refund just posted to my credit union!!
@Ricki_Tavi: I’m still waiting to be accepted by irs I resubmitted on the 27th via TT
Filed with TT on January 22nd rejected on 27th due to EIC form I forgot to attach so I went in and fixed issue and resubmitted the same day now it’s just pending ever since on TT my question is since it’s still pending can I go on another site and resubmit my return and see if it gets accepted or just continue to wait through TT? If so will that mess me up? I usually file through my tax preparer but with all the outrageous fees i couldn’t afford to this year
@Jen: no it wasn’t an advance.
@Brandi: yes whoever is main on the return will be the one you want to access
Me and my husband file jointly.. claiming no children, when I pull my transcripts I am showing nothing yet for 2024, but since he is listed first on our return should we be pulling his transcripts instead? Filed and was accepted on 1/28
@Walter DOG:
True i used free tax usa this year and was accepted in 10 minutes.
No more TT for me. I only paid 14.99 for my state return and fed absolutely FREE..
Free tax usa going forward!!!
We won’t get a 846 code until after oath is lifted correct??? TIA
@JennyB: was it an advanced?
@woem: best way to find out is contact the IRS and speak with someone and they should be able to tell you
For everyone still waiting to be accepted by the IRS, I filed 1/29 via TT and was accepted by the IRS 1/29. Typically TT will send an email and text message confirming acceptance. However, I still have yet to receive any updates from TT. I thought it was odd so I just checked WMR and see the update.
@Dentonj88: no update for me either
Filed 1/25 accepted 1/27 transcripts updated today all 4 show 2024 and have information. 846 2/4/2025, WMR still at 1 bar
Hello, Did anyone use direct file through the IRS?
damm just got a letter from irs saying they paid me 58 dollars interest for last year delaying my refund. great i didnt know i had to claim that never even entered my mind. is that gonna hold up my refund. anyone know?
@LWBOSS: when does the path lift
@Ineedmy$$now: your still waiting to be accepted? I think I would refill with a different tax company like Free tax USA their the best it’s free and they get accepted the fastest I have noticed over the years
I used to follow this forum years ago but haven’t in a while. Can someone tell me how cycle codes work
I just got my refund it’s crazy. Filed on Monday with TurboTax with the 5-day early fee, was accepted 45 minutes later by the IRS. I checked this morning my refund still said processing. Then I got an email at 11:30 from TurboTax saying that my refund was going to be deposited in my account in the next 30 minutes.
@Dentonj88: no, but it should be a big update on transcripts for weeklies tomorrow morning though. I’ll be back to update once my transcripts fill in. I’m a weekly so I sing along with the same song every year lol it’s called updated transcripts then path act lifts 😆
@G: and some people could start seeing deposits a week after that.
@G: path lift is on the 15th, but with it being on the weekend and Monday being a holiday nothing will happen until Tuesday.