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.
@Stephennotsignedin: Same here. It’s always something with the IRS. Last year it was ID verification. I don’t understand how some people updated and were accepted after you. I’m still seeing my 2023 tax information instead of my 2024.
Here comes another update.
I haven’t updated yet either. Pretty sure we will update soon.
When I go to see my transcripts I still ain’t updated but like it keeps saying berror when loading 2024 transcript
No update at all for me yet. Not even the 2024 return transcript it still says no filler blah blah blah if I was going to be id verify wouldn’t my as of date gets pushed out at least
And definitely and update in progress 😎
2024 Account Summary populated….but unable to access the transcript error message “The system has encountered an unrecoverable error processing Transaction 107362167158 – 1.
We apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause.
Please try again later or contact the IRS.” I’m going to stop for the night!! Gotta be up in a few hours! Y’all have a blessed and beautiful night/ morning!! I’ll update tomorrow.
Filed 01/27
Accepted same day and Transcripts filled in about 20
Minutes ago also 05 weekly
and eventually path act
It’s an outage .. it’s definitely updating already it won’t let you see any balances .. payments or anything when you login on the irs account “maintenance window”
My 2024 non filler for return is still saying that and no update yet my as of date is still Feb 10 2025
Wmr says still being processed and a refund date will be provided when available last Friday my transcript updated to zeros and nothing since
@Rebs: If I’m not mistaken your transcripts should be completed and code 846 if everything is good. You may want to double verify 🙂
Partial Outage on the IRS website as of now. Transcripts show zero still but the record of no 2024 tax record went away and now shows the amounts for the year and the expected refund amount for record of 2024. Hopefully later it’ll all be populated and transcripts will all be updated with no zeros and with good codes.
@Rebs: Thursday, February 6, 2025-Translates to 2025 year 05 week of the year , and 05 means that you’re weekly. I believe there is information on the site about it.
@Rebs: I have path credits so I won’t see a deposit until at least the 21st . It’s possible if you don’t have path credits . I will most likely update to the path message tomorrow morning until it’s lifted on the 17th like the last 2 years I had path message until it lifted
@NYkhidd: what does it mean? Is it any indication of when our deposit day is?
@Rebs: same here 2025 0505 .. I was 2024 0505 last year lol
Cycle code 2025 0505 .. I was 2024 0505 last year lol . I can see the return transcript the account wit the codes hasn’t populated yet . You can see the cycle code on the return transcript .
Weekly here!
I just updated with a cycle code of 20250505, I can’t remember what all the 5s mean 😭
05’er here.. i now have a record of account transcript and a return transcript for 2024- something is happening! 🎉
All 4 of my 2024 transcripts are showing … “non filling disappeared” transcript still showing blank . Something is updating as of date still 2/10/25
I spoke too soon. Just checked. Return transcript with from Non Filer and is currently on file…..so they are updating. 😁
No update here in Texas as of yet. Weeklies we got all day. So be patient, things will start rolling! 😀
no update
still waiting
No update for me yet (I’m a weekly)
@ChrissC: not yet
Anyone update yet??
Last night then daily trans was updating by now want they
Being a weekly and path. I have path message in my wmr. Probably no 846 for a about 3 weeks?
@Mbry0625: me neither! And I use netspend so I usually get the $ the same day I get the 846. I’m wishing you good luck and all the 846 fairy dust!
Hello everyone,
I’m 05 also I filed 1/28/25. No credits this year yay me. Hopefully it will go fast.
@Mommyof8: not necessarily, I got my refund in 5 days last year with the credits for school
@Golly3112: right I don’t have the credits neither so I’d get mine probably tomorrow lol
@Ineedmy$$now: I hope it gets accepted this time.
I have to wait on the IRS to reject my return again. I hope it doesn’t take 72 hours how it did before with TT . So frustrated
@Mbry0625: fingers crossed! I hadn’t paid attention to the address when I looked at transcripts a couple days ago, but I got excited when I noticed my new address today!
@Golly3112: hey me too lol
@CrimsonPhoenyx: okay cool thanks seems like this year everything is going fast I have an as of date of 2/17/25 I barley filed Monday!
@Erikkka: I would say Thursday. Originally it was different, but my friend who is a weekly ‘s number is 05 and updates on only fridays.
I have to wait on the IRS to reject my return again. I hope it doesn’t take 72 hours how it did before with TT .
If my cycle ends with 04 what day will I update?
@Introvert_taxtime: Thank you!!
Hi all! Filed & accepted on 1/27. Had a change of address last year. New address is showing on my 2023 account transcript. Do yall think that means I’m moving along? I’m a weekly so I didn’t expect any updates until next week, but wondering if I could possibly see an update tomorrow?
Wishing all the weeklies the best of luck on transcript updates. May the odds be ever in your favor.
@CrimsonPhoenyx: correct! Feb 15th it lifts!
@gratefulmag777: not this year, but did for many. It seems like the process has gotten faster in recent years, but still, expect 6 weeks. If it comes quicker, be thankful, bc it can take up to 6 months sometimes. Not saying yours will. Just speaking from years of dealing with the struggle.
@Ineedmy$$now: oh wow. So you just found this out??
Are you just going to keep holding out for TT to accept?
It got rejected due to 1095a but I don’t have that form so I had to click the button where nobody has it.: I pray I don’t have to wait 72 hours again.
Anyone know what time transcripts started updating last night
Filed today. Claimed eitc and CTC. I know we are waiting until mid Feb before they start processing those. Right? Fifth year here. Normally a lurker. Hoping to be more active this year.
Well hoping to have a good news and updates on everything tomorrow morning! Fingers crossed since it has been sitting in processing for two weeks and no movement.
@Ineedmy$$now: you may need to file through a different company now.
I called and they were really no help.: I give up!!
Will claiming the school credit for my daughter in college put me a weekly if I’ve been daily for 2 years? Someone please help.
@TXBAMA: ok thx I thought it was just me
@Monee: nope
@Monee: mine does not