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.
Still no update just blank transcripts and where’s my refund says still being processed and a refund date will be provided when available no tax topic so I was like the hell with this I know what’s up. Same thing happened last year I had to id verify so I called at 8 am to the taxpayer identity verification line and I was told I
IRS site currently not working. WMR on the site is completely missing and transcripts aren’t loading at all. Message says partial outage
transcripts updated today. all are filled out besides the 846 code. filed 1/8/25 and accepted 1/17/25. have to wait for path to lift but with transcripts updating overnight that means i’m weekly right? usually receive my refund a few days after path lifts.
@Mama bear: Same for me. Filled 1/22/2025 accepted 1/23/2025. Transcripts updated last week with zero’s and as of date 2/172025. This morning same as of date.
@2025 mula: I think they update throughout the day. No sure but possibly. Check this afternoon or this evening.
Does anyone else just not even have their 2024 account transcripts yet? I feel like most of you have them and they’re blank, but that’s more than I have. I only have the return not filed one for this year.
Not sure if this would affect it, but when we first filed we applied for the advance and for some reason, my last name was not listed correctly (it must have prepopulated with my husband’s last name and I never legally changed it to his), so the return was rejected at first. We fixed the issue, resent it, and it was accepted the next day. But I feel like even though I’m a PATHer, my transcripts should have at least popped up, even if they’re blank?
@Mommy_3: If you’re on the path you won’t see 846 until after it lifts. It will not lift until February 18th since the 15th falls on a Saturday and the 17th is a holiday.
@Jamieinlouisiana: PLEASE keep us updated on that!
@Kristen: Right!!!
I mean, has ANYONE that signed up for the 5 days earlier through TT ACTUALLY received it five days earlier. I think, no. I’m mad I even did it. Wonder if I can cancel. Lol
@FatDaddy: If you’re on a computer (and logged in), click the three lines in the upper right corner, select filing details, and fill out all the info.
@FatDaddy: yep that’s the thing. Nothings there. I have always received my refund the Friday before my DDD. Should of never tested date bc I know j won’t receive it today
@Kristen R, should be able to keep an eye on sbtpg website to see when they get it first!
Good morning all!
So I filed Monday 1/27 accepted 1/28. Married no dependents, only credit is education. We’ve been weekly for YEARS.So for giggles i thought let me check my transcripts. We’ll low and behold I have the 846 code on it for 02/05/25. So does that mean we switched to daily?
Also I did the $25 get your refund 5 days faster thru turbo tax. I wonder if we will see our refund today? It’s going to our bank (Chase)..
@2025 mula: same here my transcript updated to blank last Friday and no update today
Transcripts updated to with a 02/05/25 DDD which is next Wednesday. Last year I received my refund the Friday before my DDD which would be today (same day my transcripts updated). I have a feeling I should have never signed up for the five days early with TurboTax bc something tells me it’s actually going to DELAY my refund. I guess we will see. I used Venmo debit for my DD and last year k received it the Friday before my actual ddd at 11 am. I’ll keep you all posted but I think TT screwed us just to make money
@mommy_3 I was hoping i’d get it that week the DDD shows up or the weekend and I’ll be happy lol but we shall see for sure. I’ll be thrilled to see it before march.
I’m 05 and did not update overnight. WHAT IS GOING ON??
@FatDaddy: Same boat. And that’s what I’m hoping. Just thinking maybe TT screwed us on the 5-day early thing.
Doesn’t really make sense if you have the PATH credits but we shall see:)
First time commenter, how do you guys get the blue little info bars that you input your info on here?
Filed 1/15 TT *5Days early deposit w/chime
Accepted 1/17
Weekly Updates, First time path
Last week blank scripts
updated today all except wage which populates just no info
150, 766, 768
Fingers Crossed for 2/21 update to DDD the following week. Is that realistic?
Good morning everyone. I woke up today with transcripts but no codes or anything yet. Does that make me daily or weekly.