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.
@Monee: last year I went through the same thing. Never received a letter, called IRS, was told that I would have to wait until after Feb 15th, or for the “letter” to arrive, but before Feb 15th, the ID verify went away and I processed through once the PATH lifted.
@Monee: those questions are standardized questions to access your return, so yes and no, you verified who you were for them to be able to tell you anything, but you didn’t actually complete the ID verification process.
Nevermind. I don’t think I verified. At the end of the call she basically refused to tell me anything about anything because according to her I have to wait until after February 17. I asked her if she see’s that a letter is coming since that’s the reason she put me on hold and she just basically said maybe you will maybe you won’t, it hasn’t been 21 days. Even after trying to explain to her that my transcripts aren’t going to process unless I verifiy my identity she was still extremely rude.
anyone have blank account transcripts and have updated with populated codes today? I woke up with blank 2024 this morning. wondering if it will continue to update throughout the day. not seeing many updates since this morning.
@bella527: Exact same for me, except I used Turbo Tax.
@Monee: I called and the lady didn’t ask me anything got the basic information and she put me on hold and said we just started processing and I had to wait for a letter I’m gonna call again hopefully a nice lady or man picks up
Filed and accepted 1/17 transcript updated with code150 766 768 so am I just waiting for path and my 846 code
@Stephennotsignedin: same for me except as of updated to feb 17th
Does anyone know what a refund verification notice is for state taxes? I’m getting one today…my fed transcripts updated this morning all good codes
@2blessed: mine too
Blank transcripts and February 17 as of date
Feeling so stressed out. I have no idea if this woman is verifying me or just yelling at me. lol. She asked me some questions about my current tax return, my mother’s full name, my fathers first and last name, and where I was born. Now I’m on hold. But she just keeps telling me I can’t verify because the irs didn’t start accepting until the 27th. Why is this tax year so hard? Does it sound like I just verified? Don’t they have to push a button to send you back into processing?
Verification of non filing letter?
@Golly3112:
2023-20240605-Weekly
Pather
2024-Filed 01/06/25, Accepted 01/15/25
1/24/25-Transcript Updated with As Of Date: 02/10/25-No cycle codes-all blank, non filer on return transcript, and missing record of account transcript
01/31/2025
Updated with Account Summary information
Around 3:30 AM CST everything was partial out via transcripts
Checked this morning
All transcripts appeared and completely filed out
@bella527: last year I paid from refund (Santa Barbara) and didn’t receive my refund until the day before DDD. I was upset because I knew current released early. I was hoping you paid up front LOL. This year I paid up front
@Harris: Sure, Im kinda mad I didnt just pay my fee upfront cause me refund has to go to HRB first then they release it to me. Current is early . my pay day is Friday and I get paid Wednesdays. once in a while ill get paid on Tuesday night.
@bella527: I also use Current. Will you update when your deposit hits so I’ll have an idea when mine will?
@Mommy_3: I meant to say “a no hold bank card”. My fingers hit everything but the right thing.
Tax Preparer: self service via online HRB
Date Filed: Jan-17
Fees: transfer from refund
Bank: Current
Bars: 1st Bar
Date Accepted: Jan-21
Transcript: updated today 1/31/2025
Cycle Code: 20250505
Cycle: Weekly
Last Code: 846
DDD – 2/5/2025
fastest year by far.
@JocelynTexasMarie: did you have blank transcripts before? And when did you last check them? Just wondering bc I have blank transcripts and not sure if they’ll fill out today or if I’m waiting until next week.
@FatDaddy: I would say 2/21 is realistic – I’ve got my last 2 returns on 2/21 =)
@Kristen R: no it’s still going to go to cross river bank regardless you will get your refund on the day irs says what time don’t know alot of people going through the same thing
@Justin02555: well it’s always nice to have company in these situations!
@JocelynTexasMarie: did you have blank transcripts today before update?
Weeklies just checked again. All transcripts filled out have, cycle code 20250505,new address updated all good codes 150, 766, 768 just waiting for 846 to populate……new as of date 02/17/2025. Didn’t expect everything to run so smoothly but it did! They on it! 😁
No update that I know of. So.. Us 5 day early people are going through river cross bank?? Can anyone tell me about this? Like I’ve never dealt with them before.
@Va pather: hey my VA state still says processing, I was accepted the 21st for my state but I might get a dd date by tonight like I always do but will post once I update.
@VaGal07: hey my VA state was accepted the 21 St and I still don’t have a dd date yet, but it’s possible I might see one later for the 7th also, I’ll update you if I update to a date later for state, I always update at night but we will see I’m path also.
@Txmomof3girls: well glad to know im not the only one… makes me feel better. Hopefully next week we update.
@Monee: yes I called the IRS appointment line and waited for about 20 minutes before getting someone on the phone when I did that’s when I told him I think I needed to id verify he asked me my information to set a appointment and to confirm that I need to he came back after about 8 min and said I needed to verify for 2024 and I could do so today without letter due to me being in a disaster area
18445455640 is the number I called and then he transferred me to tax payer protection line and told me what to tell them and then I did it and was told it was successfully done and I would go back into processing and it can take 9 weeks
Is anyone else in same boat as myself? I filed and accepted 1/27 and I do not have any 2024 transcripts available
So i still have an as of date of 2/17/25 but transcripts are blank. I was accepted 1/22 I do have the account transcript populated but no codes anything besides my filing status. Do you all think something is up? or should i just wait? on WMR i do have tax topic 152.
@KentuckyMama606: not necessarily, we just don’t know for sure at this point if there is any significance for those of us that have only populated with account transcript with nothing on it besides that as of date vs. just having to cycle though again for another week. It could be just having to cycle again another week or it could be we are stuck for some reason. There is really no way of knowing until next week.
@Mommy_3: Yes and I don’t recommend either lol. Pay upfront and get a notification hold bank card lol!
@Kristen R: sorry for late response. I was driving. Other people in the form posted that your refund will go through Cross River bank and then to your bank and you were refunded for the $25 you probably won’t see your refund until the actual direct deposit date.
@Kristen R: yea, no
t a great deal, A fee of $25 on $5,000 for a period of 5 days would be an APR of 25%. On $2500, 50%! high!
Everything populated today, weekly, as of 2/17/2025
@Harris: So now we have Santa Barbara vs Cross River smh….