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.
Well, this is odd. I filed Jan 17. Was accepted by the IRS almost right away. I check WMR and it says return received with Tax Topic 152. I was supposedly accepted in the test batch. But until now, I have no transcripts. Transcripts for 2024 still say no record of return filed.
Anyone see their refund yet?
@God is Great: It can be processed and the transcript will show your credits/etc just no refund date until after path lifts.
So I filed 1/29 and I got accepted 10 minutes later my bar is still on the first one and I have a transcript but it’s blank I claimed the Eitc and the ctc. Is it a waste of time to be checking it until the path lifts ? Would it fill with codes or would the Wmr bar move before the path lifts. I just would like some clear insight. Thanks
@Walter DOG: did you ever get any input as to why some like myself stayed at 2/10 with good codes, and others like you mived to 2/17 with good codes..really curious
@Ashl3y:
On this page, scroll down to the green highlight box titled IRS Tools and click on IRS Update Calendar
@Ashl3y: IRS Update Calendar
On this page scroll down to highlighted green box, and click IRS Update Calendar.
@naughtyrockets: That’s odd since your a daily if those blank transcripts popped up on the 24th. Maybe ID verify, are there any pending notices in your IRS account online?
@Beth: I just seen your post but google IRS ID Verify and try to verify online if it lets you then that’s why you have that message but if it says we can’t help you then it’s probably just because you need to cycle through again
Morning everyone! So Weekly folks we are waiting for trans updates on Friday right? Or is it Thursday?
Top of the morning my peeps,I pray everyone has a blessed day and sending good vibes that everyone updates this week and get behind us Saten ,GOD’S IN CONTROL
SO. Frustrated. Still no movement. Filed 1/17. Accepted 1/21. Blank transcripts popped up on the 24th. NOTHING since then. Still says “As of 2/10”. So we’ll see. I was an 04 last year so I keep checking. I’ll check again this PM and see if there is any change. Should I call?
@Stephennotsignedin: amen Stephen!!!!!!!! It’s coming
@harrya: a lot of people have that on their transcripts still. When did IRS accept your return? If you just filed and it was just accepted you probably have not processed yet for anything to change with your transcripts. It’s not an immediate thing.
@Monee: thanks for the information. I’m stuck on 2/10 and I’m a weekly. Maybe Friday I see change?
@Stl: i had that message last year. I was in the errors dept and they were fixing an error. It didn’t really hold me up and I had my refund with the rest of the pathers.
just went to view transcripts everything looks good.. codes 150 806 and 768
Last year my transcripts say 846 ddd 2/22/2024 but we got it 2/16/2024 we had path credits wonder when we will get it this year
We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe. You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund. We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible. This is the message on wmr
@shelleybeanss: Hi remember me from last year what a nightmare it was, hope its better this year
Something else i dont get how my state return gets processed in 2 days and is in the mail prob tomorrow, why fed cant do that?
Good morning my peeps
Hope everyone is having a blessed day and just know God always comes through when you need him to. Just know God has his hands in everyone of us just know God is in control and what will be will be
I gave up stressing over this refund I gave it up to God and he will give it to me in good time. I pray everyone has a very blessed day and may God give you comfort in your time of need.
My transcript still says no record of filing ,but tt says it was accepted and wmr the same anyone else
@Monee: usually I only see an update on WMR on Saturday the day after my transcript update on Friday .. unless you get the “still being processed refund date provided when available” that message usually pops up randomly sometimes
@Beth: oh ok maybe your in progress to updating i know at first its a system thing and if they need to pull anything theyll pop a code up on ur transcripts so they may help you see what’s happening specifically with yours and put them beside hers to get a wide view of what codes your expecting i believe i’m late replying sorry hope you got your answer hun
I claim EITC and was accepted January 27th. My DDD is February 17th. Hope it’s true. Can’t wait
@Lily: awesome do you know when he filed?
@ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow: that’s the whole point of the page. The entire point is for questions regarding filing, ddd, letters. Move on. This isn’t the place for you, obviously. JFC
@Monee: I’m not sure. Mine has only ever updated the day after transcripts update
@Thor: My nephew got his refund Friday
Question: does wmr only update once a week or does it change any time something happens. It’s early so I hope I’m making sense.
@Sharmaine: they are blank
The only stupid question is the one not asked! Good morning folks! Sprinkling a little positivity on the forum!
@Non-Pather: what chart are you going off hun!? Where can I find it
@ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow: it’s called a thread for a reason not for Karen’s like you to complain since when did you become the boss and since when did we have to listen to you about what to post and what not to post hope you have a better day… working nights seems to have you cranky bud
@Thor: yes every year for the last 3 years i received my money before it updated. i use a regular bank no card.
@Kayleee: I said what I said. And I work nights you should be the one who’s sleep. I touched a nerve as stated per reply below stop clogging up the thread with irrelevant bs
@ItsMyMoney&IwantItNow: well someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.. what’s it to you if someone has a question or concern if it doesn’t apply let it fly..ever heard of minding your own business
@Aris5505: No your tax refund will go through cross river bank.
@hopefloats: Hi cross river bank is the bank they gonna use hope this helps I’m in the same boat.
Does anyone know what bank they use if they elect the $25 early 5 day deposit even if they don’t do it???
Has anyone ever gotten a deposit before anything updated?
@Umm what bank do they use?