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.
@Sheila_33: i got there codes and cycle and 02/17 so inam good😍?
Hello all, Hope everyone has a smooth tax season…
@Ninaprb: I did not say as of date. I said processing date. Those are two different dates. On your transcript the as of date is a holding date that signifies the computers that something needs to happen to your return by that date. The processing date is next to your cycle code. The processing date is when the IRS expects to have your return processed by. Please go back and read my comments.
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: thats incorrect the as of date is not the date that they will process your return
So, we just got a 1099-misc in the mail from when my husband was on a (paid) medical leave and we thought we had all of the forms needed from that company to file our taxes, so I’m wondering if this is part of the reason why we don’t have any movement at all 🙃
Hey all!!! Glad to see my old friends and some new ones …Happy Taxing!!!
@Vanessae: I filed the 23rd and was accepted the 24th too and I only have my account transcript with nothing filled in and an as of date 2/17/2025, I just think we have not finished processing and should update this Friday.
Back again for the refund rodeo. Trying Column Tax with Varo this year. Guess we will see how it goes
I checked my transcripts and 2024 are not at all filled just as of date 2/17/2025 confused filled the 23rd
Of January accepted the 24 . Is this a problem?
@Mandie: Thank you!
account if you’re looking for cycle codes, ddd, etc i mean
@WA State girl 22: That date is the processing date, so they will start processing your return again on that date. However, the 17th is a holiday so it will process again for release on the 18th.
@DAL: account
What transcript should i be looking at?
@Walter DOG: 1 bar with being processed and Tax Topic 152. Ive always been a weekly
Why would everything be finished on my transcripts? The codes are 150, 766, and 768. Every other year, it was always blank until it was completed. I mean everything else is complete. I wish I could share the transcript for reference.
Weekly PATHER I will be back Friday and Saturday for a better update.
Filed 1/27
As of 2/17
Black transcripts
filed and accepted 1/27 using freetaxusa…no movement since filing. thought id have some kind of update this past friday however heres to hoping i update this friday
@Monee: Ok, so if SSA shows our 2024 earnings, does that mean we’re processing? I believe I checked last week and there were no 2024 earnings showing, just 2023.
@Amariex3: you’ll update this week if daily tomorrow night if weekly Friday morning does your wmr still have the regular received and processing message with the one bar
filed today with TurboTax and no issues.. was accepted within 20 minutes.. PATHer
Blank transcripts with an as of date of 02/17 what’s the word on the streets for this scenario?. Filed 01/15 I’m a pather
@Joe Shmoe: i think that too. Everyone i have spoken to with the still processing message had w2’s not showing on SSA. It seems like those of us who were missing finally had them show up so I’m curious to see what happens.
@tiffany9162: I think most of us Pathers can expect it that week or the following.
@StarringL: same here. Since I’m daily I expect my transcripts to update overnight.. try checking tomorrow. That’s my plan..
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: I’m not referring to the as of date all of my transcripts are completely filled out with good codes and the 2/17 next to my cycle codes is what I’m referring to
I filed on the 31st and return was received but my transcript says
On February 03, 2025, we received a request for verification of non-filing of a tax return.
is of the date of this letter, we have no record of a processed tax return for the tax period listed above.🤷🏽♀️
@Walter DOG: I’m not needing to ID verify, or at least not yet anyway. I did last year and caught it right away and made an appointment at my local tax office. If I need to ID verify again this year I’ll do the same.
@DAL: NEVERMIND LOL I FOUND IT