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.
@HappyInNc: only for some, and it’s for very few. Anyone with eitc or actc can’t move fast. Very simple returns with zero changed information tend to move a little faster. But it is still not very common to process in less than 2 weeks
@angelae: you’re waiting for the PATH to release.
anybody with capital one DD 2/6 received their refund yet? its my first year with C1
@CrazedinGA: it doesn’t protect against hikes per se. It protects against someone fraudulently claiming those credits. Thousands upon thousands of tax returns processed for years claiming children that weren’t there’s and credits that they didn’t qualify for. This is what happens when too many people defraud the system
@Ashl3y: they automatically refund the $25 if you don’t get your refund up to 5 days early
Question processing date 2/24/2024 also on code 150 and cycle ending 02 what does this mean? Will i need to process again on 2/24/2025 I have codes 150 806 766 768 whats next ? Will I not get a refund
@CrazedinGA: it said by March 3, not on March 3. And the irs had this in their page a few weeks ago. The earliest you will likely see a path refund would be the third week of feb
Got the generic TT email today about how PATH filers won’t see their refund until mid-Feb so maybe my scripts will actually generate tomorrow 🙃🤡
Finally a daily!!! Trans updated to all good codes as of stayed 2/17 God is good waiting til that path lifts n for nys to move they booties lol
@TheMadness21: don’t know why some as of dates are changing all I know since 2015 when path was law my return froze with good codes and the as of dates stayed until the path lifted and 846 was added then the as of date pushed out this is first year doing this I wonder if daily is staying at the same as of date and weekly pushing out this year for some reason
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH Act) prevents the IRS from issuing early refunds (before mid-February) on any tax return that claims the EITC and/or ACTC. You can expect to get your refund by March 3 as long as you e-filed, chose to get your refund via direct deposit, and have no issues with your return.
By February 22, the IRS’s Where’s My Refund tool should show an updated status for most early EITC/ACTC filers.
Not as if we don’t know already but TurboTax just sent this email out we should get the path update soon … I also want a refund for paying $25 for it to be so called sent early ——————We’re reaching out because you might have received incorrect information about when to expect your tax refund. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused, and want to help ensure you have the correct timeline from the IRS since you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).
I just got a letter from TT stating that ppl with EITC and CTC should see dd on March 3, 2025. If my transcript is complete minus the release code would it really take until March 3???? Path is such a long walk. Can someone explain how making everyone with these credits wait protects Americans from Tax Hikes???
@hope10101: OK Thank you.
Filed 1/31 and accepted the same day. Only partial transcript says as of 2/24 but still no return filed…
I’m usually daily. I thought I would have my transcripts filled in by now…
Anyone know when my transcripts may fill in?!
@HappyInNc: Only you wish that were true!
Thanks for the good laugh!
@YALLDTMfr2025: sounds good thank you very much
@Pearlmarto: You cannot do anything until you receive the verification letter in the mail. It will have a number you need to provide to complete your taxes.
Who else is still waiting for their refund from last year?
What bar are you on , on WMR?
Any updates for you?
@walter DOG my as of date changed today but I’m normally a weekly my cycle codes is 05 my as of date changed like others to 2/24 but my processing date say 2/17 which date should I be going by? Why do you think my as of date changed but not my processing date?
Hey guys. My wmr still says that it’s still processing for about a week. This morning I received a notification in my irs account that I have to verify. Do you guys know if I have to wait for a letter because I don’t want to press on the verification link if I have to wait for a letter.
@HappyInNc: Chime. I’ve usually received my refund a few days before but not this time.
@Kyra: Call back and listen to the dates, the 22nd was likely last year as the 22nd this year is a weekend and IRS doesn’t process DDD’s on weekends.
@Monee: that is actually how they verify you now and how their systems are set up. the systems randomly generates a series of questions to be asked and once all that info is verified, the system then gives the agent access to your account. the agent cant see anything until that verification takes places and it passes. its a pain sometimes but its a safeguard against those who try and steal your identity
@TNic: who do you bank with?
Cycle code 20250505
Hoping for update tonight into tomorrow 🥲
Anybody else still waiting for their deposit with a DDD of 2/7?
It blows my mind that they will ask 10 million questions and still not verify. Just got asked about almost everything on my 2022 return and she said “ok, let me finish researching your account”. What the heck. lol
Filed 1/31 and accepted the same day. Only partial transcript says as of 2/24 but still no return filed…
I’m usually daily. I thought I would have my transcripts filled in by now…
Anyone know when my transcripts may fill in?!
Thanks
Filed 2/2/25 accepted the same day. Woke up this morning with money in the bank. I used Turbo Tax paid fees upfront and carried 1 child. They are moving fast this year.
@Amuz1234: mine did that last year I was done so it stop processing until I got my 846 code after path lifts
So I called the offset line and it told me the amounts and the date of Feb 22nd does that mean that’s when I’ll receive my refund? (My transcripts haven’t filled in yet) Also I tried calling the number they give you to find out who the debt it owed to but I keep getting transferred. Will they just send a letter?