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.
@Amuz1234: they must of missed me.. I was accepted same day 1/28 NYS .. I’m ON DECK waiting
@BMOREMOMOFTHREEANDAHALFatwork they also use Cross River bank..
@BMOREMOMOFTHREEANDAHALFatwork: are you a pather?
@SennaGoFast: mine is scheduled to be sent to my bank tomorrow 2/7
Hey everyone, I hope everyone is having a great Thursday. Well ive been checking to see when the “waves” of people getting there refunds will start….i thought we would start seeing it on the 5th but no, all i have seen have been random here and there people saying they got there refunds….BUT maybe with tomorrow being the 7th, we will start seeing waves of people tomorrow saying they got there refunds………I filed and was accepted on 1-24, I cant go check my transcripts, but i only have one bar, im not on path, dont have any kids or anything like that….but whenever I get mine, I will let you all know……have as good of a thursday night as you can.
@Stacka: list all your codes and that will tell us more about the 971 code
@Introvert_taxtime: yes
Does turbo tax still use SBBT To send tax refunds to us. When i go to SBBT website, it’s saying it doesn’t exist . My refund is scheduled to be sent to my bank tomorrow
@Omegadread: Could dailies update as well?!?
@Stacka: are there any other codes on your transcript besides those? That 971 is notice issues could be nothing but could hold up your refund.
I have code 971 notice issued with the date 2/17 0.00 other codes are 150/806 my question is do I have to wait on the notice for my transcript to update or will I get code 846
Nys refund approved with ddd of 2/10. Happened in last hour..accepted 28th
Trans update for weeklies tomorrow who’s ready
Does it mean anything if your As Of and Processing dates are different
@CrazedinGA: you’re a daily this year! 😊
Hello all. Usually I get a reject or accepted the same day. I filed again after getting rejected last night and still nothing. Thanks in advance
My cycle code is 20250604… does that mean I’m a daily? I’m usually a weekly.
@HappyInNc: Are you sure you had PATH Credits???
@Monee: @Monee: No change. Still the original “As of” Feb 10 “Processing” Feb 17 Codes 150 and 768…
@Mommy_3: I am just as surprised. TBH I was not expecting my refund until the end of March. I logged into my bank account to transfer some money and there it was. I logged out and logged back in to make sure it was my account. This has never happened before.
@Monee: I’m sorry don’t give up keep calling u will eventually get that right representative
My as of date changed to Feb 24😭😭😭I’m hoping I see some positive update tonight
@Curious Chris.: mine says head of household, which is correct!
When do you think dailies will update on transcripts?
@Bolinger4: i was told when I verify to just have 2024 and 2023 returns and any info like a w2 so i can answer the questions.
@Mommy_3: did you update with codes?
I just got the notice on the account to verify. Of course have to wait for notice to do that. Someone said to call and make an appt to go into the office. How does that work? What do you have to carry with you?
@VA757pather: mine changed as well!
Hi yall,
I’m not sure when my transcripts updated today, but I have a refund issue date of 02/11/25.
Filed 02/27/25
Accepted 02/27/25
As of 01/17/25
Cycle 20250604 (last year I was 03 and before that, I was a weekly for the longest time)
I did have school credit.
WMR still shows accepted
Chose the five day early option but we shall see.
@HappyInNc: Lol but how tho???
@Introvert_taxtime: I filed on 29th and have the same thing on transcript. Only difference is mine says I filed single when I filed head of household. Does yours say what you filed?
@NYkhidd: I am the same my as of date changed from 2/17 to 2/24
I am a weekly and didn’t expect the change until Friday
All good codes
@Stephennotsignedin: tried the disaster area thing and she said “that just means you don’t have to go into the office”. Lol. I’m just going to wait on the letter….the one that doesn’t exist bc its not even generated yet. I cant make this stuff up.
@liesyoutold: For anyone inquiring I filed on 2/2/25 filed with a child with the credits money deposited today I don’t know how but it did.
@TNic: I use WF and it was there this morning.
I had a offset of 1300$ in orange yesterday 02/05/25 my offset is paid and now return is in green on 02 /06/25 how long til did? Anyone?
@NYkhidd: So me not changing to the 24th is probably bad ugh!
Yo
As of date was 2/17/25 until this morning .. changed to 2/24/25 .. I kinda figured it would change again path lifts on 17th which is a holiday so it was expected .. just didn’t expect it to change until Friday morning like I updated last week with all the good codes