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.
Transcripts filled in. Codes 150, 806, 766, 768. Date moved from as of Feb 17 to as of Feb 24. 05 weekly. No letters So I’m guessing I’m waiting for 846.
I haven’t seen anything new for the past two Fridays. >.< Frustrating as heck. I was hoping for today, transcripts went down for awhile and came back up. Nothing different whatsoever. Still as of February 24th.
Good morning! Transcripts all filled out. Codes 150 and 768. Cycle code
20250605. And as of date went from 2/17 to 2/24. No bad codes. Im hoping im good to go until the path lifts. Wmr still has 1 bar. What do you think?
Does the transcript movement happen all at once?
It’s 4:00am EST and my acct transcript has a few zeros only with as of February 24th. (Which is a new update today)
Return transcript still shows the “verification of non filing”. Can this change today still?
Pather NY state updated 2/6 for Direct deposit 2/10 Federal transcripts updated with date of 2/24 changed from 2/17******
Panther NY state updated 2/6 for Direct deposit 2/10 Federal transcripts updated with date of 2/24 changed from 2/17
846! 2-12 ddd no path credits.
Filled Jan 22
Accepted Jan 23
Have 2 dependents
WMR never changed to PATH
Said it is being processed
Transcripts been blank saying no return filed As of Feb 17, 2025
Just checked my transcript at 3:45am everything is filled in with good codes just missing the 846 code
As of Feb 24, 2025
@jemar707: I could be wrong, but I think this refers to 26 U.S. Code § 24, that states that taxpayers are allowed a Child Tax Credit of $1,000 per qualifying child for the taxable year, provided they are eligible for a deduction under Section 151 of the tax code.
They must meet the Qualifying Child Test or the Qualifying Relative Test to be eligible.
They must be under 19 years old, or under 24 years old if they are a full-time student at the end of the calendar year and pass the Dependent Taxpayer Test, Citizen and Resident Test or Joint Return Test.
The Child Tax Credit and Credit also relates as it should be reported on Line 19 of your tax return.
@Stephen: where do you see on transcripts you need to verify?
How do you see if you have to verify on your transcripts online
Welp. Had a credit on my transcript until this morning and it updated with 570 code. Now I’m terrified. Sucks…
I verified last Fri and today all my transcripts are updated all good codes now just waiting for path to lift. Wishing everyone great news. I’m going to bed gn
846 for 2/12
Cycle 0605
As of: 02/17
Accepted on: 01/24
NO dependents no PATH credits
Filing status is Single
I have education credits and I pay an insane amount of federal tax
GOOD LUCK PATHERS.. yall next!
Anyone out there lol?
@jemar707: the earliest possible DDD for people with PATH ACT credits???
I think it’s kinda sad that anyone would charge 25 dollars for “5 days earlier” They are basically saying they won’t hold your money and will just pass it on as soon as they get the authorization. Many banks and cards like Chime, don’t charge a penny to deposit without holding. After all, it is YOUR $. No bank or tax prep can cause the IRS to make your DDD appear 5 days earlier. You will get the same DDD with or without paying that extra 25 dollars. If you pay up front and use a bank that doesn’t hold $, like Chime and many others, etc. then you will get your dd the same day the your transcript updates with the 846 release code. That would be the absolute earliest. Am I right?
I finally see all my transcripts but they haven’t filled in yet. I’m weekly 05 code. As of Feb 17
I’m a pather with as of 2/17 date filed 1/27 accepted same day. Checked my irs.gov today and they say they mailed me a verification notice. Same for my brother and son. I’ve never had to verify, ever! So hopefully I receive the letter this weekend and can verify online so nothing is held up. As of now my transcripts are blank for 2024 and im weekly Friday update. WMR message is “still processing” and return received.
Hope this helps someone..
I think because fraud is up they’re makinf folks verify this year
How do I know if I am a daily or a weekly? I filed my taxes on 1/29 and I am a Pather. I logged into my account yesterday and it said No Return Processed for 2024. I know Path lifts on 2/17…but I am looking for the 846 code…
@Monee:My return transcript is now all filled out just waiting for the account transcript and it now shows my 2024 return summary
See yall in the AM
WMR down in Texas
@Mbry0625: same!!!
UPDATE.. Return transcript showing with AIG and refund amount. account transcript As of date 2.17.25 still blank. hope there is an update with codes on the account tomorrow. Let walk this PATH down.
Filed 1.27.2025
Accepted 1 .27.2015
Freetaxusa
@Mbry0625: same!!!!
All my transcripts are available now with my income from 2024. Account just isn’t filled in yet.
@Monee: Yelling? Wasn’t aware I was yelling but ok.
@Walter DOG: ok.
@ErisedMai: ok.
Refresh my mind, went to see my transcripts and got this, “Your Tax Records Information is Unavailable at This Time
Return summary is currently unavailable” Does this mean I’m currently processing or something else?