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.
Good morning all. I woke up to the 846 code and a 2/12 date. I used TT and requested the 5 day early payout, which would technically be today, if that were the case? Right? But nothing in my account as of yet.
Still nothing. Transcripts are still blank 😫😫. I was a daily last year 0604 & weekly for 3 years before. Whyyyyyyyy
@MomOf3KY: Yes, they’re good codes. You’re just waiting for the PATH lift (if you claimed EIC), then you should be looking for 846
Can anyone help me? I just checked my transcript and got codes 150, 766 and 768.. are those good codes
Sorry, I just don’t understand them!
Do I have to wait for the letter to verify? I have an id.me account already and it says they can’t help me online. My first time ever having this issue. I’m confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated
@jessica68: You got a DDD for a Saturday? That must be something new.
@Divaalovee: how did you identify? I’m having issues doing it🤦
@jemar707: can this be rephrased? I’m not understanding the question 😕 sorry.
@Dentonj88: 2/17?
Anyone else having trouble with identification verification
Any fellow 20250505 still waiting on an update?
Those saying the first path DD date is going to be 24th’ I think the first path DD date will be much sooner than that!
No updates no changes guess its next friday for 846. Path
@Sheila_33: Goodmorning Sheila I spoke with Walter godbless him and you both please sheila can you please answer this question Walter answered already to me. I just want another opinion. I’m a weekly my as of date is still on February 17, 2025 and my processing date is on February 10, 2025 I been at this date since January 30th 2025 I’m a pather I have good codes 150 766 768 next to the processing date i have to pay tax $2,721 it’s coming out of my refund. 150 code then the processing date of February 10,,2025 and then that amount that is coming out of refund sheila any information will help me thankyou.
@JustAshe: Weeklies always have a Wednesday date unless there’s a holiday.
@MValley: Depending if you’re ACTC vs CTC….you might not be a Pather. All Pathers are frozen until Feb 15.
@MValley: Play too much…..
Just woke up to direct deposit of my federal in my chime account!!!! Pather so I wasn’t expecting anything for another 2 weeks at least! Accepted on 1/9/25 in an early batch. Fees paid upfront with TurboTax. See everyone next year!
I’m speaking in existence since I paid up front to get my taxes from My Valentine 💓😞. Only a girl can hope 😅😉
@Andrea not logged in: did you update with good codes and cycle again and 570 popped up is that what your saying happened I’m trying to understand you getting 570 or did 570 popped up say time other codes did
finally, DD 2/15! filed 1/24 and accepted same day through TT.
@Divaalovee: 570s are placed to keep the refund from going out, could be cause of the path act or being reviewed
Updated today, weekly, all good codes. I’m reading that DD day should be the 26th? Not the 24th?
@Divaalovee: 570 is a hold code .. you need a 571 to release the hold . ALOT of people in this update ended up with a 570
@Beth: Me too. Exact same thing. I was also wondering if direct deposit would come early
ALOT of 570’s showed up today on transcripts smh
Question…. My as of updated to 2/24 this morning and I got codes 150, 766 & 768 but I also got code 570. Does anyone know what that means ? I’m on the path walk so I knew it wouldn’t update to 846 just yet. Last year I had to ID Verify but I’m confused why I got code 570
@Relief2020: See! Something is off if you are a weekly Pather still sitting with 2/17…
@The 24 will be the first date set for direct deposits for the dailies who were on path. The 26 will be the second date for direct deposits for panthers who were weeklies: I’m weekly and my as of date now shows 24th everything was blank before today
@jemar707: that was my response