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.
@Bri: I used H&R Block. You? I finally got through to irs and they said I didn’t need to verify it’s just a matter of my transcripts updating. Here’s the number I called (800) 830-5084. They took time to look everything up and it was fast. I would suggest calling them and save a lot of stress
@Jennnyontheblah: did you claim any eic or cycle?
@Bri_843: I filed 1/22, Accepted 1/23 and my Transcript’s “Updated” to the blank ones last Friday. So it took one week. It’s early though, I’m sure you will next week if you didn’t today. Hang in there.
@Stever: how long were you on blank transcript before it updated? This is the 1st time ever mine was available but blank.
I updated from blank transcripts to all good codes today (Weekly). Previous years when I’ve received 424 it always happened on the first update. Is this always the case or can it still happen? Just trying to see if I can breath yet or not. Feels like the first time in many years the computer hasn’t flagged me.
@Walter DOG: yes exactly I had all good codes with my negative refund amount showing as a credit yesterday I cycled with new as of date 2/24 and the 570 0.00
@Monee: Would if I could!
Now I just have to not touch it for 2-3 weeks while I wait for state to come in so I can pay….. a bill! wahoo! :)
What does 20250506 mean?
@Black_Byrd (not logged in): mines just hit also cashapp
CHIME is on it this year. Got my 846 for 2/12 at 3 am CT and my deposit just now at 1150 am CT. 5 days early!
@HuntingtonBeachmomof4_notsignedin: Can you see what notice they sent you in your IRS online account? They might be looking at something on your 2022 taxes.
So frustrated! Still no update to my transcripts. Blank with 2/10 as of date. My 2022 transcripts also have 2/10 as of date with a 971 notice send as of date 2/10/2025. I have a 2nd cycle code on my 2022 transcript of 20250405. But still absolutely nothing on my 2024 transcripts.
Tried to log in to see if my transcript updated but it keeps telling me exceeded daily limit??? Only logged in 1 time…..so weird
GO BIRDS!!!!
@japakar: send some of that speedy refund dust over here. 🤣😂
So transcript is available today but blank so guess next Friday transcript will update
@Jennnyontheblah: buy a Starbucks iced Oatmeal chai and dedicate it to me. Lol.
@Tidd: if you are saying your transcripts updated with all zeroes and says no return filed at the bottom that is ok. It happens sometimes. If this is your first week seeing that, don’t worry. If it happens more than once, there could be a hold up. If by verify you mean the letter of verification of non-filing, ignore that. It will change once you process. If by verify you mean you have a notification to verify your tax return, that sounds like Id verify. I’m currently waiting to id verify and it’s not that bad it is just a long waiting game for the letter.
@Jennnyontheblah: Never mind it just hit my account. So for other Chime users it will hit the same day your transcripts update :)
@Tidd: what do you mean you need to verify? Where are you seeing that?
@japakar: which bank you used? Chime, cashapp, or regular bank?
@MomOf3KY: add the 766 and 768 then subtract the 150. That’s what you’re getting back
@Starchild1111: yeah exactly the what it says.
@batgirlpa: you will finish processing next week and receive a ddd then
@Tidd: your return has not finished processing and should update next week with a ddd…mine look same exact way
I need help on the irs.gov it’s saying I haven’t file a return which i did got accepted now it’s saying it has not been processed and may need be review if no letter sent out then they will push it through transcript shows all zeros and also saying no return has been filed. I have called the iRS office. and I was told that the return has nothing wrong with it. I do not need to verify so I hung up with that representative call back again because I know they be lying and she said the same thing that I do not need to verify I do not have a letter coming, so I’m a little confused on why my return is saying a return has not been filed and that I need to verify she said it’s just something new that they put on the Irs portal
I can see my transcript online now but there’s not a code 846. The date shows as 2/24 with the refund amount. Only codes are 150 and 806. Nothing updated on WMR-still one bar. Is this normal?
@LurkingFilerEST2018: I believe this is the first year neither of my kids qualified me for that. Ive been PATH every year but this year I believe.
It just makes no sense, this is way too fast =/
@japakar: Are you a path filer?
Filed Jan 29th, federal deposited this morning. Still at one bar on wheremyrefund. I am thinking something screwed up.
@DAL: GO BIRDS!!!!!! LETS HUNT!!!!!!!!!
@Mandie: Great to know! Makes life much easier and less stressful! LOL!
@Thor: For mine, it’s usually between 11am-noon CST.
@LurkingFilerEST2018: Yes, it was there last year. It was actually someone on here who said you could use that number to verify. I can’t remember who but it did work for me because my letter ended up coming *after* I verified and the number in the letter was that same 14 digit one.
Hi Guys,
Yay my transcripts updated and I have a DDD of 2/12. My question is for Chime users. I filed thru Chime and that’s where my deposit is going. Since they say it comes early does that mean I might get it today or Monday since I got the 846 code on my transcripts last night?
@Monee: I was on the facebook page for this site and someone indicated that the code under the 150 code was their code last year on the letter they received to verify. I honestly wouldn’t doubt it. I was curious if they realized the crazy they caused trying to get letters out and for some who never received the letter. Maybe just MAYBE they got smarter LOL!
@Grace Taylor: Offsets might now show up until later. You’ll want to call the offset hotline number (it’s on this page), and if it is an IRS debt, you’ll want to talk to them directly.
@Starchild1111: I have the path message and just one bar. The bar is above the message.
@Sheila_33: Thankyou
@LurkingFilerEST2018: it’s there each year. I wonder if that’s really the 14 digit code. Not that it matters bc my transcripts are blank. Lol
On a positive note…….
GO EAGLES!!!
Good morning! I have been a lurker for many years on this site! Last year I was one of the many “verify letter” filers. I also was one who’s verify message disappeared before my DD update. Thank GOD this year I haven’t received that notification on my account. I updated today from blank scripts to fully filled minus the 846. Which I know I wont receive until the 21st of Febuary. I see the 14 digit code located under my 150 code…I saw many people saying this is the code for verification. Was this 14 digit code there last year? I can’t recall, I am just curious! :-)
just recieved email from TT and GUESS WHAT its has the PATh message in the emaill instead of my WMR screen yes they all around the board this season but ill take it lol
@Curious Chris: The non-filing thing just means you’re still processing, I *just* updated from that this morning after being that way since 1/22. If you need to verify and since you have no filled in transcripts or codes, I would wait for the letter. But also keep checking to see if your transcripts fill in in the meantime.
@Curious Chris: mine the same way. Zero movement and wmr messge changed to still processing and a refund date when available. Who did you use and when were you accepted. I was accepted the 21st and filed the 16th with tax act.
@MomOf3KY: Hi you will be getting $ 5968.00
@Impatientlywaiting2025: same boat i still have 1 bar im a PATher and thres a bllank area in front of one line your processing line last year it was a paragraph n the bar dissapeared right?
@Mommy_3: We can all see it, but there’s no button to report it….and I’m ignoring it.