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.
@ceeteeeee: try to view efile details in turbotax if Received by IRS info has been updated. for me, filed 1/8, received by irs 1/15, wmr updated one bar 1/16. as of right now, turbotax stuck in pending status and not showing accepted.. which is unusua 🤔
Correction: Tax season
Hello, everyone, and welcome to season 2025. My question is, why file so early, knowing we won’t receive our refund until after Feb. 15th? Also, I’m hoping we don’t have to do any verification like last year.
possibly TT system is waiting to receive transmittal confirmation to show accepted or a system glitch. WMR confirms received and accepted at one bar, yet TT is stuck in pending status.
btw, if you sign into your irs account, there are new features where you can view refund status, audit status, transcripts etc.
Just filed today 1/17/2025 via TaxAct-Single, Non-Path single W2 and 1 W-2 G form, was accepted within an hour later by the IRS-at 1 Bar status!
Federal return accepted today. Filed with TT. One bar showing on WMR, with tax topic 152. Let the waiting game begin.
filed 1/9 TT Panther with ADVANCE – still pending on TT and wmr says info is entered wrong … i logged in to my account with irs and nothing filed yet …hmmmmmm
Just had to call still can’t check the WMR but they have received my tax return and TurboTax still says pending
I have been following this site for years for all of its wisdom! I have the one bar on the wmr. Turbo tax still saying pending. I files on the 8th but fed shows “processing” as of the 15. Doesn’t say accepted on any of the sites though. Transcripts/account isn’t showing anything yet either. Let the waiting begin!
@mnwilliams: Does the email say how long before getting the funds?
Congrats….
By the way TurboTax is still showing pending.
Hey everyone. Back again this year. I filed with TurboTax January 15th. I was accepted today.
Filed on the 15th with TT. Checked irs2go and it said return accepted. Idk if I was accepted today or in between the 15th because TT said still pending so reading you guys comments made me check out the app and I have tax topic also a Pather so I’m in it for the long haul. Happy tax season to all my returning families over the years ;)
@mnwilliams: Congrats! When did you file?
Correction I actually did get my advance I didn’t see that email the first time.
@Dentonj88: I’ve seen very few if any update on the weekend, but with the IRS you never know. Tuesday would most likely be your next chance if you’re not accepted today.
Hi I filed this morning and got approved for a refund available loan going to my chime account. Any chance it will hit tonight or will I have to wait until Tuesday? Thanks for any help.
Finally accepted about 10 minutes ago. I didn’t get the text but saw the email from TT. No advance yet tho. LET THE GAMES BEGINNN. lol
@Bri306: If you’re showing on the Wmr, then your return has been accepted. Tax software update may be running behind.
Filed TT 1/16. Return Accepted on IRS app today around noon. TT still says pending.
@ebbyeb69: On your 2024? Any codes on that transcript if it is the 2024?
@ebbyeb69: ^have an as of date of 1/13/2025
@Sheila_33: I have a house of the January 13th 2025 is that good?
@Kris. I read your comment and I did the same thing! WMR shows the same as you! I got the TT advance and it hasn’t come through yet though! Last year I was accepted on Jan 18th. I got the advance deposited the same day! Something isn’t working correctly.
Refresh my memory…if wmr shows return received & processing, does that mean it was accepted or is that next step?
I got accepted last year on the 18th. I was really hoping to get accepted today, but it doesn’t look like I’ll get lucky. TT weekly PATHER with advance :(
I just checked WMR for the heck of it and I have one bar! My TurboTax has not been updated that it’s been accepted, but I have the below – so it seems IRS is accepting even if software hasn’t updated
We have received your tax return and it is being processed.
If you filed a complete and accurate tax return, your refund should be issued within 21 days of the received date. However, processing may take longer under certain circumstances.
Please check here or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go, to check on your refund status.
Anybody know if – w/ there being a holiday on Monday – it my return doesn’t get accepted today, could it still get accepted over the weekend, or will it likely not update till Tuesday?
@Walter DOG: same just got accepted also ! Yay!
Hey y’all I filed on the Jan 15 with free taxusa my federal return was just accepted today!
the 6 wk march to March…hows the test batchin
@Sheila_33: I use Free Tax USA and mine was accepted today to do it looks like certain software is getting accepted