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.
Hello taxy people!
So I just checked my tax transcript and noticed code 765 next to the EITC. I have never had that in the many years of claiming the credit. I did start getting SSDI, but last year I did still get disability through NY Life I had through my employer before I was approved for SSDI. My question is does that code ever get reversed? Thanks
anyone know how often the NY state updates. I know a bunch of people got DDD yesterday. wondering if there might be any tonight or tomorrow/
@Sheila_33: Hey Sheila hope your better been trying to hook up with you this years transcript is acting different the as of dates on mine and others have been changing from 2-10 to 2-17 and I’m weekly and mine changed from 2-17 to 2-24 on Wednesday and someone on here there’s changed and was done with good codes and then later 570 was added what you think
Has anyone that filed and accepted 1/31 have any updates?
For anyone that has to id verify, if you didn’t receive a letter, where are you looking to see that you do have to id verify? Just want to make sure I’m not overlooking any websites besides my tax account, transcripts and wmr.
Are they done processing weeklies for this week? I swear I remember it going through the late night a few years back.
@Zombie girl: same situation for me. I filed on the 30th as well. At least you know you’re not alone. Try not to worry much.
@VA757pather: Oh no. I’m so sorry. It’s just a sickening feeling when you are thinking it is coming. 💙
@Txlady: It won’t release until the date it says even though it’s funded
Woke up to a filled out tax transcript with 570 code.
No code 971. SSA barely started showing my income last Friday morning but irs doesn’t have my income as of yet according to the wage transcript.
Filled and accepted 1/17
I just want to say that I love this site and look forward to commiserating with everyone while we walk the PATH. Year after year, you all make this time a little easier. We have all learned so much from each other and those really knowledgeable ppl that help guide us. So grateful and wishing speedy $$$$$ to everyone. 💙
@bluemoon09: how did you verify without the letter? Any specifics you care to share. I have ID verify as well but I was told yesterday it has to be 21 days before they can see anything.
@Steve:https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-cycle-code/
What does 20250506 mean? Thanks
What is the Processing Date?
The IMF system will generate the Processing Date automatically and add it to a tax transcript as soon as the processing stage begins. It represents a default date when the IRS expects to finish processing a tax return and approve a refund.
As a result, the Processing Date will be three weeks after the date when a tax return has entered the IMF system.
The Processing Date will change if the IRS cannot process a tax return in three weeks.
Hope this will ease a few 😁!! Have a lovely weekend y’all!!
Hey everyone new here! I filed and was accepted Jan 30, about 7:40 pm. Still no transcripts, the last couple of years I already would have them. Same filing as every year, married joint and with 1 dependent so no path. I thought for sure I’d have an update for something today but nada. Still has that letter of non filing on my transcript page for 2024, with all
Previous years. Anyway, how are all y’all doing today?? Happy Friday!
Researched some topics:
The ‘as of’ date on transcript 2025 refers to the date on which your tax balance or refund balance due to interest and penalties were calculated.
The ‘as of’ date on your tax account transcript may be automatically updated by the system when an update or change is made within your account to extend the deadline.
I Just id verified on the phone . i didn’t have to wait on a letter due to i live in fl. so now just waiting to finally process.
@Walter DOG: It’s just a waiting game now. Sucks that we have to wait next Friday now, or I think after that. This PATH Act is horrible. LOL..
Hi. I am just curious if anyone that chose the new 5 day option with Turbo tax has actually received their return early?
Hello all pulling my information to the top!
Pather
Cycle 20250505
Processing date 2/17/2025
As of date went from 02/17/25 to 2/24/25-mid week
Transcripts populated to all good code last Friday
I did not receive code 570 like other weeklies, just remained at all good code before 846.
@Mbry0625: if you didn’t have fees it should hit today
@EricaChristyne: makes a big difference usually when you update with good codes your return is frozen until the 15th when path lifts so getting 570 after you updated would of been out of the normal but these as of dates changing has me boggled
@Benita: filed 01/24 accepted 1/25
NY state Direct Deposit date updated today 2/10 IRS transcripts updated through out the night all good codes
Date changed from 2/17 to 2/24
Transcript codes/Lingo
150= Tax Return Filed
806= W-2 or 1099 withholding
766= Credit to account
768= Earned income credit
(846) Refund “When ISSUED”
@Tia: Mine still says no return filed even though the account transcripts filled out
@bluemoon09: I didn’t get any new code after my 570/971 until mid-April unfortunately. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that’ll be the case for you. Last year seemed like a weird tax year for a lot of us honestly.
@Walter DOG: No, it updated all together with the 570, why?
My transcripts finally filled it! If I remember right, I switched to daily last year when I filed for the first time as married filing joint. But I could be wrong. I also thought the only people who update on Thursday nights were weeklies. Anyway, noe that my transcripts, though blank, have filled in, should I anticipate a ddd next Friday? I’m not a pather
Whe. Does wage and income transcript fill out?
Hey yall! Long time lurker, some time poster!!
I’ve been patiently waiting because I wasn’t in the test batch this year. I actually just got my refund in November from 2020 because of a test batch screw up 🤣 I have been in test batch every year so glad to not be.
@OhioLurker: Same thing happened with me too last year.
Hello everyone. I finally received 846 for my 2023 taxes. It says 2/5 which was wednesday and its now friday. WMR says if its not there by 2/10 call my bank. Does anyone have a direct number I can call to check where they issued my refund? It should have been there by now.
I can finally see my transcripts – all have updated to 2/24/25 date. Where are the codes that everyone is mentioning? I don’t know where to look for the codes…please anyone with knowledge can answer. Thanks in advance.