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.
@Walter DOG: good morning and thank you.
@Walter DOG: Thank you!
@Chris: that’s the way it’s all ways been your return is frozen until path lifts trying to figure out why their pushing out this year your good
Top of the morning my peeps ,stop feeding these peoples ego that says their on Path and got refund it’s not possible period we go through this every year no staff shortages crap no one looks at your return it’s all done by computer unless the system puts a code on your transcript for a person to look at it like 570, 424 which turns into 420 so again it’s law and no one on Path slips through not possible thank you my peeps
So if my account transcript populated but didn’t fill out on Wednesday will I not update again till next Wednesday? It has an as of date but also says no return filed.
Im confused. Lat week my transcripts updated to all good codes and I also have the PATH message on WMR. But why would my transcripts still have the As of Date 2-10? I have seen some other people like this also so Im just curious as to why it never pushed out like some others have?
@Miamimami: I can’t log into wmr but thanks friend I’m not sure how I got it early but it’s legit no sense in lying about it to all the haters who think I’m lying just say congrats and move on your time will come eventually :)
How do I check my transcripts?
I updated on transcripts yesterday
Account transcript good no bad codes
My wage transcript is still blank though does this mean anything. How long till it updates wage transcript
@Itsallforbills: thank you! lol why assume I’m lying just because you didn’t get yours early makes no sense
@Itsallforbills: ahh ok, thank you. That may be it. I paid TurboTax the $25 to get my money early and I went to check and it’s there! So the universe has smiled upon me and I am grateful. I wish the same for everyone!!
So… I filed my return 1/24/25 I was accepted immediately, transcript updated a week ago to as of date 1/17 but blank. Still nothing for account transcript. I do see an alert that says I need to verify before my return can be processed- however I have no record of letters or notices sent. WMR shows “we have received your refund and it is being processed” with tax topic 152… I’ve never had this happen before. Nothing changed for me this year. I’m hoping I dnt have to verify but if so why isn’t there record of notice on file?
@ItsmeMaria!: a lot of people with children are getting them early you may have been apart of a test batch or they may not be able to adhere to PATH due to staff shortages
Transcripts just updated with cycle codes, I do have EIC and CTC cycle date is 20250605 and ther other date said 02/24/2025
WMR page updated to the PATH ACT message. 1 bar.
@LV: it sucks to lie like that when we come here for truthful responses.
Hi everyone. I’ve followed this page for years now left comments here and there. Something happened this week that I need to share. I filed my taxes with TurboTax on Monday. I have dependents and got a small EIC credit and ATC. I’ve been weekly for about 8 years now so I expected nothing yesterday when I checked my transcripts. Yet my transcripts had been completed with the 846 code. This morning WMR has my refund approved with deposit date of 2/12. How? With PATH shouldn’t I have the message about release after 2/15? I’m not complaining just curious
@LV: congrats! My sister got hers as well do you usually get it early? Did your wmr update at all?
@David3: literally me laughing to the bank rn lol
If my tax topic 152 disappeared on WMR and only on 1 bar with no dd , does that mean there’s an issue?
@Ree: same same same! 😭
@LV: What’s your processing date? Are you weekly or daily? Do you have an early deposit bank? How many bars are you on?
@David3: LOL!!!
I filled on The 26th and was accepted on the 27th around 3.30 pm et.This is weird that I’m at 2nd bar this morning but my transcripts are not filled in yet.Its says no returned file.I don’t understand but it says 2nd bar with dd for the 12th
@LV: lol okay!
I’m a pather and I just got my refund I’m shocked & a little confused but I’m not complaining lol good luck to you all!
@Kj: There are income limits for Earned Income Credit. It is very low, so if you are single with zero dependents then the limit is $18,591 so if you make over that you will not get EIC. If you’re married with zero dependents then the limit is $25,511 so again if you make over that you will not qualify.
@mommy_3 I was wondering the same thing. I filed 1/24 and accepted the same day. Updated to as of date of 2/17 on the 31st. No movement since. WMR says still processing. Tt152 disappeared
@NYtaxwaiter: Unlike the irs, NY state updates through out the day at random times stopping at around 7pm, but it’s Monday-Friday. I have never seen it update in a weekend.
Transcripts just sitting at 2/17….no change. Wonder does this mean we will get pushed back at the next weekly transcript update OR do we possibly actually have a 2/17 processing date even though it’s a holiday???
My transcripts are blank my status is has been filed yet but I update to a messages Action required We received your return and sent you a letter requesting more information. Please respond by following the instructions in the letter. If you don’t respond, your refund amount could be changed. It may take 2-3 weeks for you to receive the letter. I’m confused on you request more information and haven’t ran me thru the system at this time
Correction : to not get eic
I’m also trying to figure how anyone
ISNT PATH ?? Because even if no dependents actc , then wouldn’t any worker still have Eic even if just a little bit because of working period ? I don’t understand what kind of income these non pathers have to get eic?????
I’m still trying to figure why I have all good codes but my as if date is still 2/10 and processing date is 2/17…
Then this morning I got an email from TT tax saying my refund advance can’t be paid until my return is accepted ??? I was accepted 1/21 and DIDNT EVEN APPLY FOR REFUND ADVANCE
I filed and accepted on 1/31 ..unable to see transcript.. I do know I am a weekly .. I have path credits and I usually update on Sat but no update for me .. wmr says we have received your tax return with my 152 tax topic .. I just find it weird I didn’t update like usual.. I’ll keep u updated .. any 1/31 in the same boat??
Path message updated today filed with Turbo tax on the 24th accepted the 25th transcripts updated yesterday s
I filed and accepted 1/30, no PATH. I thought WMR would update for me today but no such luck
@SJJ: Just checked my transcript this morning and happy to say my code on the EITC changed from 765 to 768.
@Introvert_taxtime: here’s hoping to that update on the transcripts. That’s what I’m hoping for too
@Introvert_taxtime: I filed and was accepted on the 31st. Transcripts filled out several days ago. I’m just waiting on the 846
I think when path lifts it doesn’t matter about daily or weekly’ only thing going on is 846. I think 846 will hit Sunday 2/16 for most all pathers.
@ErisedMai: ahhh okay makes sense. Well we still have to wait a week and a half. Let’s see how it goes.
@Sharmaine: me too congratulations the wait is over