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 āqueueā 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.
Thatās 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 donāt have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your moneyās 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.
@Impatientlywaiting2025:
It means you need to do ID Verify, I have the same message and when I logged onto to check my transcripts, I had a message that I need to do ID Verify.
@Stephennotsignedin: ion know every year i see the 570 code its actually a normal code to see right when PATh freeze begins for me and never changed up on my transcripts
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/when-to-expect-your-refund-if-you-claimed-the-earned-income-tax-credit-or-additional-child-tax-credit
The child tax credit doesnāt put you on the āpathā. The additional child tax credit does for low income
Filed 2/3 1 child college credit approved bar and ddd 2-12-25
@Kaye_sdcali: I have 1 child college credits ddd of 2-12-25 as well
@Kaye_sdcali: I would assume youāre not on path. The child credit doesnāt put you on path necessarily.
@froglover7m4: thanks..
Still no movement for me. Iām hoping transcripts will fill out by Tuesday morning.
@Walter DOG: thank you!
@Kaye_sdcali: filed via TURBOTAX
@Stefblaze: Yes. I’m getting nervous now. Filed the 1/24, accepted 1/27. Transcripts are still blank. I’m like š¬š¬
Im a pather, 2 kids.. college credit..
Filed and Accepted 2/05/2025
DDD – 2/12//2025
@Jellybean: Friday morning
What days do weeklies update on transcripts?
@Impatientlywaiting2025: what does your transcripts say any codes gave they populated make sure itās not Iād verify google IRS ID Verification online and go through the steps if it says caināt provide assistance itās not id verify if it lets you then thatās what the message is for if not then you probably just got to cycle through again
@Monee:I meant there credit imputed incorrectly or withholding off or wages was put in wrong that’s what I’m seeing people say about there 570 I’m not stressing it bc what will be will be God will come through when I need him to. I’m just trying to help others who have this code and I also seem people get 570 and by there next update they got 571 with 846
@Monee: thank you. Yea the ones in seeing with the 570 have it bc they just realized there withholding was off or there wages was off or some credit was calculated correctly and was invited wrong
I need the little bit of coins I am gettingš
@Deano: I hope so! It’s just that that’s a holiday. I’m with you lol.
@Mrs.Navarro0823: I filed same day as you and accepted same day the 3rd as well. Everything you said is the same with me..
Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions.
What does this mean???
@Stephen: your good to go those are the path codes and just waiting on 846 when path lifts
All Path act will not get released
Until 02/17/ most likely see DDD
02/18 thru 02/21 if no issues with return all good codes last year I received my refund on 02/16 around 2pm as of date 02/17
Process date 02/17 this year š
Path lift is the 02/17 look it up for your self Google
Filed 1/29 accepted same day, blank transcripts with processing 2-17 and blank as of 2/24 anyone else? Wmr stuck on accepted
768 is EITC
@Maggie t: You’re a daily Pather with Processing date on 2/24. I think it means, depending on your bank you could see your refund sometime the week of the 17th. I think!
@Afraz: @Afraz: Everything should be fine with the PATH message. If still is being processed then you not ready to go.
@Stephen: after doing some digging it seems like the 570 means they are trying to verify something and can reverse pretty fast. Mostly I have seen that something was different between what is on tax return and what was reported to irs. I don’t think you have to worry about getting that code. You should be good.
@Maggie t: Anyone can help by answering