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 everyone! Filed on 1/27 accepted same day. As of date is 2/17 but transcript is blank. Should I be worried. Seems like something should be filled out by now, some codes or something 😩😩😩.
@Fabfammamma: I recived the same and updated 1 week later.No worries yet..give it a litter more time
Go Birds 🦅
@Honeybee82: I said this same comment a few days ago! I do trust trends and yes things have changed since 2020 but i think it’s a good hypothesis! Let’s see in a week!
@Walter DOG:
Thanks for this!! I’m usually a daily but nothing on transcripts other than as of 2/24.
Top of the evening my peeps hope everyone is having a great Super Bowl Sunday but in all things Praise be to God no stressing it’s going to be ok transcripts are acting a little weird this year but not to much out the normal major update Tuesday night and Friday morning
My tax return is successfull February 11, 2025 deposit of $8,470 is successfull right now! This is what i intended and manifested. My bills are all paid in full.
My transcript says processing date for 2/24.. also WMR is on 1 bar and I have PATH message. Is that a good sign?
@jnajera: getting that message before transcript has updated with codes is weird usually get 570 code for review so I would assume it’s related to income (w2 or 1099) most likely being this early and haven’t updated but not 100 percent sure my most logical guess
@jnajera: if your transcript hasn’t upda
@jnajera: i have the same message. Ive never seen that before.
@GirlfromNY.: a lot has definitely changed, but unfortunately the law is still the same. According to the Path Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds until mid-February….and when they say “issue”, they mean process with the 846 release code. The law prohibits them from processing and releasing funds before the 15th, and the 846 means they’ve officially been released. I switched to a daily this year, so I’ll know for sure by Wednesday if we all get lucky and start seeing those 846 codes. As much as I’m hoping it’ll happen, I don’t think we’ll be that lucky lol 😄
@Impatientlywaiting2025: that’s normal message no worries
@DobbyDo123: what’s your codes on transcript that tell me more about the review message on wmr
@Impatientlywaiting2025: I got that message too. What does it mean ?
@DobbyDo123: also, you can call the offset line and it will give you the amounts if you don’t have that information
@Kla4806: not even then, just worry if they say you are being audited!!!!