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 âqueueâ 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.
Thatâs 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 donât have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your moneyâs 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.
@Tigerlili_1: Hey nice to see you ,yea good to go but you know past years the as of date stay frozen first week transcript updated with 000 and nothing else but as of 2-10 the next week updated with good codes (path) then in middle of week changed to 2-24 and yes Iâm weekly but many others did the same in past would of been frozen at 2-10 just trying to make since of it
@Harris: Were you also the one who went straight to populated transcripts and good codes (never showed zeros)? If so, we mustâve been in same test batch because mine would be identical. Within a week of being accepted I was already just waiting on the lift. Definitely not complaining.
@Harris: tax topic 152. The only change is my account balance on IRS.gov shows 0.00 as of this morning. Before was showing N/A.
@Mommy_3: i think it will be that and we get it 22 o 24
Just a update on my status. Still “as of” and processing date for 2/10. All good codes. Path message, one bar, and tax topic 1
@Mina Mina: WMR can update any day/time for acceptances (received). Many update Wednesday and Saturday only because they are weekly processors, some dailies see updates other mornings.
Finally filed today.
I have a new dependent and two others that we were concerned about someone else claiming. The fact I got one bar is an assurance that has not happened, correct?
@Walter DOG: We’re weekly..or have been for 14 years..but have As of 2/17 our only codes are the basic 152 and 766
@Mommy_3: Happy Tax season. We too have As of 2/17
So, us weeklies who have fully filled scripts minus the 846…won’t update at all friday? we will update next friday the 21st for DDD the following week of the 23rd? Am I right?
Accepted 1/17
Path 05 Weekly
As of date is 2/17 now going on 2 weeks
All good codes with Path message one bar
@DWAH: wage transcript typically doesnât update for a few months after return processed
My question, has anyone’s wages updated on IRS? Mine did on ssa but not it’s.
@Kj: it’s not a silent hold.
Hello, I have codes 766 and 768 with the date of 4/15/25 next to them. What does this mean?
@Kj: you should get a person. When you get the automated voice that says “in a few words tell me why you’re calling” say account error.
Manifested Tax return approved february 11,2025 shakira franco $8,470 sbtg funded netspend account 2803
@cmaine: hey what state u in and what was ur DDD for state?I’m still waiting on my state.
@Jocelynn:
Ima weekly with 2-10 & 2-17 but your a daily with 2-10 maybe youâll see an update tonite into tmrw ?
Let us 2-10ers know đ!!
@Jocelynn:
Same here
Got my state refund today. On the PATH for the federal. The season continues.
@Monee:
Hi how did y get ahold of someone when I called last week twice I push the prompts to get to a rep and it goes silent for like 30-40 minutes and I just hang up so I didnât know if there hold was a silent hold now ??
I tried to call twice today to verify my identity. Both times I was told the irs didn’t start processing until the 27th so I just said thank you and hung up. I’m not debating this today.
@Kla4806: i had that message once and they were fixing an error. It went really fast.
Anyone in VA that have a state DDD for Feb 14 see there refund hit yet??
@DanInTX: I’m a 03 this year and was usually a 05 weekly for years.
@Jocelynn: I had as of date 2/17 .. path message currently all good codes .. this past week updated to as of date 2/24/25 Iâm weekly
@amgele: Iâve not seen it. I definitely donât want to give the wrong answer so Iâd defer to @Shelia_33 who may know better but I suspect itâs probably not.
I wouldnât stress, though. Itâs highly unlikely. The computers do a lot of the work (a person rarely does) and put the codes in. The codes signal what to do from there. Our codes are just waiting for the lift which will signal for the 846. I probably could explain that better but no idea how. đ
@Kim: it most likely is ID VERIFY
@Tab: so we are all lying? For what reason? I hope you have a great day too. Iâm simply telling the truth. Sorry youâre exhausted.
@Tab: Can any other codes come in before 846?
@Tab: Can any other codes come in before 86?