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 can Someone help me with this
Your taxes is still being processed what does that mean I am not a pather
I got an 846 code of 2/14/2025, as of date of 3/3. Filed 2/9 accepted same day. I havent been able to access WMR at all. It says that i have exceeded the amount of daily attempts. My son has been able to access it, but only a few times. His mostly says that WMR is not available. He file 2/9 and was accepted 2/9. But his hasnt updated. Any idea why?
@RuthBaby: Me too. 🤞
@DebMom: EITC only.
@Annieboo: same here. I’m hoping to see some kind of movement 🙏🏿
Good morning y’all! 🤞🏿🤞🏿 cause I haven’t had any movement on my transcripts & WMR is still on 1st bar. Although, I always get my refund by the time WMR updates. So I don’t really pay attention to WMR. Those transcripts with those codes are what’s important in my book. At this point I’m not seeing any codes 😬😬
@Annieboo: EITC or ACTC?
Has anybody in Kentucky gotten their tax refund yet for state of course?
Only code 150 and 768.. ugh.. no movement
I give up! Filed 01/31 TT accepted same day. Been a daily for 3 years. Transcripts still 0.00, as of date 02/24. WMR still says “it’s still being processed” tax topic 152. Absolutely no movement at all. There are no notices or letters in my IRS account online.
Anybody else in the same boat? Not sure what’s going on. This is the first time I’ve ever been delayed. No new significant changes.
Grapevine Announcement 🍇
Please help other users by sharing our FAQs as things get busier over the next few days.
https://igotmyrefund.com/faq/
Also….. when I was looking up info on expected path lifted and first path pay outs….: multiple websites say first DDD’s will be 2-17 that is also the date next to cycle codes on many of our transcripts. You might disagree but I’m hopeful that even tho Monday is a holiday. Will see 846’s on 2.17
Looking back at my acct. my refund hit my bank 2.16 last year. The path lifted and got my refund same day. Wondering how quickly 846 will go out. Sucks it lands on a Saturday. Would be nice if they updated and made it automatically go out for those who were already processed completely. Wishful thinking 🤔
Well no update here transcripts still blank and before I go into them I’m told records unavailable. Maybe Friday lol. Going to bed. Happy refunding y’all
Also, I filed on 1/30
Accepted 1/30
@DebMom: no not yet! Earlier today, there were only 3 transcripts available and 1 had the “non-filing” status. When I recently checked, it’s now gone and all 4 transcripts have populated. I’ll be on a short path journey soon.. lol
@TXBAMA: any 846 or are you on path?
@TXBAMA: congrats on becoming a daily.
@shelleybeanss: oh ok thanks hun!
Hope for ddd soon… pather here
Ok, I just checked my transcripts and there’s been some movement. All my transcripts are now available. I can see my cycle code which is now 02 instead of 05(I’ve been weekly for years).
@BeeBee40: if you’re using the same user name you should scroll to the bottom of this page to search old comments. When you get the the search field put in your user name and it will show all ur past comments and replies.
@TXBAMA: after 3am tonight that’s when they start
@DebMom: ok, thank you for responding 🙂