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.
@Eriona: š«¶š½
Y’all be having me worried about TT….they’re my bestie lol. Before I started having kids I made the mistake of claiming someone else kids. Got audited. Started doing my own taxes through TT. Then I became self employed. I pay waaaay less to prepare my taxes through TT but I guess if it’s just a simple file other options are available. I’ve also used them for well over 10 years
@Eriona: I used Turbo for years and then switched to Freetax about 8 years ago. No issues.
@Kebee: Thank you.
@Eriona: don’t think they care how they’re prepared as long as they are prepared.
Good morning Friends hereās to another tax season hopefully we all have a smooth time this year
Hello everyone, I have a question….if I’ve been using TT and now want to swqitch to freetax will that throw a red flag to the irs? Im scared bc I been using TT for 10 plus years but Im tired of paying these high fees for my simple tax return.
@Starchild1111: Gm. Iām in the same boat. I initially filed 1/7/25 and. Was told by my tax preparer I was rejected because they needed my ip pin. So I id me and found my ip PIN number and now she had to resubmit my return. Just waiting now to see if they will accept this time. Praying for us all this year for things to go smoothly. I was also one who received my tax return last year 2/22. šš¾
gm i See its taking longer this year to get accepted i filed with TT 1/16
i had to enter an IP PIN
now im awaiting for approval ive been up here for years i see lot of familiar names i dont remember what my name was but hope we have smooth sailing this tax season
-Im a PATHer last season n few before that i saw DDD 2/22 so praying for that 846 code to pop lol
@Wondering2025: found this on the irs site. 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
@Wondering2025: I believe the eitc falls under path and path refunds arenāt released before mid February
I decided to opt in to get my refund 5 days sooner with turbo tax. Has some unexpected emergencies so I really need it. My question is, if I have the CTC and EIC, how early would I get it?
Used OLT to submit mine on Thursday Jan 16th. The IRS2GO app already shows my return as Received. (Checked it today, Sat Jan 18th)
No confirmation email from OLT yet. lol
The tax season is about to get busy in a week or two, so if you want to be able to view your tax account online and track the progress of your return you might consider signing up for an online account with the IRS. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/new-identity-verification-process-to-access-certain-irs-online-tools-and-services
I’m liking the new format, in my opinion, a much more informative layout.
@lori1985: check WMR.
@wade123: A test batch is a randomly selected amount of returns that are sent thru the IRS systems to make sure everything is working correctly. Most likely, if you were accepted last week, you’ll be sent thru to process this coming week and we may see transcripts updating. If all goes smoothly, some without path credits may see their refund dates. Some with path credits may see their transcripts update with codes w/o the 846 because of the c freeze.
I did my taxes with TurboTax on the 15th, still says pending. First time in several years it wasn’t immediately accepted in a test batch. I’m not too worried. None of our work or family history has changed in 10+ years plus I’m a pather.
@Sheila_33: thank you! I’m really hoping to see some updates Tuesday (assuming nothing happens over the weekend)
@Sheila_33: What is a test batch? I filed on the 17th. IRS accepted and WMR says they received it, and it is being processed. I am on the PATH