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.
IRS account page has all kinds of errors right now. When clicking transcripts it can’t seem to open them or it opens a plain white page with nothing at all. I think they’re still working on it
Top of the morning my peeps ,I read where the IRS is automatically sending out stimulus checks to those who never claimed or received one so since past transcripts as of dates have changed for some of you I am thinking that could be why system checking see if you gotten the stimulus checks
As a matter of fact I don’t if any 2/17 had As Of 2/24….mine was always 2/10 until today.
I wanna say it happened last year
Last year I noticed they did the same thing on my previous tax years as of date and then after the next update it snapped back to there original as of dates. Its like the system is going through your past returns to see if anything is owed or any missed credits and after it’s done it snaps back to its original as of date for that year .
@Buckey12: Good question! Are there ANY 2/17 folks that have As Of 2/24 or did everyone change to 03/03??? Mind you some just may not have updated just yet.
@Buckey12: I am in the test batch. I updated with all good codes as date of 2/10 Processing date of 2/17 this morning it changed to 3/3 With the same processing date 2/17 I still have all good codes with path message and T152
Just checked my transcripts. My “As Of” date changed from 2/10 to 03/03. Processing date stayed the at 02/17. hmmmmm
@Stephennotsignedin: Sounds like it’s happening to most everyone. And I’d rather they check their software now than next week when it’s craziness
@Buckey12: So I am not in either but I was definitely test batch.
I had an as of 2/10.
I went straight to good codes and populated transcripts. I never had zeros.
But today, about an hour ago, I changed to 3/3.
@Sheila_33: I checked all my account transcripts for the past 5 years and they all have the as of date 2.24.25
Same thing happens every year. It’s like a system update. I wouldn’t stress about it.
@All you need is love.: yep. You’re right all prior trans have 03/03… interesting
@Sheila_33:soni checked all my account transcripts and they all have the as of date Feb 24 2025
I’m curious about two groups I’m seeing from those who were accepted in a test batch before the official opening:
How many of you updated to good codes a few weeks ago and have processing date of 2/17 and as-of date of 2/24?
How many of you updated to good codes a few weeks ago and have processing date of 2/17 but changed as-of date to 3/3 within the last week or so and no additional codes?