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.
@Nita: ok so im looking at the right place then. ok good. i filed 2/3 and im a pather so hoping it update on sat this week and i get it next week.
@Hodlsworth: You already got accepted. Approved happens when they finish processing your return. While I did have a year where that happened two days later, it has only been one year.
@shelleybeanss: Typo on my part. Computer still works 24/7. It does not take holidays.
@Hodlsworth: approved or accepted?
@FaithInSC: Did you check this morning or is this your first time checking?
@Jenny04: u r looking in the right spot. It just haven’t posted to your file yet
I have a as of date Feb 10 and codes 150,806,766, and 768 and I’m a pather.
What does the as of date mean since we are passed Feb 10
All transcripts this afternoon with 846 date of 2/18/2025. All good codes.
Will my DD hit on 2/18?
@Sheila_33: Thank You. I already had a payment plan and have made a few payments. Did not know if they would go ahead and deduct what was owed or just not get a refund. I am still expecting a refund after deduction.
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: How do u see ur transcripts?? when i go to irs.gov and sign into my tax records it gives me my old taxes for the other years but for this year they have nothing available except it says no filing for 2024 taxes so i dont know where ur looking
@Hodlsworth: You just filed. What do you mean experiencing longer than normal wait times to be approved? The IRS says 21 days and you filed 2 days ago.
@MaryB: it falls on a Saturday. The 15th is a Saturday
@ntz4wanda: You can contest it and wait for a review of it or you can agree with it and they will take what is owed and release the balance if any.
@Hodlsworth: you’re worried after filing 48 hours ago? Wut
Is anyone experiencing longer wait times this year to be ‘Approved’ by the IRS? I have tax topic 152. I filed as single, and my son’s mother filed her own return, but she hasn’t been approved yet either. We both filed on the same day, February 10.
Just got a CP21A message on transcripts. I owe from 2022. Will this just be an offset or how does this actually work?
@Jenny04: I can see my transcripts but they blank j hope I update Friday with all good codes
5am this morning: All of my transcripts are now showing. Account transcript still blank with no codes, but have a cycle of 20250703 on the Record of Account Transcript.
Just checked 10 minutes ago: Account Transcript now has codes 150, 806, & 766.
Filed 1/31 no path.
@Bri306: The law says refunds that include PATH credits (EITC and ACTC) have to be held until February 15.
Some say because that falls on a Friday, and Monday is a holiday, that it will not lift until Tuesday the 18th. In that case, transcripts would update Tuesday, WMR Wednesday. No holds bank deposits could get as early as Tuesday.
This is a computer that works 24/7 though and I think (and believe it has happened in the past) it could happen sooner – especially for dailies. Some will disagree but I am CERTAIN this has happened before.
Longtime listener, first time caller! Lol. If it makes anyone feel better: filed 2/2 accepted same day…no movement of bars and no transcript movement yet aaaaand I’m not a pather this year. *Taps fingers impatiently* I swear I’m going to get a blister from checking my transcripts 428 times a day.
Do you have a date when Path accounts will be released yet? For some reason I can’t view older comments so sorry if already been asked.
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: ya I do @Mommy_3: I can view my trans but it says no trans yet
@LoveMy3Munchkins: Maybe its just a step in the process. Fingers Crossed
@Please Help: Sounds like you may have a 12c ltr letter coming. Have you claimed any credits this year that may need verification?
Good evening all. I try to read comments first before I post just to make sure my question wasn’t asked and answered so I do see a few saying that they as of dates updated and then reverted back to the original as of dates. So no question for me just want to say my as of dates updated this morning to 3/3/25 and when I just check it reverted back to the original date which was 2/10/25
PLEASE HELP LOL Filed 2/3 and accepted same day. Transcripts have not updated yet, however, my state has been received because I can see my amount that I’m getting back Alabama just doesn’t start processing until March 1st. Anyone think i could see an update on the next transcript update? An when is the next one?
@Please help: sounds like might be id verify one way you can check google irs id verify online and try to verify if it says we’re unable to provide any assistance then maybe that’s not it but if it lets you you have to wait on letter for control number