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.
When I filled I put Sutton Bank instead of Cash App will it still be deposited or what will happen, I know they are the bank for Cash App nervous now
@MaryB: Your state works fast in getting refunds to you. North Carolina is the slowest state. File back is Jan and it is still saying my return has not been processed and we got to go through 7 stages. Ridiculous.
By the way, I will check in a bit for comparison sake but one thing I noticed in the past was that if I check my husband’s transcript (he is primary on the joint return) and my transcript, they did not reflect the same information. His had minor updates before mine. So if you filed a joint return, check both.
I filed on Monday (10th) and was accepted by federal immediately.
State (SC) showed nothing on the WMR tool until Wednesday (12th) night and immediately jumped to step 4/5. Checking my state DOR account though I could see the amount of refund as a credit on Tuesday (at the latest), by Wednesday it had zeroed out (meaning was sent).
As for federal, 2024 is now available for account transcript as of Thursday (13th) morning, though not filled out. It has an “as of March 03” date at this time. It was previously not available. Return transcript still has the non-filing verification.
@Honeybee82: Meant the 19th and the 21st.
@Morris: Meant the 19th and 21th
@Honeybee82: You were right last year about when I will update and I believe you now saying the 1st and the 21st.
Hey all. Just checking in to say it seems like everything is moving along alot faster than last year. Fingers crossed for things to continue to run smooth. I’ll be checking back after path lifts, to see those pending deposits. 🧚♀️🧚🧚♀️✨️✨️✨️ sprinkling positive vibes and updates to us all!
@Lolee143: I was wondering the same thing I’m weekly and wasn’t expecting any movement but I’m glad I checked my processing date stayed at 2/24
My as of changed from 02/24 to 03/03 whhhyy lol
Hello I have a question I just updated to a date for my state taxes my date is 02/19/24 will I get it on that day or before that day
@🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️: I said the IRS websites says mid February(nothing about the 15th) If you ask google it’s says After February 14th. That’s what I said lol. You think whatever you wanna think.
@Wastategirl22: google does not dictate the law lol the law is stated as such. The law when passed states no time before the 15th. Either way everyone is stuck waiting.
Filed 2/10 still not accepted and I’m using turbo tax and have been for years? Usually accepted or rejected in 10 minutes
Well my transcripts FINALLY updated. Just waiting on the 846
@Keishalove33: Hi and also follow the directions on the letter so you can call the number on that letter to id verify on the phone it has a specific number to use to id verify.
@Ashleyyvonne: Goodmorning you have to id verify and order to finish the processing of your tax return wait for your letter in the mail hope this helps
Just wondering if you have any information on this process I just got on the IRS website. Never had anything like this before. I sent images to messenger on FB. It’s some kind of verification of return and they want the 14 digit code from a letter they sent
@Mommymonni3: Hi did you sign up for the 5 days early refund for $25 dollars coming from your refund from turbo tax if so and like myself and many others sbtpg website will say account unavailable that’s because cross river bank is the routing turbo tax uses for the 5 days early refund hope this information helps but your money is going to cross river bank if you chose the 5 days early.
@FloridaMotherof3: it means you’re not processed yet
@Gorillamom4: I shared this already
@Gorillamom4: It states “by”. It will happen before then for the majority.
Directly from the IRS.gov website as of 1-27-25:
Under the federal Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) refunds before mid-February. Where’s My Refund? should show an updated status by February 22 for most early EITC/ACTC filers. The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by March 3 if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.
It stats that WMR will change on Feb. 22 so we will be looking at seeing changes next week
@Lisha: I’m curious you weren’t once a McCullar were you? I’ve only ever known one lady named Lisha lol
@Chigirl0301: I filed and got accepted same day. Transcript all zeros , no record of return filed. But at one point the as of date was 2/18 (I think), it turned 2/24 a day later. No movement since then.
@Lisha: disregard. It started working; must’ve been a hiccup
Anybody go to access their transcript and it says this “The system has encountered an unrecoverable error processing Transaction 107448532620 – 1.
We apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause.
Please try again later or contact the IRs.”
What does a 2024 Verification of Non-Filing Letter mean when I try to look at my tranny?
Anyone else trying to log in and it’s saying transcripts unavailable at this time,?? I hope that means it’s updating!!!
@Umm: Transcripts update Thursday night into Friday for weeklies, it’s WMR that updates on Saturdays. President’s Day always falls on the week after Path lifts, but this year is different with the 15th being on a Saturday. The law prohibits the system from releasing the 846 code before the 15th, & since that’s on a Saturday this year, they will not officially begin processing until the first business day after the 15th….which is the 18th. Dailies will see their 846 on the 19th & weeklies will see it on the 21st. I know people have different opinions about the dates, but I think that’s exactly how it’s going to play out. I switched to a daily this year, so I’ll know for sure by Wednesday morning if I’m wrong or right.
@Honeybee82: I have fees taking out unfortunately and i have a NHB tho so ill probably get mine the week of the 24th, u think?
@JAYY:
No problem
@Umm: @Umm: it actually says mid February not the 15th on the website and actually if you Google it this year, it actually says February 14
@Sheila_33: The only credits I have is market health. Which I have had for a couple of years. Never had an issue before.
@Str8Nervous: I filed 1/24, accepted 1/27, as of date 2/17, all zeros still, no codes have been generated on my transcripts, nothing has been filled in. At this point I’m like what the heck
@Eriona: thank you so much for answering my question! You’re greatly appreciated!!!
@texasmomof3: thank you so much for answering my question! Greatly appreciate it!! I was unsure.
State refund update, VA state refund just hit on chime finally. Now only thing left is this path act until next Friday. Good night everyone and good luck with direct deposits. I’ll be back on here to update when I receive my federal after path act.
@Honeybee82: the system updates Friday into Saturday so most of the patchers should see a ddd date on their transcripts on the 15th. Happened last year too. Presidents’ Day always falls on the week after path lifts and fathers get the ddd for later in the week that Presidents’ Day falls on. Been like that since path has became a thing.
@Tawana.L: by LAW the PATH act lifts on the 15th not before that day. It states this clearly within the law itself. I can still lift on Saturday and you should see a DDD the week of the 17th.