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.
@Nc Still waiting: Most likely.
@Sheila_33: 150, 766 and 768 are my codes and in past years I was a weekly updater now I am a daily updater and that’s the first time for me. All my past transcripts have the same codes, minus the 846. I feel like everything is OK, just anxiety.
@PlzUpdate: Does it have all good codes just waiting on the freeze to lift? If so, you may not see another transcript update until the 19th after you process on the 18th.
So if my transcripts updated with what my return money I’m getting back and at the bottom it’s show my credits that add up to my full return just no code 846. Does that mean I’m finished ? Just waiting for path to lift
@Sheila_33: so if we haven’t seen any movement on transcripts should we be worried? I am a 04 on cycle code I thought for sure I’d see something on my transcript today.
@PlzUpdate: I’m not expecting to see transcript updates until the 19th. That is how we think it may go anyway.
So, does anyone expect to see 846 on transcripts for Pathers before Monday? Even those accepted in the test batches?
@Honeybee82: This happens every year since path started. The IRS systems are gonna follow the manual.
@Wasstategirl22: actually the Path Act law states “after” February 14th. What comes after the 14th….the 15th. By all means, get snarky if it makes you feel better about yourself. If anyone on Path updates with their 846 before the 19th, you can let me know I’m wrong. Otherwise……we’ll see.
@Derek5248: what was your orginal message Derek on your account? I’m still waiting for a letter and my account hasn’t changed at all.
@Honeybee82: lol it’s so funny how you keep saying the law lol
Even tho multiple people have explained “the law” says mid February. Does not say February 15th. 🤷🏻♀️ JS
@Sheila_33: thank you for this, Sheila! Some people seem to be very adamant that the system will automatically begin processing refunds before the 18th, but I especially noticed the part where it says: “if February 15th falls on a weekend, modules processed daily systematically release on the following business day”. So no one will update ‘before’ or even on the 18th. They will begin processing on the 18th and dailies will update with the 846 on the 19th. At least this is what I’ve been trying to say lol 😄
Except for a 2 years ago when I was stuck in Limbo and got my DDD for March 2nd
It seems I always get DDD between 22 and 24th. In 2020 same scenario as this year path lifts Sat I got my money on 24th. I have always been 05 weekly. I have been on path message now 3 weeks as of stuck 2/17 and same good codes.
My boyfriend and I both filed 2/07. Both accepted same day. We both have the child tax credit, both also using hr block, and both paying fees out of refund. His refund just hit his bank account about 10 minutes ago. He’s had zero updates on trans or wmr. I have zero updates either however I haven’t received my refund.
Maybe they are releasing some early? Fingers crossed others get some luck today.
@MaryB: thank you! For this!
@londynsmommie: 1/23/2025 and accepted 1/24/2025
@Maryy: When did you file
I logged into the IRS website and seen I have a “Verify your tax return information now” alert. I tried to verify but it says I need a letter they mailed. Does anyone know how long it takes to get the letter because it has been over 10 days already.
Morning, my transcripts have codes 150 806 766 768 as of date 2/17 processing 2/24 cycle 02 . Wmr path act message, are they done processing my taxes just waiting for path to lift and get code 846 to receive or will they barely process taxes
https://www.irs.gov/irm/part21/irm_21-005-006r#idm140020317668256
This explains that the c freeze (path) which lifts the 15th.
@Stephennotsignedin: No, i don’t think it’s anything to worry about. It’s happened previous years.