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.
@mickey m: Good Morning, when did you submit your State return ? Mine was submitted on 2/04/25 and nothing yet.
@Maryy b: PATH only holds refunds for those with certain credits. Many people confuse the credits. If she got an 846 today, she does not have the PATH credits.
One of her replies suggests two dependents so the additional child tax credit, but that is not what that credit is. That is why there is often chaos and confusion surrounding those.
@Tax25: sounds like the ID verify but that’s just a guess
Updated to 846 and DDD of 02202025 with an As of Date 03032025. Yes!!! Happy Valentines everyone. :-)
@harrya: I believe that updates later on time
@mickey m: Yes…I am
@Finding 846: im pretty sure its the ctc she has. just like people claiming they are getting deposits without the 846 code.
@Mkate04: You paid extra, but if you have an 846 the IRS has already transmitted it. It could come anytime even without paying that extra. Many banks are “no hold” and they do not charge. I guess if you had fees taken out TT may be putting you in priority when you pay that for them to process it and send it kn.
I keep getting errors on the IRS site rn. Prayyyyyying it’s because of updates
@Mkate04: are you sure you have the additional child tax credit & not the child tax credit? child tax credit doesnt get held for path. seems like more people would have updated with 846 if you are saying you did with the actc.
@Mkate04: Two dependents does not mean additional child tax credit.
@Rellik: https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-cycle-code/
@Rellik: got my state Wednesday evening NY is always slow
@Mkate04: wow! Does your transcript actually say Additional or just CTC? I just want to know if there is some hope for me?
Is anyone else getting an error when trying to view transcripts?
What’s cycle 05 mean ? Also anyone from Ny get there state or even an update . Have a blessed day
Oh I just knnneewwwww that I would be one with an 846…LOL! But in all honesty…i can wait until the 21st. I am just grateful to have all good codes and to know its coming! good morning all! congrats to all of you who have received your DDD!
No changes and wage transcript still says no record but everything else is filled in
So, I am on path and impatiently waiting. I checked my transcripts this morning and nothing changed but my as of date. I didn’t receive the 846 code. Is this normal or should I be worried? It’s never happened before.
@Finding 846: I claimed 2 dependents so the additional child tax credit.
@Maryy b: my direct deposit date isn’t until 2/20 but I paid extra for turbotax to send me 5 days early. Not sure if they actually will or not because of path.
@Paisley: glad u said they are still updating
@Monee: any updates today for you?
@Big ben: I haven’t updated in 2 weeks😩 I still have 150 and 768. I am a pather as well cycle 03
@Mkate04: I thought path lifts tomorrow and no one can get refunds before that! So confused now
@Mkate04: What credits did you file that made you a pather?
Got my 846 with a ddd of 2/20! Who hoo!
Action Required
***Please read the following information related to your tax situation. You may need to provide additional information to receive your full refund.
We received your tax return and are reviewing it. If we need additional information, we’ll mail a notice with further instructions.
If you’ve already received a notice, please follow the instructions.
If we determine no additional information is needed, we’ll continue to process your refund.***
I finally have some movement on WMR… Anyone else have this or gone through this… Still no record of a letter that has gone out.
@Thealchemist: yayy!! I have chime too and crossing my fingers it comes early as well. I’m a weekly.
@shelleybeanss: i looked at mine again and it’s 2023 as well.
Just in case I filed 1/24/25 and accepted same day.
Good morning everyone had a quick question I looked at my transcripts this morning and everything is the same as last week still good codes. I’m on path but haven’t received the 846 code yet. Do transcripts still update while on path?