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.
My as of date has changed from 2/17 to 3/3 but my process date is still 2/24. Anyone know what’s the deal with that?
Why did my as of date change from 2/24/25 now to 3/3/25 as I can get my transcripts. All years have it . Is this a bad thing All good codes 150 806 766 768 on path act message on WMR with topic 152 my processing date is still 2/24
05 weekly
Been on path message since 1/24
All good codes only thing changed today was as of date was 2/17 to 3/3 but all my transcripts have 3/3 now.
@Jersey girl: Same I was finally able to get transcripts and all say 3/3/25 why i had as of 2/17/25 processind date still 2/24/25 all good codes
@Samiam: we’re the same I’m like what’s going on should I be worried
@LLHARRI: Congratulations hun…until we meet again…same time next year? 😆
@Snoopy06: YES! SHEILA, WALTER, MARYB, MOMMYOF3, EVERY YEAR THEY HELP SOOO MUCH! WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS💜
Hello everyone my as of date pushed out from 2/24 to 3/3 I still have good codes..
As of date is now 3/3/25. Transcripts are still blank. I need verify my info but have not received a letter. Not sure how they determined I need to verify if they haven’t processed my return enough to even populate the correct filing status on my transcript.
cycle code and processing date stayed at 2/17. As-of date changed to 3/3. Earlier today, it was at 2/24. All the other usual codes were already there.
I would just like to give a shoutout to Sheila and Walter ! Thank you for being here for years answering questions and giving us reassurance 🩷🩷we all greatly appreciate it!
Hi not sure if this works for everyone but I was also getting an error when using my PC but no issue when using my cell phone I was able to view my trans. I have 846 for 2/20. SBTPG shows funds received just waiting for them to post my CK card as I took the advance.
I was curious and checked prior years, and the as of dates on all of my transcripts updated to march 3rd.
I gave up! I am not checking anymore. Nothing has changed in 2 weeks ! Code 150 and 768 . Cycle 03 and I am path
My transcript just update to an as of march 3rd date. All good codes, just waiting patiently.
Updated to as of March 3. This whole time I have not updated to a different date. It has Always been February 24. Is this a bad thing? Still has the processing date as of the 17th
@Creole Queen: I appreciate the feedback. Today was the first time I was able to have someone review my account. I had the id verify message for a week now with no movement.
@Pearlmarto @naughtyrockets: If and when you can access your transcripts, I believe others have stated that the 14 digit number is on it (or on some notification) that you can use to ID verify before getting the letter.
@naughtyrockets: I am waiting for my identification letter too. If you don’t mind me asking, when were you accepted?
@naughtyrockets: I will take some time for the system to update, and if other posts are accurate, it actually updated within as little as 2 weeks, but they ask for that 9 to 11 to give them time “in case” something happens.
@Nick: I hope you DONT get a 570 code. You dont need that stress.
@Buckey12: lol
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: awesome. i hope that’s the case for me! i need an MRI on my back and could use the money to pay for it!
@naughtyrockets: it doesn’t take that long. Last year I had to ID verify and still updated on time with other Panthers so it didn’t delay me at all.
@Lisa in Atlanta: Being only 36 i have never heard that in my life. of course, all my acquaintances are old people in their 60 to 70s save the 4 or 5 people my own age I hang out with in spare time. I don’t want to call myself an introvert because I do enjoy people but I have calmed down in the past 10 years. 3 kids and 14 hour shifts will do that to you I guess.
@Sheila_33: me to … thanks for your reply and fingers crossed
@Paisley: so your transcripts filled all the way in the following week?
So I got my verification letter yesterday. I went online and completed it. I called today to confirm it went through-because I’m anxious like that-and the dude said it can take 2-3 weeks for the verification system to update then another 9 weeks to fully process. RIDICULOUS. It’s all computerized! Though I did read a few weeks ago that the “computers” are sometimes pretty old – like from the 70s. The IRS never got the money to update systems.
Has anyone had a quick refund after having to verify? I need a positive example to hold on to.