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.
Transcripts updated today from blank to good codes and then a 570 just checked the mail and got 4464c letter. The only difference is I didn’t claim one of my dependents this year could that have triggered it?
@LoveMy3Munchkins: I’d still check transcripts every morning. You may just be an 05 daily. :)
@wade123: maybe they just don’t see something yet? Maybe a w2 or something?
@EricaChristyne:
Im path accepted 1/21 and all good codes since Jan 31
But have no 570 or 971 codes
Hello
Have any panthers cycle 0505 update with 570 or 971 yet ? Im
Wondering if we’re past that phase and or could 570 971 pop up next Friday morning as well ? Been waiting too long to not
Know if everything good to go .. I’m thinking it is ok bcus all these non path dailies have been getting approved as soon as codes hit so once codes hit i assume your done being run through the system ?
Any idea why my as of date changed from 24th to the 3rd of March ?
Hey, hey. How is everyone? Does anyone have the 570 still? So I updated today with the notice issued. LOL. So fun. I’m still looking at my 2020 transcripts cause it was the same thing so let’s see next week. Hopefully, it’s only cause of the PATH. We’ll see.
@wade123: Well, good grief. What in the world triggered it? Might be not much of nothing and it just resolves itself or at least we can hope.
@Red Dawn: where do u find the processing date???
I’ve noticed everyone stating their as of date shave changed to 3/3.. mine has been that date the entire time dang PATH ACT
@MaryB: we have the same transcripts.. nothing but as of date . Nothing else
@MaryB: I don’t even have a 2024 filled in at all or even available to see. I only have my 2020 to 2023 account transcripts showing and the as of date has changed on them to be march 3rd 2025 thats all i have.
@Sheila_33: So, it looks like I am not getting my small tax refund this year. Transcripts updated to a 570 code overnight. From what I have read it takes month or years to resolve, and it probably won’t be worth the effort for such a small return.
@MaryB: oh you mean the as of date for previous years showing as the one that is on our current transcripts?
So, it looks like I am not getting my small tax refund this year. Transcripts updated to a 570 code overnight. From what I have read it takes month or years to resolve, and it probably won’t be worth the effort for such a small return.
@Shelia My transcripts updated today and it shows all good codes and my cycle code changed from 20240805 to 20250705 so I’m a weekly again.
@Jay: I believe it was the dates on transcripts for years prior changing that I was referring to.
@Jenny04: I only have an as of (March 03) date. I believe those seeing a processing date have more filled in than I (and you) do.
I havé code 846 .DDD 02/20. Good luck to everybody.
My as of date change to March 3rd. Processing date is still 2/17. Praying for good news for us all 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@Sheila_33: I don’t even know where to look for processing date everyone is talking about, help??????
I can finally see my transcripts. As Of changed to 03/03 but still processing 02/17. It’s doing something….wish I knew what
Chic Fil A needs to take over running the IRS. I have never waited long there (inside or drive through or curbside), and they always get it right.
On a more serious note, the IRS should try to get it efficiently turned around and put more harsh penalties on those that do wrong rather than holding innocent people up because of the wrongdoings of some.