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.
@Keishalove33: mine are to don’t think it’s anything to worry about
@Jaina: as of date is not the date you’ll get your refund. It IS earlier. 6 to 10 days earlier.
My as of date changed yesterday from 2/17 to 3/3 then went back to 2/27 this morning now to 3/10 for all years ! I still have 150 806 766 768 processing date of 2/24 path act message with topic 152 no refund amount. Is this good
@Tonicmo88: Nothing to worry about.
Good morning, my WMR changed overnight to include this message:
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act says that if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS cannot issue the refund before mid-February etc etc.
Still one bar, cannot access transcripts. Nothing to worry about right?
@Keishalove33: Mine are too. I just think the system is updating before the transcript updates next week.
Goodmorning everyone but this post is for sheila or for walterdog transcripts are changing as of dates again even on a Saturday morning mines are march 3, 2025 as of dates for 2024, 2023 ,2022 ,2021 ,2020 down to 2016 tax year what the heck is going on any insight greatly appreciated thankyou.
@Ineedthismoney: Mine did that too
GM! My as of went from 03/3 to 03/10 processing date 2/17 and all good codes. Anyone’s as of went to 03/10? What’s that about? TIA
PATHers, there’s nothing popping until next week. Anyone with PATH related credits claiming an 846 code on their transcript is full of 💩💩.
READ FOR YOURSELF:
https://www.irs.gov/irm/part21/irm_21-005-006r#idm140020317664560
Filed on 2/6 and my return still isn’t processed.
@Jaina: I hope mines follows suit like that!! I never been in the test batch I was accepted 1/21 ; so maybe just maybe!!!
@OperaRich: congrats
You know, my refund deposited SO early last year, the day after PATH lifted on the 16th. Just checked last year’s transcripts and the as of/processing date says March 4th. Checked the year before and it’s like that too. Way later than my actual deposit date.
I think the as of/processing date is entirely irrelevant–and thank god for that because mine says March 10th this year!
@VA757pather: I guess I’m just as crazy because I typed out that message to see how many people feel like
I do.
Difference is I didn’t seek the attention by lying. We all want attention and seek it (research MASLOWS HIERARCHY OF NEEDS). It’s just what lengths do you go to get it.
@somedude89: you obviously have a reason to lie(I’m assuming u were lonely on Valentine’s and are seeking attention that you don’t get in healthy ways; outside of the internet or social media)
To lie and then proceed to come on a site and type out (not just say) “ I have no reason to lie” IS INSANE
you knew by saying u had THE PATH CREDITS and then saying u got ur refund would create a reaction
That was your reason to lie to get the attention THAT MY DUMB A** just gave you lol!
Anyway good luck to all !
Ohhhhhhh yeah!!! Guess what I just got woken up too? A text message from HnR block saying 7 hundred and 20 dollars has been added! Finally got my federal refund after filing on the 10th and accepted the 24th a long wait paid off! Taxes are coming guys! We’re all finally there!!!
Yup I still have the three good codes(150,766,768); I checked my offsets (nothing there); my student loans are in good standing ; I’m a weekly so I think I will update with a DDD next week sometime ; HOPEFULLY before Friday but the way the system works I probably get my date Friday and then get my deposit on 2/26 that following Wednesday
@VA757pather: same here the same PATH Act message! 🤦♂️ hopefully we get that 846 soon!
@Hoping 🙏: I have the same PATH ACT MESSAGE ; I think that it won’t update
Until next week , I don’t get why the system doesn’t work on weekends but oh well
@WA242: mines too processing 2/17 but as of 2/24
My as of is feb 17
And 2/24 processing date
@somedude89: stop telling lies
Hello, has any one who is on PATH checked their WMR ? And if so has there been any update with it?
@Comeonnn: SSA does not reconcile tour income for months so that is no indicator for your taxes.
Well I am back to the original as of Date 02/17 and Processing date of 02/17 this has been unchanged.
Cycle 05 weekly. Also on the long
Path
The IRS system has been haywire all day lol. First I updated to as of date 3/3/2025, then updated again to as of date of 3/10/2025, and a third time it changed back to as of 2/10/2025 but my processing date stayed the same the entire time 2/17/2025! No idea what any of that means but hey here’s to hoping we all get our 846 soon!
Blessings to all 🙏
@Impatiently waiting: mine did the same but now as of is 2/24 but processing is still 2/17
@somedude89: 🤔
never gotten them this fast, but yea, hopefully things shake overnight for you guys!
@Jaynsyncere: i couldnt get in my id.me account this year, changed my number, so i honestly dont know, i did file 02/02 tho. and i think i am a weekly.
@Jaynsyncere: i couldnt get in my id.me account this year, changed my number, so ihonestly dont know, i did file 02/02 tho. and i think i am a weekly.
@somedude89: When did your transcripts update?
@somedude89: what processing date is on your transcripts, if u have access.
check your bank accounts!! i filed with freetaxusa, eitc ctc, all that , its in my account, wmr still says they have received my taxes,good luck!!
My cycle and processing date have stayed 2/17 this last week. My as of was 2/24, and then it changed to 3/3 Friday (all my codes were already there last week). Now, early Saturday morning, my as of has snapped back to 2/24. Irs2go app still shows Path act message.
@HxCWindows: If you filed and were accepted before the official opening day of 01/27.
How do you know if you’re part of the test batch
@ErisedMai: thank you I will continue to wait
I can’t find it now but… whoever keeps mentioning the SSA website and your income showing up…. What is the significance of that?
@Ambo: I usually don’t ever see movement until like 3-4 am.. there is still hope that you update tonight into tomorrow!!!
I’m still on as of 2/10 with record of non filing status.. no codes. Blank transcripts. Pather. I was part of the test batch
What does it mean?!
Here to say.. I went from 2/17 to 3/03 to 3/10 and I just checked and all my dates went back to 2/17 again!!! All in the last probably 4 hours.
just to quickly add on, i checked my other transcripts and my Account transcript shows as of 3/10 but my Record of Account transcript shows as of 2/24
@Taee: This is a review, which is different than ID verify.
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.
My WMR updated to this shortly after midnight. Does this mean I will have to verify?
so just checked my transcripts out of curiosity since its after midnight here on the east coast and noticed my as of date switched from 3/3 as it was all day today to now 3/10. processing date and 150 are still 2/24. the as of dates on my previous years returns have gone back to what they previously were and no longer showing the current as of date..
Hey yall