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.
@NoFunAtTaxxTiimmee: I don’t see that anywhere. Can you tell me where you are seeing that?
What does it mean when the IRS website changes account status from not available to $0.00?
@ky606gurl: same here..filed 2/5 accepted 2/7 ..1 bar no 846 code yet..im waiting on that now lol
@Honeybee82: oh ok cool thanks
Did anyone happen to see that SBTPG has a new feature for filers? Apparently, when you have fees taken from your refund you can get your refund (at no cost) 5 days early. And it’s not the the cross river bank TT offered this year…this one is through SBTPG. Anybody seen this? It’s on their site. I wonder if you are automatically opted in though.
@StarringL: you will more than likely update with your 846 by Wednesday morning 😊
@Starchild1111: people with 05 at the end of their cycle code ‘can’ be daily, but usually they are weekly
@CaliHeart: if I remember correctly, last year when I used TT and had fees taken out…I think I got my refund one day early (maybe 2). So you probably won’t get it the Friday you update with your 846, but definitely that Monday or Tuesday!
@Honeybee82: yes but i am using a third party bank unfortunately a few fees are coming out
20250705 am i a weekly or daily?
I filed Jan 31st and accepted the same day .. my transcript still haven’t changed still have code 150 and 768 . As of date 2-24 and cycle 03
I’m a panther I have all hood codes for now! Not going to check this site or wmr until Tuesday! It’s jamming my anxiety up! Lbvfs
@Honeybee82: thank you so much for explaining!
Processing date of 03/03. Does that mean I will get a deposit that day or will it be after that?
I am a daily, and this year 01. I filed on Feb 5, accepted on Feb 6, wmr on 1 bar. I checked my transcripts last night and there was nothing. Showed no return filed. I checked this morning and my transcripts were filled in with all good codes except the 846
all good codes except 846. Im on Path and got the path message on WMR this morning.
As of date says 3/10. Any ideas of when direct deposit will hit?
Also anyone know when Mississippi state refund status usually updates?
Decided to take a peek back in time at my 2019 account transcript. That one finished processing/cycle dates of 2/24. The as-of date was 3/3 and the ddd was 2/26.
My 2024 transcript now has the as-of date of 3/3. My cycle/processing date is still 2/17. As a weekly on Path, it’s safe to assume that won’t change until this upcoming Friday. Codes are already there. Should be same 2/26 ddd, and the only differences is that I paid my fees up front this year unlike the past.
@Flgirl68: i filed my mom’s taxes and she had a DDD of monday 2/10 and her deposit showed up in her account on saturday 2/8
Question..
I filed and was accepted a week ago, on Feb 8th. The next day, WMR showed return was received and was processing with the classic 152 tax topic.
Well, today.. only a week later, it updated to the “A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays…” message… 152 disappeared.
What could this mean after 1 week?
I don’t have an ID.me account yet, so I can’t check transcripts, just thought someone here might be able to help.
@Cali: since you are more than likely a weekly, you could update with your 846 this Friday. If you have a NHB and no fees taken out, you could get your refund deposited that same day. When you look at your transcripts, do you have all of the standard codes (150, 806, 768)?
I have 20250505 and I am a pather….
does anyone here may have an idea as to when i should have my refund?
@Flgirl68: Wow you got your deposit 5 days before the expected date. Congrats!!
@kDeezy: the positive are more or less the standard: 150, 806, 768, etc. They mean your return is being processed smoothly with no errors, anything owed, etc. If you have those, you are basically just waiting for your 846 (refund issued code). And having the ‘04’ at the end of your cycle code means you are a daily and can update any day of the week. Keep an eye out late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, because that’s when we think us dailies will start seeing our 846’s 😊
@kDeezy: You are Daily
I filed and accepted 2/3/25. Had the 1st bar in WMR. Updated to 846 on transcripts yesterday morning with a DDD of 2/20/25z Woke up to 2nd bar on WMR this morning and my DD was in my Wells Fargo account.
Happy Saturday y’all! I posted the other day about having nada in regards to transcripts. I filed January 30 accepted same day, 1 dependent and not on path. kept checking for transcripts starting last Friday, February 7. Well I was real discouraged yesterday when again nada yesterday morning after the big update for weeklies. Well my gut instinct told me to have my hubby make an IRS account ( I only had one for years, and all of our returns were there) and boom he had the return, account etc etc all transcripts with code 846 DDD Feb 20! Crazy though he only had that one and I didn’t get it. Either way we are happy to have the good code and ddd! Hope y’all are having a great day and pathers hang tight, it’s coming!!
What are these “positive codes” y’all mention? Also what does cycle 20250604 mean?
@Single and living: yea also wondering same?
@Sheila la: oops I mean HR block
Question if he block approved my refund anticipation loan , I got a portion of my refund the day I filed … is that a good sign that my refund should be approved without issues ?? And within the estimated time frame ?
@blessedmama6: Yes ma’am, the amount goes away.
@Lisa in Atlanta: when path mesg shows up is it normal for refund amount to go away?
@6 years in this blog: When the path mesg shows up does your refund amount go away?