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.
@Morris: thank you!
so quick ques if im aa 05 cycle code i could possibly see my 846 on my transcripts before wed? or am i stretching it a bit and shouldnt see it until friday
@Jojo513: Same here. I filed the same date and nothing is showing for mine.
@Blue chyna: Same here.
@757vapather: right.. i feel ya i wonder the same thing. like once the system touch my return y not just process and complete lol why wait im like on love jones you already know my personal info im verified approve me now lol why wait
@Mama.Bear: has anyone answered u? We are literally the exact same, TT, filed the 27th, codes are all same and dates changed for me today the 864 and other ones
@757vapather: Oh thank you. Unfortunately my VA WMR never moves for whatever reason. Always got my state so fast before last year–took over a month. I’m not gonna hold my breath this year!
I always get my ddd on a Sunday for the last 13 years wtf
@TaxStruggle: mines never changed
@757vapather: u aint lyin VA forever taking someone state lol cant catch a brk out hea in VA commonwealth state dont hod no bars do they lol
@Jaina: no I didn’t get my state refund because it was offset by but I filed my states 1/21, got a id verify letter 1/29, then a week after the VA WMR updated saying I was getting zero back ; google VIRGINIA WHERES MY REFUND ; input ur info ; hope this helps
Top of the Morning Ya’ll, well i just checked transcripts and the as of date moved until 3-3 something is fishy this year however it’s coming we can see movement!
@Big ben: It lifts on February 17th.
Question, I filed 2/6 still no transcripts available. This happened to anyone?
@757vapather: Hey does the “va” in your name mean Virginia? If so, have you gotten your VA refund yet?
@757vapather: @Monee: I mean “can “not “can’t” if the system can update those dates why can’t it just give us the 846
@Monee: I feel the same way ; if the system can’t automatically do that why can’t it just run the return through and give us the 846
Yeah like I said, my ‘as of’ date for last year is March 4th even though my refund deposited on the 16th. In 2023, my ‘as of’ date is March 3rd even though my refund deposited the 22nd.
We can at least say that ‘as of’ dates don’t always matter, if not never.
no changes on mine
All my dates changed to 3/03 again today. What are they looking for?! You would think if they can keep playing with those dates they could go ahead and process my return. Ok…rant over.
@Sheila_33: I’m glad they did it, so easier that way.
@Blue chyna: In my experience, Sunday updates are rare (but have happened).
@Mama.Bear: Don’t put too much stock into those as of dates. They keep floating around for everyone. As long as you got good codes and no issues you should see your 846 this coming week.
@Big ben: It did lift but WMR has not updated yet, that will likely be Tuesday-Wednesday before changes are reflected for some and Friday for others…though new filers will never see it of course.
@Big ben: it did lift but I don’t think it’ll be much movement until Tuesday.
@Morris: I think it’s unlimited log in on the tax account and I love that they put the Wmr tool in there.
Morning y’all is anyone still getting path message on wmr? Thought it was supposed to lift on the 15
@Mama.Bear: A lot of people including myself saw some as of dates changing. I honestly believe it’s just the systemupdating and checking things. No worries. :)
@Jenny04: One way you can check is to go to your IRS account and click refund status. That’s how I check.
@Sheila_33: please help
Help Please!!! All good codes for two to three weeks now. As of date changed from February 10th to March 10th overnight. Pather, TurboTax, fees from refund, no hold bank, cycles 20250504. TC 150 says February 17th. 766 and 768 TCs have dates of April 15th. Can anyone help me? I don’t know why I pushed out a whole month or if that is what it means. Filed and Accepted Jan 27. Thanks Im worried.
What does it mean???!!!!
So my as of date had been Feb 10th for a few weeks. Overnight it changed to March 10th. My filing has Feb 17th listed and other codes (all there except 864) say April 15. I have 150, 768 766 i think so can anyone tell me why my transcript went from Feb 10 to March 10 or what that means?
Thank you.
Sundays are scheduled maintenance days so don’t get discouraged if the tax account and wmr are wonky today. :)
@Jenny04: I dont think its a daily thing, its 24 hours. So if you check it too many time in 24 hours it locks you out. (im not 100% sure, but i seem to remember this)
Well WMR is saying I reached maximum attempts and I haven’t checked it since yesterday. This morning was the first time since yesterday. Is something wrong on my end or is WMR down??