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.
This is the week everyone. I’m wishing everyone a Happy 846s this week.
@Bellee: good my friend I ask you that first day you were on here guess you didn’t see me but was asking about you and how kiddos was doing
@Keishalove33: not tomorrow most likely Wednesday
@Clos: Wow did u do the 5 days for $25 dollars I wouldn’t be surprised if daily and some weeklies update on Tuesday or Wednesday at the Sametime I will be glad to see that beautiful 846 😂
@Walter DOG: Thanks Walter you and Sheila are always there and thanks to others in this group that has good vibes I just want to see that number 846 this week my transcripts been updating before Friday and I suppose to be a weekly 0405 maybe a daily 05 who knows I want to update tomorrow if it’s possible lol but the way these transcripts been acting up anything is possible he’ll daily and weekly might update at the Sametime.
@Keishalove33: I literally have the same info as you. Filed 1/13 accepted 1/17 0405
Processing 2/10 as of was 2/17 now its 3-3 on all transcripts. Path message for weeks all good codes.
@Azluckyfish: I have the same codes. We are good to go. I come every year and spread my good luck pixie dust 🧚 for everyone.
I’ll spray it on the whole chat now 🧚🧚
@Walter DOG: The 3-3 dates stem from this years dates if you noticed it’s:
3-3-2025 it says that on my 2023 script also, I’m more than positive that it’s only a glitch in the system. 😊
@Walter DOG: Walt!! How have you been?? I hope you’ve been doing okay 🥰💕
@Bellee: 3-3 as well codes 150 766 768
@Keishalove33: I am 3-3 with 2–17 those don’t really mean much only thing is this is first year as of dates hasn’t stayed frozen and first year prior years transcript has 3-3 dates that’s what gets me also
@Vee: I am also 3/3 and Feb 17th. I’ve had the path message for weeks now also.
@Vee: I’m In same Boat as you
3/3 as of date
2/17 processing date
150,766,768 codes
I’m a weekly 05 codes
Wonder why some are 3/10 , but we are 3/3
Filed 1/21
I’m just thankful and happy that I don’t have to ID VERIFY or go through anything bad and I hope everyone that does gets their money quicker than I did last year. So I’m just thankful that it look like soon we will see 846; it’s frustrating but I’m glad that we seem to be on the right track and I wish the best for everyone.
Here’s what the IRS says about the path act.
In 2025, the IRS will lift the PATH Act holding requirement on February 17, and start processing returns for taxpayers who have claimed the EITC and ACTC.
@Keishalove33: I filed 1/21
As of date is 3/3
I got good codes as well , some people are 3/10 but I’m 3/3 still I just checked I wonder what this means
@Vee: I wonder if maybe they don’t do things differently now and it doesn’t even matter anymore. I guess we wouldn’t know?
@Keishalove33: I am also a pather that did 5 days early with turbotax for $25 dollars.
@Goldizzle: Goodmorning and yes I was waiting for someone like me I filed January 15, 2025 accepted January 17, 2025 as of date was February 17, 2025 switch to march 3, 2025 and my processing date remains at February 10, 2025 that never change my codes are all good 150 766 768 cycle code 0405 how about you sorry for all the information.
@Goldizzle: 2/17 and 3/3 ..your the only one I’ve seen with the 3/3 like me but not the 10th?
@ky606gurl: I can rule that one out for myself. 2 weeks earlier than 3/3 for me would be tomorrow. 😂😂I hope I didn’t get yanked into a bad test batch .
My processing date is still 2/10 and as of is 3/3 and I’m a pather. Anyone else have same thing?
@Jaina: i definitely got my refund faster last year than I ever have. Even as a weekly. I’ve been a weekly for at least 4 years now . But when my transcript filled out during a week day , and updated Thursday before last I was confused . Didn’t update again till this Friday/Saturday tht just passed … so I’m like 😵💫I’m a weekly or not bruh. Now ima b anxious all week Becuase idk if I’m a friggin weekly or daily 😂😂
@Jaina: ever since I have been a weekly my refund has also beeen quicker and less stressful lol
So I was doing some research and looked back at my last two year prior returns, and on both my DDD was exactly two weeks before my processing date. So, since my processing date moved to 3/10, I’m thinking Feb 24, I should be receiving mine. I’m hoping for sooner, but that’s what I’m expecting
@Vee: I don’t know because I was always daily until last year when I turned weekly. And yet, I got my refund faster last year than ever before and nothing EVER updated, even after the deposit. This year, I updated on Friday, not Saturday, despite being weekly now. I don’t see any real pattern.
Is it possible to be weekly and daily? Becuase I’m an 05 . And the first 2 times my transcript updated were week days but the last time it updated was this past Friday.
I went from 2/17 to 2/24 to 3/3 as of dates
I’m a pather
I filed 1/9 accepted 1/18
Processing date is still 2/17
I have all good codes.. I’m just confusedddddddd this year . Help me 😮💨
@Mommymonni3: you should be able to chat with them and they will ask you to send pics of your id
I had the same issue but it was easy to resolve.
Pather…. Filed 1/24 accepted the 25th TT says my return has been sent I owed the irs for prior years yesterday my account balance was there saying what I owed today it’s 0 as if o owe anything so I think after the holiday we should see something
So last year I filed on February 24th had a DDD of march 4th got it on the 2nd which was a Saturday with Bank of America which was strange so it only took 7 days from file to deposit I filed on the 15th this year but no transcripts yet any idea when those will post
@Pather with Chime: I got mine like 2 or 3 something in the am on the 21st shit was crazy I remember the systems were down etc.. everyone was on here stressed lol including myself… but hey We got this its coming .. I say Tuesday or Wednesday we getting our deposit 🤪
But I will say this though this is a pay week for me so I will be getting my payroll on Tuesday instead of Thursday lol Thanks to Chime lol
@Tykillaa28: I got mine on the 16th last year with chime at 11:33 am that was a Friday per my ban statements for Feb 2024. I was hoping for a dd today but irs doesn’t update Sunday or Monday due to holiday. Expecting dd Tuesday mid day for chime.