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.
@Jay Jay: yes i believe so…im thinking everyone with a 152 and path should get some kind of deposit this week…prayers
even before a transcript update possibly.
@FrazierGurl: except today was a holiday so no processing. This should follow 2020 which I posted earlier on the thread a timeline of events. Transcripts will update for dailies with 846 on Wednesday which will reflect Tuesday processing. In order for 846 to appear tomorrow the transcripts would have had to process today and they didn’t due to the holiday.
@!: Having children (one or more) by itself does not mean you have PATH credits. You can have 1, 2…10+ children and not be PATH. Your children would qualify for the CTC (Child Tax Credit) which is not a PATH held credit.
The EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) and ACTC (Additional Child Tax Credit) are the PATH held credits. Additional child does not mean more than one child, it is an additional (as in different) child tax credit.
Before insistently calling someone a liar, make certain you are right.
@Lmf: I was joking btw…Im always joking around on here. I’m sorry 🧚🧚 and I’m so happy for you!
Wait…my pixie dust worked!!! Omg 😭😭
@Boogerbaby089: we’re glad you’re here! 😄 So far this year has gone really smoothly for me ::knock on wood:: lol. Last year my ID Verify mess was a nightmare, so I’m grateful to not be stressing as much this time. I also switched to a daily after being weekly for years, so that was a total surprise! I just hope everyone gets all the updates they want this week 😊
@Boogerbaby089: I didn’t update my profile guys as I didn’t plan on responding this year. I was actually dropping by to see how honeybee and everyone where doing this year!
We just have to get through one more day, before we start seeing those 846’s (at least for dailies)!! 😄 Nothing was processed today since the IRS wasn’t open, but tomorrow they will complete mass processing for all dailies…then transcripts will update late tomorrow night into Wednesday. Then a few short days later, it will be the weeklies turn….we’re at the finish line! 🍾💵💰
@Lmf: Dont stress it, you have nothing to prove to anyone on here.. I myself have 3 kids on my return and received my OVERPAYMENT in taxes on the 13th. I didn’t qualify for the EITC as I made well over 6 figures last year. I belive for joint filers cutoff is 66k. Every tax situation is different and this site normally is very respectfully and helpful. Don’t let the negative of a few dim your light.
@mrsmetoo: here’s their number 1 (800) 967-4934
@mrsmetoo: I would like to know that answer as well
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: Transcripts can update any day of the week. However, mass updates on daily account are usually Tuesday; and mass updates on weekly accounts are usually Friday
@Lmf: if you updated then congrats! You have beaten this years level lol. Now enjoy that $$
Thank yall so much for the info!! :)
@NotLoggedIn75: I’m not lying. If there’s anywhere to post a screenshot in here I will do it 🤷🏽♀️
@Minionlover: umm yes it does! It would trigger that credit which would in turn put them on the wonderful PATH and no transcript’s update today (a federal holiday)
@Relief2020: exactly!!!! Good luck to everyone!!!
@FrazierGurl: probably not until Wednesday for the 846 to appear on transcripts.
@Honeybee82: Thank you so much for the information.
@NotLoggedIn75: how they lying? 2 kids doesn’t equal path…
@Lmf: stop lying
Hello everyone. Let the games begin. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of 846’s dropping tonight 🤞
@Gators352: Hey Gator hope your doing well and your transcripts update quickly
Everyone that’s already filled in should update this week to 846 am I correct?
@Ambo: hey I filed 2/10 and have an as of date of 3/3 and blank transcript with all zeros also. Hopefully we will fill in this week .
@Tan: You’re welcome. 🙂
@Ambo:
I have an as of date of 03/03 (it was 03/10 then switched back to 03/03), no IP pin…letter of non filing and the fourth transcript does not even show for 2024 yet.
@Ambo: hey there, sorry I missed your question! Typically having all 0’s just means that they haven’t officially processed yours yet. When my 2024 transcripts first populated, I had all 0’s too….but only for about a week, then I completely processed with all good codes except the 846. I think you will process all the way this week, and will see everything update all at once now that Path has lifted 😊
I don’t typically worry….buuutttt.. .I am still showing blank transcripts as if I’ve not filed. Although I was accepted on the 7th. I am a pather. But typically I would see something on my transcripts even if it didn’t have the 846 code yet. This time, nada nothing