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.
My state finally update with a ddd.! Yay.
@MousyMouse: mine just switched to not showing amount either. I’m sure we are ok.
@Tia: lol definitely. Lol them phone lines are going to be swamped. Bet the system for the online transcripts will break too from all the attempted inquiries.
@Truth80: Wow, that comment is so biased and incorrect.
Hey everyone, I hope all is well. Just out of curiosity has anyone had any updates what so ever or is this a question better suited for tomorrow evening?
@K.Nichelle: yes, exactly how I remember it. Too many fraudulent returns. We’re talking in the 10s of millions and a high percentage of those fraudulent returns are generally for people that aren’t even alive anymore. Nasty work how people do to try and come up!
IRS is gonna be so busy tomorrow lol
h & r block refund status is down so maybe good news for blockers
@Truth80: Sounds good but PATH was put in place to prevent FRAUD. When a person walks into Target or Walmart or any other retailer, unless the ppl there know you personally how can they know you’re low income”. Is it because you’re spending money around tax refund time? Are low income ppl the only ppl who receive tax refunds? Last I checked police officers get tax refunds, school teachers, firemen, ppl who work at colleges and universities, utility company workers, those who work in the grocery stores, places like Walmart and Target and ppl with many other occupations. Hardworking everyday ppl.
@RichinTheBurbs354: there’s no way to get refund without transcript updating with 846 without that then you cain’t get a refund impossible I’m telling you impossible
@JaynSyncere: I’m just stating what happened on mine 2 years in a row. I’m not sure about yours but I received mine before my transcripts updated and the WMR tool. I’m an 05 weekly if that help and if it happens again this year I will let you all know.
God bless and I hope you all wake up to your 846 this morning 😏🙏💜
@Val: well you’re alright so just be patient and don’t panic!!! Be blessed!!! Let me know if you need me for anything else. I’m 2023 I got my refund with fees taken out on the 20th via Cashapp and my as of date was 3/25/25. Actually it was only half and the other half had to be released by verification and etc… I got a check last year due to so many fraudulent tax preparers.
@Walter DOG: I’m a weekly 05. For the past 2 years I have received my refund before my transcripts updated amd before the WMR tool updated. I’m not saying this to cause confusion. It is a fact.
Has anyone had their id account temporarily suspended before ? This year has been crazy already. First year receiving letter to verify that I filed a tax return. I’m on day 21 so I guess I’m in the 9 week waiting game .
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: Feb 3rd I filed and 4th- I was accepted. It’s taking forever.
@Alizay: yes I have – sign in front of my refund amount
When is the next big update to wmr? Anybody know innit we’d to Thursday or Thursday to friday
@MousyMouse: It’s been accepted being you stated that you have the PATH message. It just haven’t been approved. The IRS is a day behind because of the holiday. What’s on your transcripts?
@StarringL: the Path message is still showing on my WMR too, but that’s normal. WMR doesn’t usually update until after our transcripts do, so it’s nothing to worry about 😊
@Kaylaaa: that is correct! Enacted in 2015. Not too sure about that first quarter earning stuff. It could be another reason but unknown it as to protect from fraudulent returns
Hello everyone, I have the path message and the 152 tax topic information link instead of an amount. Not only that I have not been accepted yet. I’ve had the same 3 kids almost 8 years now and it’s never taken this long to be approved. Does that mean something is wrong?
Path act is still showing on my WMR. One bar😩
@RichinTheBurbs354: It’ll definitely show on transcripts before getting a deposit.
@Ronhaz22: no there will not be an update tonight to transcripts. If you’re a daily you’ll probably see update to WMR that says your return is being processed.
Is only having 2 codes 150 &768 good codes for now?
@Val: yes for instant -740.25 do you have a minus sign anywhere?
Is there going to be an update tonight?
@RichinTheBurbs354: you can get deposit without showing on wmr but impossible to get deposit until 846 shows on transcript that’s what tells treasury to send deposit to your bank
@ErisedMai: right lol worst then d teens on social media smh thought we was adults can’t tell now days when the internet is involved lol thought this site was suppose to enlighten those of us with questions or concernes or even info
@Alizay: what do you mean a credit sign is it –
@Truth80: I thought the reason for the path was to protect fraudulent claimings of kids
Real Reason for PATH. Because retailers 1st Quarter earnings start officially Feb 15th. How do I know that. My fiance started a small security company. Her contact is with some holding warehouses for Walmart, Target. Majority of low income families as soon as they receive refunds run to Walmart or Target. Many say they’ll pay bills. No, no they don’t. They run off to buy new electrics. So retailers report a good 1st Quarter of earnings. This is all set up by the Feds. Spending means retail taxes and stocks to trade up. That’s why path lifts as t the beginning of the 1st Quarter of earnings spending.
Probably don’t mean anything, BUT….. IRS site is down!
@RichinTheBurbs354: Me too.
@RichinTheBurbs354: yes that’s normal
@RichinTheBurbs354: Goodmorning and yes you’re not the only one all of us do.
Today is day 21 for me.
Filed 1/25 accepted 1-27
05 weekly as of date 3-3
Processing date 2-24
All good codes on transcripts, so judging by my last year’s of transcripts, I should receive my 864 tomorrow or the 19th( it never shows on my transcript or WMR until after I get my deposit)
I will keep everyone updated but I’m kind of upset no one knows why all of my last transcripts since 2021 have an as of date of 03-03-2025…even my 2022 and 2023 returns have an as of date of 03-03-2025 (2025 for all 4 years when I look at my transcripts.
Does anyone else’s transcripts say 2025 on their past years transcripts or am I the only one?
@Kurt251: Hi,what is your cycle code and I can tell you. I’ve been here for years. Mines is 20250705. As of is 3/3 and I look forward to a big update overnight. Don’t panic especially if you have a credit sign in front of your balance.
Probably April Though Honestly
I’m sending good vibes out and I hope
Everyone that doesn’t have good codes or blank transcripts gets good news this week; as for us with good codes WE ARE JUST WAITING LETS BE THANKFUL ; last year was rough let’s hope for the best and send good vibes out
@NO 🧢: unfortunately.
@Bellee: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Filed & accepted 1/28/25
We do have PATH Act.
WmR shows return received and we do have PATH message, tax topic 152.
Transcripts show cycle 20250505 with date 02-17-2025. Codes 150 766 & 768. It also shows a “as of March 10, 2025” on the transcript too.
It’ll come eventually. Checking once a day and keeping fingers crossed for a happy update.
Sending good vibes to everyone else, too!
@Deano: someone should really make up a dance and post it online so we all can do it too! 😂
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: 😂 shooooottt then let’s start recruiting because we all need that 846!
Na but I hope we all can have a smile by weeks end knowing our money is on the way.
@Hoping 🙏: oh! Okay then speak it! Wherever two or more agree🙏 I mean I was speaking that I was a daily but I’m a weekly by my cycle code so we may need to grab someone else to speak this into existence too 🤣
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: noooooo don’t do that to my hopes lol why you gotta do that. I’m trying to speak it into existence lol it’ll be different this year. 😂
What we need is the 846 Happy Dance Hey everyone Have a great Evening Smile 😀😀😀😀
Whats crazy I’m a weekly but it says the processing date is the 17th can anyone give insight on this please that has the right knowledge?
I’ve been on here for years now, maybe a year or 2 after this forum started. Everyone always just trying to share information and get to the money. It’s definitely changing,
and not for the better.
@Hoping 🙏: Thanks for helping to break up the tension in here 😊. I took a break for a bit, came back…and was like “whew it’s hot up in here!” lol. Too much tension, and not typical for this site. People just need to remember that it’s ok to disagree or not believe someone….just try to be respectful about it. It’s all going to play out this week, so we’re just a bunch of sitting ducks until then. Some of us will be right, some of us will not….but we’ll all get our money eventually! 🌈💰
@Hoping 🙏: unfortunately daily will see updates Wednesday and weekly on Friday.
@Facts: except for the fact that back in 2020 this exact timeline took place and we did not start seeing 846 post to transcripts until Wednesday the 19th. The IRS does not process returns on holidays or weekends. Although not very return is seen by a human, the computer requires a human to input the data to get the computers to run….
846s on the way everyone. Tension is in fact thick in here this evening. 🤞 🤞🤞🤞🤞 I bet allot of dailies will get it tomorrow, followed by weeklies the following days.
Blessings to all 🙏🙏🙏
I think everyone needs to take a step back away from the keyboard/whatever you’re using, this isn’t necessary y’all.
@Deano: you as well! 😊 I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
@Jocelynn: Perfect I would love to see that 846 myself Have an amazing Evening Thank you 🙂