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.
@SaginawMama: I thought you got your refund last week. Congratulations on double the refund
Anyone get an update from federal today via transcript or wmr?
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: could.possible,if they switched all the pathers to daily to clear the backlog quickly…but prolly not
Accepted on 1/20/25 sorry!
Just received my federal at 11:09am. Pather with fees paid up front with turbo tax. Filed on 1/9/25 and accepted on 1/19/25. Just got my direct deposit on my Netspend card. Claimed EITC and ACTC. See everyone next year!!!! It’s coming so keep an eye out.
@Sheila_33: The one in which got the refund.
For me being a 05 Pather I typically get my refund before WMR updates. Also, my days DD has hit on a Wednesday and Friday. So honestly who knows? I hope tomorrow is my lucky day. LOL.
@ArrowheadIsTheBest: Which user name got the refund today?
@JB: Because last year the 15th fell on a Thursday and path lifted so both weeklies and dailies processed and had transcript updates on Friday. This year the 15th fell on a Saturday and yesterday was a holiday. Processing today for transcript updates tomorrow.
@Confused in Ohio: throughout
@ArrowheadIsTheBest: And yes I am a pather
@ArrowheadIsTheBest: correction am. Sorry
@Kalamata Olive: The question is when did you change your number?
8:05 pm Pacific. Arrowhead Credit Union. My Fed Deposit just hit. Small credit Union for San Bernardino County Residents only. I filed the Jan 26th accepted 27th. Watch the haters start to question and show proof 😂. Don’t start hating people. Same thing happen in 2020 for me. Best bank ever
Like I just changed my number and then changed it back again. The fact is my number changed and I just changed my number. When will I get my refund.
@MaryB: ok thank you that’s what I was thinking I use cashapp so was thinking that’s why I got mine the next day last year and could possibly get my refund today since they are a no hold bank
@LWBOSS: Fun Fact: If you look in certain numerology dream books, 468 and 864 mean MONEY. I’ve always wondered if the IRS picked their codes based on numerology because of that. lol.
@Need my money: If you filed on February 25 last year, you were never “on the PATH”.
It could be fast, there could be an issue. I have filed on a Monday one year and had my refund by the end of the week. Another year my return was resequenced.
It also depends on time your return was accepted, day of the week and whether you are daily or weekly.
Do transcripts update throughout the day or just once a day?
@JB: Because the PATH did not end on a weekend last year, followed by a holiday.
Some people will finish processing today/tomorrow and see WMR updates tomorrow/Thursday.
A higher number will process Thursday with transcripts filling in that night or Friday and WMR updating Saturday.
Refunds may start appearing later today for those with no hold banks.
@Vee2021: no they don’t mean anything.
@Walkingthepath: I’m just not understanding the dates on these refunds. If I got mine the 16th last year at 12:50 pm which would have been the next business day after the path freeze lifted why would we not start receiving refunds today which would be the next business day after the path freeze lifted for this year?
@Bri_843: Yes.