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.
@Harris: thank you for the help. Yeah, I filed a couple weeks ago. Oh well, guess I’ll just wait it out
@Keishalove33: I think we’re gonna have to see what happens with this next weekly update.
Doesnt WMR update around 7am
@H0dlsworth: if you filed and was accepted before path lifted, you may not have processed in order to receive path message. @Sheila_33 correct me if I’m wrong. Don’t want to give incorrect info. Learn something new everyday
My as of date changed to 3/3 from 2/24 just now so seems like it’s still updating. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll have an update
@Harris: thanks, but it’s been tax topic 152 this whole time. I’m weekly so blank transcripts also.
@Boogerbaby089: no biggie! Have a blessed day!
@H0dlsworth: You may not see it now since path has lifted
@VA757pather: 05 is weekly but weeklies can also process any day of the week
So got my 846 this morning on transcript. Says 2/24 for DDD. I got the TT 5 day early thing, so that should be deposited today? I use Huntington and have 2 day early deposit with them as well.
I have tax topic 152 but I claimed EIC! Am I screwed? Still only one bar. Why isn’t mine saying the PATH message? 😭
@VA757pather: could be either
@Sheila_33: Goodmorning Sheila I left a message for you and Walter dog to answer if you kindly will do please find it it’s to much to type again thankyou.
@Boogerbaby089: I’m sorry, must be a different Harris. Last year the only issue I had was waiting for Santa Barbara to release my money. I had fees taken out of refund and had a NHB. I had to wait til the day before my DD to get my refund. I didn’t have access to transcripts last. The “Harris” you are speaking of had to have more to their name. Sorry
So is it possible for one person to be 0505 WEEKLY and the other to be 0505 DAILY?
Or is 0505 all DAILY??
Asking for a friend LMAOOO
@Boogerbaby089: Now I think about it.. I think it was Harry lol, it’s been a whole year. My bad!! Anywho congrats to all!
@Boogerbaby089: or maybe that was @Harry
@757VApather: I had those same codes on my transcripts but my cycle code this year was 04 instead of 05. I’m not sure when my transcripts updated but i do have the 846 code for 2/24. my WMR still showing the PATH Msg. Try checking your transcripts Friday.
@Harris OMG I am sooo sorry, last year we had same cycle codes and letters issued same day it was a nightmare. Mine was income and payment verification. Everytime we called IRS they gave a a different reason and kept pushing out review dates back first letter said 90 days but then they said it was going to be 120 days for review. It was aweful. I am thankful this year was smooth and quick.
@ImpatientlyWaiting2024: @honeybee82
@Harris: **same cycle code
Did anyone that had to ID verify last week update last night?
I verified last Thursday the 13th around 3pm EST. Can someone provide any insight?. The only thing I see is the date on the notice of non-filing changed from the 14th to 19th.
Help @hondeybee82
@757VApather: IRS system is random. You just never know. You could go years having cycle code and getting refund around the same time then BOOM the following year complete opposite or changed!
@757VApather: same
@Rere: some people have already updated ITS SO RANDOM ; and I’m
Lost rn
Morning everyone! Weeklies, we’re almost there! :)
Someone please give insight I feel
Like my comments are being looked over
@HeatherAnne: @HeatherAnne: Congratulations to you! I’m a 0605 and no 846 code yet. Praying it comes soon.
I don’t see any uniformity ; the system is weird
I see people with the same cycle codes as me 0505
That filed and accepted after me( I was accepted 1/21) getting 846; I still have no 846
I have 150,766,768 codes but NO 846
How can people with 0505 cycle code but a later file date than me be getting there 846 before me; is there any explanation for this ?
Does anyone know when 0505
will be updating?
@Tee: I don’t know that’s what I wanna know
When will WMR update off of path? Transcript updated yesterday with 846 code
Still no 846 so I guess I will update Friday. Filed/accepted 1/29. 2/7-transcripts available but blank. 2/14-transcripts filled in with good codes & 0705 cycle code.
I just want to thank all the OGs on this forum! Everything that I know about filing returns and transcripts came from you guys and this forum. Like others, been coming for years, and comment here and there. So thank you for your knowledge, patience, and your help! To everyone else praying your refund to be released quickly in JESUS NAME! It’s coming!
I am 0605 and got the 846 code for 2/24/2025 earlier this morning
I got 846 with 2/24/25 ddd I’m daily 03 but my wmr still showing my path message