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 in 2025 on January 27th.
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 official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.
A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.
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.
Does anybody know a fax number for the irs?
@Mary
Thank you so much for the reply. I truly don’t know what to do at this point.
@Ree
I hope we get an update soon. Still not update for me today. My as of is still May 12, 2025. When you called, how do you get through to a live agent?
@Helpless2025: I’m in the same boat they told me nine weeks then I called again once a week the last call 2 weeks ago they said I was in a 60 review and should have a date by may 30 I have the same codes as you so who knows but my as of is now June 2
https://igotmyrefund.com/talk-to-human-at-irs/
You can try these methods to try to get a hold of someone at the IRS, can’t say it will help much but you can try
@Helpless2025 If you are a weekly the transcripts update on Fridays maybe yours will update.
@Helpless2025 Its that 570 code thats holding it up, but its not a real serious hold. It is a nightmare trying to get a hold of someone at the IRS, but I don’t think it usually takes 9 weeks to get back into processing.
@Mary
I have 150, 806, and 570 codes. I am so frustrated.
@Helpless2025 Do you have any codes on your transcripts? the negative sign on your refund is normal.
I am new to the platform. Came here for some help and guidance. I filed my return on 2/2. Received letter to verify March 2025. Completed verifying on 3/18. After verifying, told it could take up to 9 weeks to receive my refund.
My nine weeks are up and my transcript shows my refund amount as a negative and my “as of” date has been stuck on 5/12. This has been the longest I ever waited for a refund. I have tried calling all IRS numbers and can’t get a live person. This is awful. If anyone has any advice, please guide me in the right direction.
I filed with Tax Slayer, fees taken out of return, direct deposit. I am a weekly (Friday). Please help, anybody.
@Samrick: it updated to my tax return is now being processed no tax topic
@Blindian.goddess: me too they really need to stop doing this and have a better way of handling this if it were money owed to them they would be hassling you or find a way to take it
@Ree: seem we were in the same bought 2 years ago as well. 2 years ago I had to get a tax advocate but I didn’t get my refund until October that year. I am so annoyed and frustrated, I really need my money like ASAP
@Taxgoat: any update on this?
@Blindian.goddess: same it’s bs and I couldn’t get an advocate bc they said wait until June 🙄 2 years ago I got one and got my refund in August
@Ree: my refund is doing the exact same thing. It was 4/21, then 5/19, the. 5/26 now it’s 6/2. These dates etc are ridiculous. I will be calling a tax advocate on 6/2 if I don’t have a DDD the morning of 6/2.
@Nat Bat: Thank you! I hope you get yours soon!
@Yandyy I believe you can. I haven’t ever had to do it so I’m nota big help.
1-800-830-5084
If you were unable to ID Verify online or received the following notices: 4883C, 5071C, 5447C, 5747C, 6330C, 6331C
can i veifty over the phone
Need help with my refund
When am I supposed to get my refund
My as of changed this morning it usually does on Friday not Saturday (weird) but it’s been moving out last week went backwards to 4/21 from may 12 and now it’s at 6/2 smh this is really annoying
Called the irs in Thursday and was told 120 review. I didn’t bother checking my transcripts. Woke up today and decided to check where’s my refund. I have a direct deposit date of 5/14. I guess they really do make things up when you call.
We have reviewed your return and any information we may have requested from you and are now processing your return. Any changes to the status of your refund, including any new refund date, will be reflected here when any new update is available. I GOT THIS MESSAGE AFTER FAXING REQUESTED DOCUMENTS
@Lei: yay!!! So happy for you friend!! Finally!!
@Mel: nothing changed for me last week my as of went from may 12 to apr 21 and today nothing changed