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.
@Freddie G: please post here if you have anything new. No checks so far, nothing new on my transcripts. If I have new info I’ll post here as well!
@KinFl not logged in: I know takes forever to get in touch with someone why I gave up as well
@Freddie : I tried to call them this morning and was on hold for an hour. I gave up.
@KinFl not logged in: Lol i understand seen some others with same date so maybe we will see something soon atleast we got that 846
@Mary: I pulled my transcripts and it shows As of 6-23-2025
846 refund issued 6-23-2025
CP 0021 6-23-2025
Interest adjustment 6-23-2025
No bad codes. I haven’t gotten a letter yet but it’s just telling me the return was adjusted, I believe.
Oh I just read Freddie G’s post a glitch sounds about right.
@KinFl Usually if a check is being mailed it will have a Friday mail date and it only takes about 3-4 days to get to you. I guess I don’t understand where you are getting a 3 week date with the 846?
@Freddie G: no. Calling the IRS gives me anxiety, so I avoid it at all costs! LOL. I’m guessing if it’s a check, it was issued when the 846 dropped and will be here in a week or 2.
@KinFl not logged in: have you found out when exactly you will be receiving your refund mine has the same date 06/23 as well
@Mary: yes I have 846 for 6-23. I just thought it was weird. I guess I’m getting a check. At least it didn’t take 16 weeks. I’m grateful for that. My as of date is the same.
@Mary: mine updated to same thing date 3 weeks away but I seen some posts that others said it was glitch in system and they had called Friday and theirs had been mailed out
@KinFl You don’t have 846 it will not give you a deposit date 3 weeks away. Its not unusual for you to get a check even when you enter info for a direct deposit. My 2023 amended return issued a check when I asked for a direct deposit.
@Blindian.goddess: thank you no 846 but all good codes generated and a new cycle code with code 290-20252305 so hopefully that 846 comes soon
Hey all! I had to amend my 2024 return this year. Sent it in on April 8th and it processed this morning. The refund was issued with interest, but it has a date 3 weeks from now. I asked for direct deposit. Does that mean they are sending a check? I’ve never amended before…
I called in on Last Friday the 30th and ID verified. On that day I had still processing.I check once a day.This morning the wording changed to your return is being processed. At least I know that when I verified with the rep it went through. Hoping it’s not the full 9 weeks..I’m a Daily
@Blindian.goddess: I know it’s ridiculous. I figured mine would be the full 9 weeks. You should definitely getting one
@Ree: congratulations on that progress. I’m wishing you a DDD update this Friday.