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.
@DebMom: me to thru my chime it was pretty easy..I had been with Tt for over 10years. They said they had a glitch with the rapid refund smh
@Nita: same for me! Accepted on 1/25,1 bar and no path message. As of 2/17 and no return filed on my transcripts smh
I was accepted on 1/25 and haven’t went to path message and my transcripts still say no return filed smh
Also I went back to check on wmr last year and my DDD was for February 22 so idk hopefully it’ll be February 25 since it won’t lift until February 17th 🤞
I just read online that the path act will lift on February 17th because the 15th fell on a Saturday so it will lift on Monday the 17th and I also read that the people on path should start seeing their refund by February 25th and that the IRS will start sending out refunds in two batches one on the 19th and other on the 20th if you don’t believe me Google it yourself that’s what the first thing that pop up when i did it just Google “when does the IRS deposit refund for path” and then you can Google for the other one about the lift and type ” when does path lift 2025″ ….. Hope this helps someone im on path as well and I’m waiting too guys
@Monee: I filed with column tax through them this year instead of turbo lol
@KC: placeholder to put you back in line for processing especially if you are on path
I saw someone post they’re refund of 28k online HOW?!!!
@LWBOSS: I had to ID VERIFY ON 2/1, NO UPDATE YET
Just realized my cash app is Cori rather than Corine last name is correct will they still deposit?
TIA
@VaGal07: mines been on processing for over a week and I was accepted the 21st smh I called they said it’s just still processing. I’ll be on here to update anyone else that’s in the same boat as me whenever I get a update on my state.
This year I filed on January 21st. Accepted same day. Populated with good codes 150, 806, 766, 768. My WMR says the Path message. I’m hoping for a smooth year 🙏🏼💖
@momto4: path has nothing to do with how many kids you claim – even people without kids or who do not claim their kids can be on path. It is IF you get certain child tax credits/additional child tax credits and/or earned income credit (EIC). You do not have to have dependents/children to get EIC, and even if you get the credit for just $1 without claiming kids you will be on path.
@KC: it’s essentially a marker that tells the system when to look at your file again to see if anything needs to be done.
What does the as of date mean?
So I think I’m finally off the Path because only have 2 kids to claim this year as the other 2 are now too old lol! Question: weekly transcripts update Thursday overnight or Friday overnight?
VA state just hit. Filed 1/16. Accepted 1/23. Updated last Friday to DDD 2/07. Deposited tonight on CK card.
@Kj: I have the usual 4 codes, am on Path and unlike @Honeybee82 and others, I stayed as an 05 weekly…unless I’ve become an 05 daily 🤔 But that’s too much to ponder. Lol.
@Kimzie20: I filed on 24th and accepted the same day. I can see mine but I don’t have my path message yet. Blank transcripts with as of date 2/17
@Kimzie20: You can still create your IDme account with your old address showing on your license/id. I just had to go through an additional step and completed the verification via video conference with a representative.
I filed on opening day and still don’t have the path message. I can’t see my transcripts because I haven’t updated my id with my new address. Anyone else in the same situation?
@Honeybee82: i have that plus 766 is this bad for me to have ?
@Kj: I have: 150, 806, and 768. They’re the same three codes I had last year before I updated with the 846. The 806 is just the normal W2/1099 withholding code, so that does seem strange that you would get that some years, but not others. That’s a question Sheila could answer though I’m sure, she’s the expert on transcripts and codes! 😊
@Monee: same day transcripts show 846