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.
@TNic: who do you bank with?
Cycle code 20250505
Hoping for update tonight into tomorrow 🥲
Anybody else still waiting for their deposit with a DDD of 2/7?
It blows my mind that they will ask 10 million questions and still not verify. Just got asked about almost everything on my 2022 return and she said “ok, let me finish researching your account”. What the heck. lol
Filed 1/31 and accepted the same day. Only partial transcript says as of 2/24 but still no return filed…
I’m usually daily. I thought I would have my transcripts filled in by now…
Anyone know when my transcripts may fill in?!
Thanks
Filed 2/2/25 accepted the same day. Woke up this morning with money in the bank. I used Turbo Tax paid fees upfront and carried 1 child. They are moving fast this year.
@Amuz1234: mine did that last year I was done so it stop processing until I got my 846 code after path lifts
So I called the offset line and it told me the amounts and the date of Feb 22nd does that mean that’s when I’ll receive my refund? (My transcripts haven’t filled in yet) Also I tried calling the number they give you to find out who the debt it owed to but I keep getting transferred. Will they just send a letter?
@Walter DOG: this is the first year i decided to file before the PATH lift. i usually wait until after it lifts to file but i decided this year to be different. i called in last week and spoke with a really nice agent because i wanted to see if my wife’s w2 was showing up in their system. while i was on the phone with her, i asked her about the PATH lift being on the 15th which is a saturday this year. she looked at it and said the system shows the hold actually being listed as lifting on monday the 17th. i said but the 17th is a fed holiday and she said yes it is but the hold lifts that day so the system can process overnight. thats the only reason i can think of for the as of dates moving
@Walter DOG: I’m daily…possibly something different in the daily vs weekly? I dunno
@Monee: i actually found a trick since they changed the phone system this year. once the new AI voice starts talking and asking you questions. when she says ‘what can i help you with?’, respond with ‘correct an agency error’ and you will be put right in to the live agent queue. if your 21 days ended yesterday, then they cant deny telling you what the issues are. hopefully you find out!
@Amuz1234: that’s the way it’s been since Path your frozen but now some are changing but I’m weekly and mine changed overnight so I’ don’t think it means much because I’m weekly and weekly process early in the morning so boggles my mind
@Stephennotsignedin: i’m going to try that. let’s see. the worst they can do is say no and then I will just ask someone else. lol.
@Walter DOG: I don’t know why the difference either..mine has been stuck at 2/10 as of and hasn’t changed…2/17 processing date ..all good codes and path message
@Jay: Forever. Finally found the sauce. lol. They don’t actually want to help, but now that someone confirmed my 21 days ended yesterday, and that everyone can see that, I’m not letting anyone tell me 21 days from the 27th anymore.
My account transcript is showing but it’s blank it popped up this morning it’s like it was about to update but it stopped. Does that mean it’s a problem?
@Walter DOG: maybe it’s because the 17th a holiday
Seems like everyone except me got a ddd for MA state refund today…. ugh
The wait is over for me! Refund was deposited yesterday evening around 6pm.
@Jay: There’s not to much I don’t know about this stuff been here with Sheila from the start I know what the as of date is but in all my years once your transcript filled out and your on path that as of date has never moved it’s frozen and now this year it’s pushing out even though we’re just waiting on path to lift