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.
@Walter DOG: weekly pushed out.. weird that it happened during the week.
Let’s see if we can figure out why this year as of dates are pushing out for some on path and staying for others on path like years past if your as of date changed post if your daily or weekly or if it stayed frozen post if your daily or weekly I’m thinking just the weekly’s are pushing out and daily are staying frozen but not sure yet
I just got a email from TT stating an update from WMR around the 22nd for Earned income and Child tax credits with a deposit date of march 3. Did anyone else get this email?
@Walter DOG: yeah last year mine froze but my cycle codes was 04 last year. This year it’s back to 05 so I’m confused and worried lol this just all over the place.
Interesting. Transcripts updated overnight. Last year and 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 I had the same cycle code ending in 03. This year it changed to 04. What does all this mean?
Code 150 – Cycle 20250604 Date 02/24/2025
Code 768 Date 04/15/2025
Could it be a hold up, if you changed your address ?
@Brit0210: No need to look too much into the processing or as of date, just need to wait for path to lift to get a refund date.
@naughtyrockets: *Normally* once you verify you go right into processing like normal with no delay (so an update within 2 weeks for most). Now there are exceptions…but they aren’t the norm.
@angelae: If you go back to the irs website where you log into your account there is a list of all the codes and definitions you just have to look around you find it. That’s what I did.
Ok, I’m having to “verify” my return. I’m waiting on the gd letter. What should I expect time wise to get my refund after I verify? I called 2 times and they won’t verify me until I have the letter. I’ve seen some people on here being able to verify without the letter. It’s so damn frustrating.
@Lisa in Atlanta: The 5 day early from TT is fine for people on path. The 5 days early doesn’t kick in until the IRS gives you a deposit date anyways.
@HappyInNc: Damm thats good and fast. i thought mine was fast mine took 10 days to get
I filed my taxes yesterday and still have not been accepted. It’s never taken this long to be accepted. I usually file with freetaxusa but this year I used turbotax and elected the refund advance loan. Could that be why it’s taking so long? Anyone else have a similar experience? How long did it take you guys to get accepted this year?
I’m a parher, filed on 1/27 accepted the same day, last 5 years I’ve been a weekly, this morning checked my transcripts and cycle code is 20250604 with a date of 2/24, so now a daily, I also have the following codes; 150, 766, 766, 768, as of date is 2/17… do I need to look at the processing date or the as of date?
@Black_Byrd (not logged in):
Mine has gas pending for quite some time. I filed on January 31t
Haven’t received anything saying it was accepted yet
@Ashl3y: Yeah, TT really milked the pooch on that $25 early refund money grab.
If you are a PATH filer, they shouldn’t have even had that option on the checkout.
@HappyInNc: only for some, and it’s for very few. Anyone with eitc or actc can’t move fast. Very simple returns with zero changed information tend to move a little faster. But it is still not very common to process in less than 2 weeks
@angelae: you’re waiting for the PATH to release.
anybody with capital one DD 2/6 received their refund yet? its my first year with C1
@CrazedinGA: it doesn’t protect against hikes per se. It protects against someone fraudulently claiming those credits. Thousands upon thousands of tax returns processed for years claiming children that weren’t there’s and credits that they didn’t qualify for. This is what happens when too many people defraud the system
@Ashl3y: they automatically refund the $25 if you don’t get your refund up to 5 days early
Question processing date 2/24/2024 also on code 150 and cycle ending 02 what does this mean? Will i need to process again on 2/24/2025 I have codes 150 806 766 768 whats next ? Will I not get a refund