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.
@Monee: same
@Mandie: same here I DID NOT get my refund,lol.unchecked it ,other things updated ,that wont ,wonder why.
@Impatientlywaiting2025: you haven’t processed yet and until it’s fully processed, it’s considered not filed yet. That letter appeared when transcripts were accessed/requested but your return wasn’t done yet
??? so a lot of weeklies, like me ,went from “as of date 2/17 ” to “as of date 2/24” mid week sometime ,instead of Fri morning update, as usual,with no other apparent changes, but at least some say they didn’t…any news??
@Monee: Thank you. Yes it is still normal :)
Does anyone know why it says 2024 record of non filing? Even though I filed?
@jemar707: I unchecked that but it doesn’t seem to reflect on here
@jemar707: mine won’t go away. It’s not checked on my details but it’s still there.
Just checking to see if it still says i got my refund. Ignore me
@Jennnyontheblah: if you’re weekly check your transcripts tomorrow. I wouldn’t worry if you wmr message is still the normal one.
@all
Remember to update your filing details for the year in your user profile. Some of them still say I Got My Refund!
@Justagirl: The IRS says a specific date every year, and every year people get their refund before that date. Also wording matters. It says BY march 3rd, but ON march 3rd.
@VA757pather: same foe me ,and others, 17th to 24th…but not fri ,like midweek sometime,wierd
@Stargazing: Your forum topics always have the most replies!
🙌🏼
https://igotmyrefund.com/forums/forum/general-discussion/2025-tax-season/
Hi guys,
I just got to check my transcripts and I don’t have any codes. Says no return filed yet. I was accepted 1/27. Previous years I have been weekly. Has anybody else who was accepted then have nothing on their transcripts? Just curious if I should worry yet.