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.
@Golly3112: I wouldn’t worry about them, they like to flip flop around.
@ErisedMai: yes, planning to! Thank you! Was mainly curious about the as of dates since I saw some posts about some changing to 2/24. The IRS makes me nervous so any little thing makes me think something is wrong. Lol
@Golly3112: meant to say no path credits
@Golly3112: Check for an update tonight after midnight/tomorrow.
I’ve been trying to keep up here, but I’ve been so busy that I’ve missed a lot. I’m usually a weekly. No credits and no fees. Only have a blank 2024 Account transcript with as of 2/17. I see some had their as of dates pushed out. Is my date staying 2/17 a good thing? Transcripts have shown my new address since last week. But I’m worried because my husband didn’t change our address with his job and his W2 showed our old address. Hoping that isn’t going to cause any issues. No other changes. Just two W2 with same two kids we’ve claimed for the last 13 years.
@Azluckyfish: Definitely wait, only amend after you receive your refund unless they hold it up.
@Sheila_33: Hey Sheila hope your feeling better look I’m boggled by something remember in past when you got good codes and on path your as of date was frozen but this year some changed from 2-10 to 2-17 and yesterday some of us weekly as of dates changed again to 2-24 and we’re weekly what you think this is first time my as of dates have ever moved while on path
@LWBOSS: I’m still waiting
@Annieboo: well here’s to some good luck your way as well.
I’ll check in the morning before I start my day.
@Introvert_taxtime: I’m in the exact same position. Hoping to update tonight. 🤞🤞🤞
Good luck to all looking for some positive movement tonight.
@Azluckyfish: I got a 1099-misc after already filing and I wasn’t sure what to do either, but when I looked it up on TT, it said to wait until you’ve gotten your refund to amend.
So I just received a 1099c after I already filed my taxes my transcript updated last week with all good codes 150 766 768 do i amend it or wait till after I get my refund the 1099c is for $1990
@gratefulmag777: I sure hope this big transcript update includes me.
I filed 1/31 with TurboTax and paid fees upfront. I have the non-filing message too. As of 2/24 is all I can see with head of household…
Last 3-4 years I’ve been a daily.
@jemar707:
Daily-
Date accepted: Feb 7 – Feb 13, 2025
Transcript Update: 02/19/2025
WMR Update: 02/20/2025
Direct deposit: 02/24/2025
Jan 16 – Feb 14, 2025 (PATH)
Transcript Update: 02/19/2025
WMR Update: 02/20/2025
Direct deposit date: 02/24/2025
Weekly-
Date accepted: Feb 7 – Feb 13, 2025
Transcript Update: 02/21/2025
WMR Update: 02/22/2025
direct deposit date 02/26/2025
Date accepted Jan 16- Feb14 (PATH)
Transcript update:02/21/2025
WMR update: 02/22/2025
Direct deposit date: 02/26/2025
@cbrooking77: that just means you have requested your transcript from the IRS and at this time they do not have a record. Mostly saying they have not processed your full return. Tonight is a big update so you may see that begin to fill in around 3am depending on your location and they update throughout the day I believe…
I checked my transcripts and it said Verification on Non-filing Letter what is this I can’t see any info on my return
@ArMomma_22: and m from Arkansas not yet
Is there anyone else in Virginia that your state refund was accepted the 21st and is still on processing?? Or am the only one lol waiting for a date.
@jemar707: W24X mutation involving the connexin-26 gene