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.
@LV: lol okay!
I’m a pather and I just got my refund I’m shocked & a little confused but I’m not complaining lol good luck to you all!
@Kj: There are income limits for Earned Income Credit. It is very low, so if you are single with zero dependents then the limit is $18,591 so if you make over that you will not get EIC. If you’re married with zero dependents then the limit is $25,511 so again if you make over that you will not qualify.
@mommy_3 I was wondering the same thing. I filed 1/24 and accepted the same day. Updated to as of date of 2/17 on the 31st. No movement since. WMR says still processing. Tt152 disappeared
@NYtaxwaiter: Unlike the irs, NY state updates through out the day at random times stopping at around 7pm, but it’s Monday-Friday. I have never seen it update in a weekend.
Transcripts just sitting at 2/17….no change. Wonder does this mean we will get pushed back at the next weekly transcript update OR do we possibly actually have a 2/17 processing date even though it’s a holiday???
My transcripts are blank my status is has been filed yet but I update to a messages Action required We received your return and sent you a letter requesting more information. Please respond by following the instructions in the letter. If you don’t respond, your refund amount could be changed. It may take 2-3 weeks for you to receive the letter. I’m confused on you request more information and haven’t ran me thru the system at this time
Correction : to not get eic
I’m also trying to figure how anyone
ISNT PATH ?? Because even if no dependents actc , then wouldn’t any worker still have Eic even if just a little bit because of working period ? I don’t understand what kind of income these non pathers have to get eic?????
I’m still trying to figure why I have all good codes but my as if date is still 2/10 and processing date is 2/17…
Then this morning I got an email from TT tax saying my refund advance can’t be paid until my return is accepted ??? I was accepted 1/21 and DIDNT EVEN APPLY FOR REFUND ADVANCE
I filed and accepted on 1/31 ..unable to see transcript.. I do know I am a weekly .. I have path credits and I usually update on Sat but no update for me .. wmr says we have received your tax return with my 152 tax topic .. I just find it weird I didn’t update like usual.. I’ll keep u updated .. any 1/31 in the same boat??
Path message updated today filed with Turbo tax on the 24th accepted the 25th transcripts updated yesterday s
I filed and accepted 1/30, no PATH. I thought WMR would update for me today but no such luck
@SJJ: Just checked my transcript this morning and happy to say my code on the EITC changed from 765 to 768.
@Introvert_taxtime: here’s hoping to that update on the transcripts. That’s what I’m hoping for too
@Introvert_taxtime: I filed and was accepted on the 31st. Transcripts filled out several days ago. I’m just waiting on the 846
I think when path lifts it doesn’t matter about daily or weekly’ only thing going on is 846. I think 846 will hit Sunday 2/16 for most all pathers.
@ErisedMai: ahhh okay makes sense. Well we still have to wait a week and a half. Let’s see how it goes.
@Sharmaine: me too congratulations the wait is over
@Zombie girl: yes because they are moving pretty fast this year
@Justin05255: Normal deposits can happen same day, its just most transactions send a sort of “pre-notification” of an incoming deposit and the money isn’t actually sent until that day. That’s how they end up knowing when your direct deposit is. The IRS sends them a notification that a deposit will be coming in for whatever date, once they get that notification they send the money directly to your bank instead of waiting. It’s kinda like getting a loan on your own money for 5 days.
@ErisedMai: I wonder if it’s gonna be sent via wire transfer and that’s how they guarantee 5 day early 🤔
@Justin05255: Cross river bank processes the 5 day early feature from TT.
@NYtaxwaiter: I just got a ddd of 2/11 today this morning said processing
@Tiberius: column tax and Chime is the bank
Hello all. I’m on path as well everything’s updated and good to go. My question is. How is turbo tax sending the refunds if we paid the 25 dollar extra (I know I know not use it next year) but which company will be issuing them? I bank with SOFI and just read the disaster last year with refunds. Can anyone tell me which company will be processing those refunds I know it’s usually SBTPG but this year with the 25 what is the other company’s name?
I will sign in later. But I’ve been reading all these comments. Just fyi. 88% of tax returns never get reviewed by a human. And that’s facts. They only review ones that get flagged..Some just random..some for the smallest reason. And some because you’re lying flat out and you know it. And it doesn’t matter if you filed first than someone else and you get mad they get a return first. Once you file it goes into a random system.
@Sharmaine: ok then that could mean I’m hopefully a daily and will update Tuesday
Since you filed 6 days before me. I’m
Hoping! Congrats on getting your ddd!!! If I get any updates I’ll be sure to post to let y’all know! 💜
@Ugauno94: You’re probably weekly
@MomOf2KY: tax return filed
@Ugauno94: it’s a cycle code for processing
Seems like those of us that filed the 30th and 31st are still waiting for transcripts to update.
I’m guessing Monday into Tuesday?
I’ve been daily the last 3-4 years
Hey ya’ll. So used Chime this time. I have used TT in the past. Was able to use SBPTG to track it, does anyone know what chime uses? Thanks
Tib
@Mina Mina: Hello, following because I am in the same boat. I was accepted 1/30 and my transcripts have still not populated.
@Zombie girl: mines said that until this morning woke up to all transcripts filled in with 846 2-12 DDD