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.
@Tax25: sorry your having problems but it sounds like id verify but here’s a way to know for sure google irs id verify online and go through the steps if it says we’re unable to provide assistance then you don’t need to id verify if it lets you go further and wants control number you do try that my friend
@Veearizona23: Look at your Processing Date
@kj: No notices or bad codes. That’s what makes it odd we didn’t update to 2/24 like others. I wouldn’t bother calling. I know either we’re pushed back to the next update or by some strange chance 2/17 really is our processing date.
Hi my as if date is still 02/10 hasn’t changed , I have all good codes so far and tax topic 152 , I am on path should I be worried ? I’m cycle 04
@Mommy_3:
my as of date has been the same as well.. i was accepted 1/21 early am like 5 am.i havent noticed many people with our same as of and processing dates. do you have any bad codes or id verify i had none of that nor notices. i call irs but when i select all the prompts to speak to a person it goes quiet as if on hold and it stayed like that for an hour then i hung up noone answers.
my mom’s refund was deposited overnight even though her DDD was set for this monday, the 10th. she has an as of date of 2/24 still and WMR still shows as 2/10 deposit date as well.
@Maggie t: 2/17/25 not 2/14/25
Good Morning , I filled 1/24/25 and got accepted by Irs 1/25/25 . I updated on Tuesday with as of 2/14/25 code explanation of transaction cycle 20250602 date 2/24/25 I am on path WMR says and I have topic 152 codes 150 806 766 768 . Whats next? What does this all Mean and when Can I receive My refund? What happens after code 768
@Mommy_3: i got my state and my PATH msg came in an email from TT yesterday lol on wmr site i still got one bar but its blank right above my ONE sentence… im sho trying to be one of thos early deposit PAThers on my soul lol congrats to all who did happy spending n handling business weekend for yaw!!!!
Historically on here, folks let us know they got their refund and we don’t hear from them til the next tax season….just saying.
@LV: congrats!! yes this season people are seeing there early and arent even updated wmr, thats awesome happy spending n taken care of Bizness lol cus u already know what we goata do, and yea the hate is real just negative energy to ignore, enjoy your weekend.. i received my state early way earlier than expected and grateful ya feel me the irs will run us thru the ringer full fo suprises wont they lol hgd tho
Wait so legit PATH people got deposits??? Like how many? Are they logged in with a profile so we can compare info? Please share…
@Walter DOG: Can I get you or Sheila to respond to this for me please. I’m so nervous Lol! I have been coming here for years. Hope you can drop some knowledge for me.
So… I filed my return 1/24/25 I was accepted immediately, transcript updated a week ago to as of date 1/17 but blank. Still nothing for account transcript. I do see an alert that says I need to verify before my return can be processed- however I have no record of letters or notices sent. WMR shows “we have received your refund and it is being processed” with tax topic 152… I’ve never had this happen before. Nothing changed for me this year. I’m hoping I dnt have to verify but if so why isn’t there record of notice on file?
@LV: Thank you for clarifying I would just take my money and go lol ppl on here are realy upset that other ppl got their refunds early like being mad about it is gonna change that lmaooo
@Walter DOG: I updated on transcripts yesterday
Account transcript good no bad codes
My wage transcript is still blank though does this mean anything. How long till it updates wage transcript should thus worry me that my wage transcript is blank
Oh brother no one is “feeding egos” obviously ppl are getting their refunds early this year that’s it that’s all stop being a hater it’s not a good look 😂
@Walter DOG: good morning and thank you.
@Walter DOG: Thank you!
@Chris: that’s the way it’s all ways been your return is frozen until path lifts trying to figure out why their pushing out this year your good
Top of the morning my peeps ,stop feeding these peoples ego that says their on Path and got refund it’s not possible period we go through this every year no staff shortages crap no one looks at your return it’s all done by computer unless the system puts a code on your transcript for a person to look at it like 570, 424 which turns into 420 so again it’s law and no one on Path slips through not possible thank you my peeps
So if my account transcript populated but didn’t fill out on Wednesday will I not update again till next Wednesday? It has an as of date but also says no return filed.