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:I meant there credit imputed incorrectly or withholding off or wages was put in wrong that’s what I’m seeing people say about there 570 I’m not stressing it bc what will be will be God will come through when I need him to. I’m just trying to help others who have this code and I also seem people get 570 and by there next update they got 571 with 846
@Monee: thank you. Yea the ones in seeing with the 570 have it bc they just realized there withholding was off or there wages was off or some credit was calculated correctly and was invited wrong
I need the little bit of coins I am getting😂
@Deano: I hope so! It’s just that that’s a holiday. I’m with you lol.
@Mrs.Navarro0823: I filed same day as you and accepted same day the 3rd as well. Everything you said is the same with me..
Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions.
What does this mean???
@Stephen: your good to go those are the path codes and just waiting on 846 when path lifts
All Path act will not get released
Until 02/17/ most likely see DDD
02/18 thru 02/21 if no issues with return all good codes last year I received my refund on 02/16 around 2pm as of date 02/17
Process date 02/17 this year 🙂
Path lift is the 02/17 look it up for your self Google
Filed 1/29 accepted same day, blank transcripts with processing 2-17 and blank as of 2/24 anyone else? Wmr stuck on accepted
768 is EITC
@Maggie t: You’re a daily Pather with Processing date on 2/24. I think it means, depending on your bank you could see your refund sometime the week of the 17th. I think!
@Afraz: @Afraz: Everything should be fine with the PATH message. If still is being processed then you not ready to go.
@Stephen: after doing some digging it seems like the 570 means they are trying to verify something and can reverse pretty fast. Mostly I have seen that something was different between what is on tax return and what was reported to irs. I don’t think you have to worry about getting that code. You should be good.
@Maggie t: Anyone can help by answering
Does the PATH message on WMR at least mean anything positive? Like our returns are good to go and not flagged or anything? If there’s an issue do people still get the PATH message?
@Fran999: I don’t know if this is something new, but I actually received a 401k payment in my Varo account on a Sunday around 8:30pm 2 weeks ago.
@Fran999: per IRS as of today:
Why we hold your refund
By law, we can’t issue EITC or ACTC refunds before mid-February. This includes your entire refund, not just the part that’s related to the credit you claimed on your tax return.
If you claim the EITC or ACTC, we may need more information from you about your return. If we do, we will send you a letter.
@Walter DOG: 150,806,766,768 is the codes I have