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.
Transcripts have yet to update, and WMR says this: “We received your tax return and are reviewing it. If we need additional information, we’ll mail a notice with further instructions.” What are some reasons this might happen?
My account balance changed to this message any help
Please
“ Your Information Is Not Available at This Time
If you requested an adjustment to your account your information will not be available until that transaction is complete.”
@Valentine M: i still got empty acct transcript and my return hasnt popped up yet im waiting for any code at this point but the way things been going ill c my 846 wit the other codes at the same time lol i got my path msg in my email from TT lol that never happened and im still seeing the 1 bar just wish irs quit playin games n just process when they get in and release boom al this wording change and diff situations when we finally can track our stuff on our own its rediculous n draining like fr lol
I was wondering if anybody has ran into this issue:
“Did you receive an IRS return verification notice in the mail?
(You will need this notice to continue with this online service. If you received a notice, but don’t have it with you, please come back later.)
Verify Your Notice
It tells me the letter will have a 14 digit number to enter for verification
I wonder what the issue could be. I have an ID verify pin that I entered this yea….
@Lost in Space: i noticed yesterday i saw a + sign and now i see a 0.00 many differences i see as well i got my PATH msg in my emil from TT not on my wmr site , but on wmr site its big blank on top of my one sentence so who knows i wanan c my codes populate tho lol for that 846 lets go!!!! ;
And I meant the 0.00 stays overnight Saturday thru mid day Sunday then the plus comes back. I reversed it 😂
@Lost in Space: it may be a little different this year. Most years the plus has stayed overnight Saturday thru mid day Sunday. Been in here for years and haven’t seen it vary too much but I also had never seen anyone’s transcripts update Saturday night and Harry’s did last night. It’s an odd year for sure. I have had no update to transcripts or WMR but got an email from tr saying my refund was approved and is on the way. I don’t know what to make of this year. Last year was a dumpster fire
@shelleybeanss: usually mine stays with the + sign till after path. @Walterdog has been posting about slight differences this year, and im seeing similar. Mine had been a + sign, and rhen mid-day changed to a balance of 0.00…and then back to +sign this morning.
@Fabfammamma: sending all the positive vibes you get your refund soon! Last year was a hot mess! We all need a smooth year this year
@Lost in Space: it does that every Saturday night overnight
And now the + sign is back for 2024 balance. Prior to last night’s maintenance, it changed to 0.00. Anyone else have that happen?
@shelleybeanss: thank you so much. I will wait patiently. Last year I didn’t get my refund until April so I will assume it will be the same as last
@Fabfammamma: this is normal. You’re just not processed yet
Filed ajan 31 and WMR showed received shortly after. Received this message on my return transcript
On February 09, 2025, we received a request for verification of non-filing of
a tax return.
As of the date of this letter, we have no record of a processed tax return
for the tax period listed above.
If you have any questions, you can call 800-829-1040.
@Allen: I will honestly be surprised, and it would be completely out of the norm for the IRS to update on a holiday weekend. Soonest we will most likely see updates is the 18th/19th.. in 2020 when the 15th fell on a Saturday we didn’t start seeing updates until those days. So I’m figuring the pattern will repeat this year.
@Harris: In JESUS name!
Gm People! Praying your day is blessed in J
@Monee: Yes. I have the normal message.
From my experience walking path every since it began is 846 will show up on Sunday 2/16 for most all pathers.
@Deano: thank you. I wil rest my case until next week.
Good morning all eight Days left
Until Good bye to Path act
Transcripts are available as of 7:00am Eastern Time 😎
@Amgele: 99 percent chance that you’re fine and nothing bad will pop up
I have updated transcript overnight says processing date 2/24 but no dd date yet
@Harris: As you were 😊
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: Service Outage: February 9th
This service is unavailable for maintenance. Thank you for your patience.