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 āqueueā 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.
@Walter DOG: Thank you! I pray so
@Vee2021: me2 but updated to messages 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. last Saturday but I havenāt processed yet
@DobbyDo123: 971 usually indicates they need more time for one or more reasons. Itās a generic code. The letter will usually tell you what exactly theyāre looking at. If it says 2/17 by the code in your transcripts you should receive the letter by then
@Walter DOG:
Iām stuck on the first bar, message states: We have received your tax return and it is being reviewed.
When I look at my account transcript there are Five codes listed:
150 Filed, cycle 05 (2/17)
806 w2 or 1099 withholding (4/15)
826 credit transferred out (2/17)
826 credit transferred out (2/17)
971 notice issued 2/17
@Amy Spence: I donāt have code 846 on my transcript the last code after the two 826 is notice 971 issued 2/17/25. I donāt see anything in my notices/letters on my account either.
@Yourfavgirl: youāll process this week either Tuesday night or Friday morning nothing to worry about yet
Hello everyone! Filed on 1/27 accepted same day. As of date is 2/17 but transcript is blank. Should I be worried. Seems like something should be filled out by now, some codes or something š©š©š©.
@Fabfammamma: I recived the same and updated 1 week later.No worries yet..give it a litter more time
Go Birds š¦
@Honeybee82: I said this same comment a few days ago! I do trust trends and yes things have changed since 2020 but i think itās a good hypothesis! Letās see in a week!
@Walter DOG:
Thanks for this!! Iām usually a daily but nothing on transcripts other than as of 2/24.
Top of the evening my peeps hope everyone is having a great Super Bowl Sunday but in all things Praise be to God no stressing itās going to be ok transcripts are acting a little weird this year but not to much out the normal major update Tuesday night and Friday morning
My tax return is successfull February 11, 2025 deposit of $8,470 is successfull right now! This is what i intended and manifested. My bills are all paid in full.
My transcript says processing date for 2/24.. also WMR is on 1 bar and I have PATH message. Is that a good sign?
@jnajera: getting that message before transcript has updated with codes is weird usually get 570 code for review so I would assume itās related to income (w2 or 1099) most likely being this early and havenāt updated but not 100 percent sure my most logical guess
@jnajera: if your transcript hasnāt upda
@jnajera: i have the same message. Ive never seen that before.
@GirlfromNY.: a lot has definitely changed, but unfortunately the law is still the same. According to the Path Act, the IRS cannot issue refunds until mid-Februaryā¦.and when they say āissueā, they mean process with the 846 release code. The law prohibits them from processing and releasing funds before the 15th, and the 846 means theyāve officially been released. I switched to a daily this year, so Iāll know for sure by Wednesday if we all get lucky and start seeing those 846 codes. As much as Iām hoping itāll happen, I donāt think weāll be that lucky lol š
@Impatientlywaiting2025: thatās normal message no worries
@DobbyDo123: whatās your codes on transcript that tell me more about the review message on wmr