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.
@Thealchemist: I got mine before path lifted last year too
@Walter DOG: Mine updated on Friday to all zeros, I am usually weekly but I still have no cycle code. Is that normal as well?
@Thealchemist: So this has been covered to exhaustion. It’s simply not possible. It’s the law. It’s nothing more, nothing less. There is no glitch, no way around it, no holiday that changes it, no employee issue. So with that, have a good one. 😊
@Honeybee82: a pather posted a few days ago she got her refund, also I got my refund before path lifted in 2018. I just checked. So you never know!
So, I finally received the letter early this morning regarding my 2022 return. It was just an adjustment they made, which I was already aware of. So my current transcript is blank with an as of date of 2/10/25. But I have always been a weekly, so my question is will I see anything update today since that’s my as of date?
I’m wondering if I am going to see an update tomorrow? I’ve always been weekly first year as daily.
(Although one year, I did get my deposit two weeks before the path lifted, even though I claimed my two dependence ). I have codes 150,806,766,766.
I am assuming if I get 846 tomorrow that I will get my DDD Friday (Chime). Is there a possibility I might get it earlier?
My cycle code is:20250603
As of:2/17/25
Filed:1/24/25
Accepted:1/24/25
I have topic 152 on WMR, PATHER.
Thanks!
@Walter DOG: Thanks! I was wondering about the update time frames for trans:)
OH by the way my peeps 806 is just federal withholdings not a hold
Top of the morning my peeps hope everyone is has a blessed day Glory be to God updates Tuesday night and Friday morning if your transcripts had 000 last week don’t stress you’ll update this week that’s the new normal
Morning! Any 2/17 folks see any sort of update? transcript, WMR…
@dontknow: no you’re not under review 806 code W2 or 1099 withholdings
I filed and was accepted on January 29th. I am on PATH, I didn’t have transcripts available for this year yet until this past Friday my account transcript for this year updated to all zeros and an as of date of February 24th. I still have no cycle code. Is this normal? I usually in years past have been weekly. Any incite would be greatly appreciated!
@DobbyDo123: I filed 2/3 as of 2/7 got approved with ddd 2/12 also messages stated that refund is less due to taxes owed. I’ve been on monthly payment plan for my offset that’s why it did not come up when I called off set line .. but you can call the offset line and see if they can tell you the exact amounts you owe 1-800-304-3107
@DobbyDo123: they won’t issue the 846 until they get the requested information from you, what I was implying was that when there is an offset, it does not delay a refund. Once an 846 code is given with a date, that day ( usually sooner, depending on bank) is the day refund is deposited.
@Kandikane: no, no need to be concerned. I am in exact same situation. Just haven’t been processed yet.
@dontknow: 150 means return filed 806 just means hold, but usually changes to an 846 pretty quickly, especially if you are on path.
PATHer here with a cycle code of 20250605; as date of Feb. 24th, 2025
I filed and was accepted on January 29th. I am on PATH, I didn’t have transcripts available for this year yet until this past Friday my account transcript for this year updated to all zeros and an as of date of February 24th. I still have no cycle code. Is this normal? I usually in years past have been weekly. Any incite would be greatly appreciated!
@Kandikane: Hello, my transcript sounds like it’s identical to yours. Does your filing status also show as single? Mine says single but I filed jointly with my husband.
@floridadadof2: i have the same notification and my return hasnt been processed. I havent received any notice and I used a pin when I filed. Im not part of path so I expected to have my funds by now
Hi everyone! Happy taxing! Looks like a smooth year things moving accordingly hope I don’t get no more 570 codes🤣
Another day of checking every few minutes to see if SBBT will release funds. I see a lot of 2/12 who have SBBT funded since Friday afternoon and im sure they have been checking every few minutes like me LOL
My transcripts have amounts filled in and a process date of 2/24/25 with codes 150 and 806 but nothing else and WMR has one bar and the tax topic 152 has disappeared. Does this mean I am under review?
@Kandikane: according to the chart they won’t be processing on 2/17 but have an extended processing day on 2/18 to catch up