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.
@Jocelynn: If you don’t have the “good codes” it won’t freeze. Although there are a few little weird things going on.
@Mommy_3: I have the same info as you. No movement on my transcript. As of date 02/10 and processing date 02/17. I’m wondering if they will update Thursday with a DDD.
As of date still at 2/10… my as of date has never frozen to a date before path lifts, it’s always been after. Wonder if it is going to change tonight.
@Electricdreams: I meant to say my filing status changed because my dependents changed. This yr went back to dependents same thing. I expect it to lift friday
@Tax25: I got that same notification last year because my filing started changed because I had no deoendentw last year. It corrected itself by itself the following Friday. Don’t know if this applies to your situation just a heads up
Remember everyone! 05s can be daily or weekly.
https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
@Walter DOG: Not usually how it works unless they’re looking at past credits but its hard to say this year.
@DTM2025: You just didn’t get the right rep. Some will talk to you before those 21 days.
@Electricdreams: I can’t verify anything because I don’t have a control number. They haven’t sent any letters.
@Tax25: have you verified with id.me?
@Walter DOG: Well… weird. 🤣 IRS likes to keep us on our toes. So, my last posts should’ve said TYPICALLY or USUALLY 😂
@shelleybeanss: do that mean you won’t get your refund or a update until you get that letter?
So a quick breakdown on how it works.
For the PATH…
As soon as you get your good codes you are basically frozen in time until the PATH lifts because there is nothing more that can be done. This simply means that nothing will change from that point on (not even your “As of”) until the 15th (more like after the 17th this year) then the computers will cycle us back through and they’ll say “oh hey, they got the pretty codes. Let’s give them the funds release code now.” Fairly technical so please forgive me. 🤣
Not sure if anyone is in the same boat, I filed my return 1/24/25 and was excepted the same day. Transcript updated a week ago with a as of date of 1/17 but all 0’s. WMR reflects tax return is being processed with tax topic 152… I have a notification stating I need to verify information in order for my return to process. There are no letters that were sent. I called the IRS they advised I could not get any information until after 21 days. I called my local office to schedule an appointment. I was told I could not schedule an appointment until after 21 days… Anyone else having this issue???
@Amy Spence: what if you have code 971 notice issued with the amount 0.00
Lmao!! Calling the IRS before the 21 days is a joke. That’s why I don’t believe what some of yall say! I just called (I have 570 code notice issued) I wanted to call with the code listed under 150 and they would not look up my account AT ALL!! She said. Your tax return is not processed and follow the instructions on the letter when you get it. I’m just going to wait on the letter / this weekend for an update.
@Sheila_33: Good morning my friend hope your feeling better what you make of this year as of dates for Path keeps changing for some usually my is frozen but went from 2-10 to 2-17 when I first updated then on Wednesday it changed to 2-24 and I’m weekly and others did to not just mine this boggles my mind usually their frozen any insight
@Ms. O: All good codes here as well. My cycle code is 04 this year. It was 05 the past several years, maybe that has something to do with it.
@DanInTX: I’m an as of 2/10 and I have the good codes but I’m a PATHer and waiting on the lift so I’m basically “frozen” until it lifts so nothing (even my as of) won’t change.
@Walter DOG: Good morning, 0605 is weekly, correct?
@DanInTX: I have all good codes and transcripts have been filled in since last week but my as of date is Feb 10th as well. Not sure what to make of it.
@Amy Spence: Not a pather, just normal refund. Don’t know why code 846 isn’t appearing and my tax topic 152 is gone.
@Sheila_33: no just the normal refund from overpayment of tax. Do you know why my tax topic 152 would have disappeared?
Good morning guys. My transcript still says 2/10. I’ve noticed most people on path are saying theirs updated to 2/17 or 2/24.
@SennaGoFast: this is why I went with freetax because the waiting is ridiculous with TT and Sbbt
@Justin0255: later in the year. I think usually around August if I remember