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.
Now I am confused. For the past couple of days, my balance on the main screen on my IRS account said $0 due for 2024. Now that has disappeared over night.
Grand rising my fellow Pathers and Pathers ONLY. Just old ok it’s coming! Mass update this week and the next few weeks! I’ll be checking back on Friday morning for sure!
Processing date 2/24
As of 3/3
Filed 1/27
Wmr PATH message
TT 152
Refund amount missing
@Sheila_33: good morning Sheila I was going to ask you will 05 dailies be processing tomorrow as well lol I guess this is the time to know for sure who is actually 05 dailies. hopefully I’m one of them 🤞🏽
@Buckey12: If you’re being held by path, regardless what cycle 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 daily you are, you’re gonna process tomorrow. That’s the Sheila that is really needing some donuts lol
Should I even check wmr or trans this morning? Lol
If I were to channel my inner Sheila_33, she would say since today is a holiday, there will be double processing for daily 01 and 02 tomorrow, and their wmr will update Wednesday.
All that said, this year is tracking just like the 2019 transcript (refund issued in 2020). 15th was a Saturday that year and president’s day was the 17th. The only x factors are if you did/didn’t pay fees up front and your banking institution (the nhb scenario).
@Sheila_33: Thank for correcting me
#Mama Bear: “As of” dates have a purpose but not so much when the return is under path.
WMR always update day after Transcripts
Cycle codes
01- Transcripts update on Monday
02-Tuesday
03- Wednesday
04-Thursday
05-Friday
As of dates don’t mean anything it’s for IRS use only
@Keishalove33: good morning thank you for responding. And yes I have exactly the same info on my transcripts like you with same codes. I hope it’s good news. Glad I’m not alone 😁
Not sure if this helps, but i l dont think there will be an update due to it being president day.
as was expected,same ol path message/1 bar on WMR and no updates on trans but as of date pushing up a week to 3/3 last week…ugh. Hope they just process all finished pathers tomorrow as dailies and clear the backlog
Still no changes
Still on need information on IRS site I’ve sent in everything I have so hopefully some movement this week hopefully
@Stephennotsignedin: thank you
I will definitely be in the forum in the a.m. with my update and to see others! See you all later!
@Harris: hey, yes Did that last year my transcript updated on Tuesday or direct deposit date for the 29th which was a Thursday and looking back at my Chime account it came on the 27th Tuesday morning around eight something so hopefully it does it this week maybe some insight for everyone
@Monee: 🙏 praying for you to update by Friday 🙏🙏🤞🤞🤞🤞
@757VAPather: amen to that. So glad you didn’t have to go through id verify. I’m entering week 5 with no updates. I finally verified last Wednesday so I’m hopeful this week. I’m taking it as sign that my 2024 is now randomly showing 3/3 after being frozen on 2/10. I know it could be worse and I’m hoping nothing else happens and that I get to update with the weekly pathers on Friday.
@Lizzy201: as of date don’t matter that 846 does at the end of the day congratssss that datte beside that 846 is the golden line n dep depends on ur bank u should c it before if I have a early deposit like cashap or chime etc for example
@Harris: amen yess let’s go!!!
@Jaina: my as of and processing date is 3/3 as well
@Harris: thank you Harris
@Electric: Well, I hope not but it could be worse I suppose. Here’s hoping we don’t get reviewed on top of it.
Good morning people! I think we will see a lot of 846 for 2/20 Tuesday morning. Let it be so! Everyone have a blessed and positive day in JESUS NAME!
@caliheart: On path and filed 01/18