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.
@2442blu: yes this is really the only question left.
@Justamom32: nope
If we have all good codes does that mean we are done a waiting on the 846 or can you still update to bad codes ?
I believe that processing resume
02/18/25 at 3:00am Eastern Time
@Beautiful blessings: if your a 05 daily you will process along with all dailies tomorrow and update on transcripts Wednesday. if your a 05 weekly you will process Thursday and update on transcripts on Friday… Good luck
@Dsand2019: yes, Spruce is a NHB. I’m using it for the first time this year and my state was deposited early 😊
Hi all. If have all good codes and are on path, are we technically done processing?
@Sam I am: no updates on federal holidays
@Beautiful blessings: since you end in 05 you’re weekly. Weekly peeps have mass updates Fridays/into saturdays for transcripts then WMR but can also update any day of the week
I believe there should be some movement in the AM with transcripts as today was set to be the day that the PATH should be lifted
If we have all good codes does that mean we are done a waiting on the 846 or can you still update to bad codes ? Also I’m 0405 is there away to tell if I’m weekly or Daily?
Hey guys, I know that it’s all supposition, but I filed 1/20 and am daily code 20250602 and my processing date shows 2/24. I usually get my refunds the day of or day after Path lifts, I get my money before WMR even updates traditionally. I file through Jackson Hewitt refund advance and loaded onto American Express card through Jackson Hewitt. With today being Presidents’ Day does anyone know if we will see any updates today? Also any PATHERS get approved or received refund yet?
Has anyone seen an update to their transcripts? Weekly or not? Mine are completely done. Just waiting for the release code. But I’ve not seen a single person with path say they have 846.
@Tan: I have regions this year and I am curious as well
Anybody know if the spruce card with hr block is a nhb?
@Tamika J.: just go on the IRS site and ID yourself. You don’t have to wait till the letter come.
@Momdeuce: you can can claim him and then he can also claim himself. Just make sure he checks the box that says “someone else can claim me as a dependent “ my daughter is 19 and this is how we did it two last years. You just get a little bit less because of his age
Has any here gotten their refund with regions? If so, how do they deposit?
@WorriedTX: you are gonna get conflicting replies to this. But Imi believe when they start releasing tomorrow if your already processed they will release dailies and weeklies(for me has never mattered in past 5 years) I am a weekly always got 846 when oath lifted. Some think differently and think weeklies won’t change til friday
@ky606gurl: 01s process on Fridays and can update on transcripts Saturdays and Mondays.
@Momdeuce: You could file him for the EIC and he could file his own taxes and put he was claimed. He will receive the federal withholding that were deducted from his income as a refund.
Does 01 cycle update on Mondays or Fridays? I’ve seen conflicting info
@Momdeuce: I believe you can claim him as an extra dependent and he can also file for himself. Did he turn 18 last year? If so, he needs to file his own
@CrazedinGA: My processing date says 3-3-25, so i compared it to last year which was 3-11-2024.. my refund was sent on 2-26-24 of last year.. like two weeks before the processing date.