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.
@Gators352: Hey Gator! ☺️
@mommyto6andcrazy: probably update with 846 on Wednesday and receive the deposit that evening.
transcript codes
As of March 10
Cycle 20250702
Date with Cycle March 3
Can I realisticly get a DDD for this week, since I put it to my Paypal I should get it when the 846 code is issued
I need to watch it as close to realitime as possible because my PayPal has been hacked- and despite securing it as best as possible, I am worried that they still have access and will take the refund amt. Mind you they already got around 2K from my acct (paycheck) causing me to be flat broke right now
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: you’re right and I agree it was just a theory this year things have been strange with the whole dates all over the place. The 2/17 processing dates is confusing because shouldn’t the refund be processed by that day. And why have some changed and some have not? If anyone knows the answer please share. Because this is what’s confusing me.
It’s the final countdown for some.. this tax year was a weird one for a lot of people, let’s hope the next couple of days go smoothly.
@Sheila & Waltdog Just peeking in to say hello it’s been a while hope all is well…. I see you are still helping the newbie’s I’ve been busy I may jump in again
@It’sbrinaa: 846 will probably post to your transcript on Wednesday and if you have a no holds bank you could potentially receive your direct deposit that same day.
Pather. filed 1/29 accepted same day. Cycle code 01. As of 3/10 and processing date 3/3. Transcripts have codes 150 766 and 768. Wmr is on one bar. When will I update ?
So just to clarify timeline of 2020: 2/15/2020 was a Saturday, 2/17/2020 Monday was Presidents day, 2/18/2020 Tuesday people posted WMR changed to Your Tax Refund is being processed, 2/19/2020 Wednesday people started posting 846 on their transcripts and some people received their deposit that same day.
Looking back on 2/18/2020 people posted that WMR changed to your tax return is being processed. 2/19/2020 people started positing around 1:00 a.m. EST 846 appearing on their transcripts. I think this year will follow the same pattern.
@wade123: It’s possible it could change to a 571. Sometimes, whatever triggered the 570 can be resolved internally by reconciliation with info the IRS has on file. So, we cross our fingers and see what happens. :)
@WorriedTX: if your transcript populated with all good codes then you will see an update on transcripts Wednesday if daily.. Friday if weekly with that magical 846.. Good Luck
@Impatiently waiting: 05 can be daily or weekly. Check Wednesday to see if your 846 was placed then you will know for sure whether you are a 05 daily or 05 weekly. If you update along with dailies Wednesday then you are a 05 daily..Good Luck
Anyone else waiting on a letter to i d verify. I have a IP pin still required to I d verify. Filed and excepted January 27. Nothing on transcript
So, I think I am weekly that turned daily. Processing date has stayed at 2/17 but as of changed from 3/3 to 3/10.
If I did change to daily, I should still see a transcript update this week (hopefully with an 846) right?
If I didn’t change and I’m still weekly, then an update on Friday with 846?
@Mike l: you have to process one more time for the 846 to be placed. Good luck
Hi. Haven’t been in here in years bc I’ve owed the last 3 years but finally I’m getting a refund this year. I filed last Thursday 2/13 – checked my transcripts this morning and I have the 846 already for 2/21 – cycle 01. The irs didn’t even give me a chance to stress about it there year. Fasted 846 ever- 2 kids
Processing date of 03/03.
Had same date last year and got deposit on 02/22. Hoping this year goes the same!
@Tk: It is more likely that you will see update to transcript on Wednesday as today was not a processing day for anything to appear on your transcript.
@Maybe just Maybe: but last year the 15th did not fall on a weekend before a holiday. This happened back in 2020 so you can search the archives to see when people started updating following the 15th falling on a weekend before a holiday. People did not start posting 846 appearing on their transcripts until Wednesday morning as transcripts will go back into processing tomorrow.
@LJ: transcripts will not update until tomorrow going into Wednesday. The IRS was closed today so nothing was processed for today.
@Maybe just Maybe: my processing date is 2/17 and I’m as of date is 3/10 I still think I will update tomorrow
@Impatiently waiting: most 05s are weekly but some 05s can be daily.