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.
@Sheila_33: I’m 04; this entire time I thought I was weekly
@LMF: seems like it went pretty smooth for you this year to say the least. Good ish! Hope we all see that 846 soon
Daily processing today for all dailies, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05! Good luck all you dailies, hoping everything goes smoothly.
I only qualify for ctc** not actc
A little late to respond – but this was the fastest 846 for me ever but I did not have path. I always have been a 05 weekly for forever too – but I’m not sure if since I owed the last 3 years it switch me to daily now (01 now). I do have 2 kids but I don’t qualify for ctc so there was nothing holding my return.
Was it supposed to be an update today for transcripts or wmr for weeklies?
My state finally update with a ddd.! Yay.
@MousyMouse: mine just switched to not showing amount either. I’m sure we are ok.
@Tia: lol definitely. Lol them phone lines are going to be swamped. Bet the system for the online transcripts will break too from all the attempted inquiries.
@Truth80: Wow, that comment is so biased and incorrect.
Hey everyone, I hope all is well. Just out of curiosity has anyone had any updates what so ever or is this a question better suited for tomorrow evening?
@K.Nichelle: yes, exactly how I remember it. Too many fraudulent returns. We’re talking in the 10s of millions and a high percentage of those fraudulent returns are generally for people that aren’t even alive anymore. Nasty work how people do to try and come up!
IRS is gonna be so busy tomorrow lol
h & r block refund status is down so maybe good news for blockers
@Truth80: Sounds good but PATH was put in place to prevent FRAUD. When a person walks into Target or Walmart or any other retailer, unless the ppl there know you personally how can they know you’re low income”. Is it because you’re spending money around tax refund time? Are low income ppl the only ppl who receive tax refunds? Last I checked police officers get tax refunds, school teachers, firemen, ppl who work at colleges and universities, utility company workers, those who work in the grocery stores, places like Walmart and Target and ppl with many other occupations. Hardworking everyday ppl.
@RichinTheBurbs354: there’s no way to get refund without transcript updating with 846 without that then you cain’t get a refund impossible I’m telling you impossible
@JaynSyncere: I’m just stating what happened on mine 2 years in a row. I’m not sure about yours but I received mine before my transcripts updated and the WMR tool. I’m an 05 weekly if that help and if it happens again this year I will let you all know.
God bless and I hope you all wake up to your 846 this morning 😏🙏💜
@Val: well you’re alright so just be patient and don’t panic!!! Be blessed!!! Let me know if you need me for anything else. I’m 2023 I got my refund with fees taken out on the 20th via Cashapp and my as of date was 3/25/25. Actually it was only half and the other half had to be released by verification and etc… I got a check last year due to so many fraudulent tax preparers.
@Walter DOG: I’m a weekly 05. For the past 2 years I have received my refund before my transcripts updated amd before the WMR tool updated. I’m not saying this to cause confusion. It is a fact.
Has anyone had their id account temporarily suspended before ? This year has been crazy already. First year receiving letter to verify that I filed a tax return. I’m on day 21 so I guess I’m in the 9 week waiting game .
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: Feb 3rd I filed and 4th- I was accepted. It’s taking forever.
@Alizay: yes I have – sign in front of my refund amount
When is the next big update to wmr? Anybody know innit we’d to Thursday or Thursday to friday
@MousyMouse: It’s been accepted being you stated that you have the PATH message. It just haven’t been approved. The IRS is a day behind because of the holiday. What’s on your transcripts?
@StarringL: the Path message is still showing on my WMR too, but that’s normal. WMR doesn’t usually update until after our transcripts do, so it’s nothing to worry about 😊
@Kaylaaa: that is correct! Enacted in 2015. Not too sure about that first quarter earning stuff. It could be another reason but unknown it as to protect from fraudulent returns
Hello everyone, I have the path message and the 152 tax topic information link instead of an amount. Not only that I have not been accepted yet. I’ve had the same 3 kids almost 8 years now and it’s never taken this long to be approved. Does that mean something is wrong?
Path act is still showing on my WMR. One bar😩
@RichinTheBurbs354: It’ll definitely show on transcripts before getting a deposit.
@Ronhaz22: no there will not be an update tonight to transcripts. If you’re a daily you’ll probably see update to WMR that says your return is being processed.
Is only having 2 codes 150 &768 good codes for now?
@Val: yes for instant -740.25 do you have a minus sign anywhere?
Is there going to be an update tonight?
@RichinTheBurbs354: you can get deposit without showing on wmr but impossible to get deposit until 846 shows on transcript that’s what tells treasury to send deposit to your bank
@ErisedMai: right lol worst then d teens on social media smh thought we was adults can’t tell now days when the internet is involved lol thought this site was suppose to enlighten those of us with questions or concernes or even info
@Alizay: what do you mean a credit sign is it –
@Truth80: I thought the reason for the path was to protect fraudulent claimings of kids
Real Reason for PATH. Because retailers 1st Quarter earnings start officially Feb 15th. How do I know that. My fiance started a small security company. Her contact is with some holding warehouses for Walmart, Target. Majority of low income families as soon as they receive refunds run to Walmart or Target. Many say they’ll pay bills. No, no they don’t. They run off to buy new electrics. So retailers report a good 1st Quarter of earnings. This is all set up by the Feds. Spending means retail taxes and stocks to trade up. That’s why path lifts as t the beginning of the 1st Quarter of earnings spending.
Probably don’t mean anything, BUT….. IRS site is down!
@RichinTheBurbs354: Me too.
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