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.
Like I just changed my number and then changed it back again. The fact is my number changed and I just changed my number. When will I get my refund.
@MaryB: ok thank you that’s what I was thinking I use cashapp so was thinking that’s why I got mine the next day last year and could possibly get my refund today since they are a no hold bank
@LWBOSS: Fun Fact: If you look in certain numerology dream books, 468 and 864 mean MONEY. I’ve always wondered if the IRS picked their codes based on numerology because of that. lol.
@Need my money: If you filed on February 25 last year, you were never “on the PATH”.
It could be fast, there could be an issue. I have filed on a Monday one year and had my refund by the end of the week. Another year my return was resequenced.
It also depends on time your return was accepted, day of the week and whether you are daily or weekly.
Do transcripts update throughout the day or just once a day?
@JB: Because the PATH did not end on a weekend last year, followed by a holiday.
Some people will finish processing today/tomorrow and see WMR updates tomorrow/Thursday.
A higher number will process Thursday with transcripts filling in that night or Friday and WMR updating Saturday.
Refunds may start appearing later today for those with no hold banks.
@Vee2021: no they don’t mean anything.
@Walkingthepath: I’m just not understanding the dates on these refunds. If I got mine the 16th last year at 12:50 pm which would have been the next business day after the path freeze lifted why would we not start receiving refunds today which would be the next business day after the path freeze lifted for this year?
@Bri_843: Yes.
@Sheila_33: Will do, thank you. The past years I’ve been a weekly. I receive my refund on Wednesday. I will check in the morning and I’ll check in here to let everyone know, thank you.
So I asked the other night but I filed feb 25th last year and got my refund in the bank on march 2nd 7-8 days I was on the path so I filed on feb 15th this year what’s the chance I get them in a week again no transcript’s have posted yet
@JB: not today I say check for a DDD tomorrow on WMR
Gm my cycle code is 20250603 when do you think I’ll receive 846 I got all good codes except for that
@4boysMeemaw: my boyfriend and I have both paid state offsets with our federal tax refund before. Hell my bf usually doesn’t file his state taxes and they just take it the next year from his federal but he still gets his refund (minus the offset) on his ddd
@Txmomof3girls: thank you sorry I posted again before I saw where you replied
Anyone have any insight on this? I was thinking if I received my refund on the 16th last year there is at least a chance I’ll receive my refund today am I correct in assuming this? I saw a chart that filers accepted 1/27-2/1 would start depositing today. I can’t check transcripts because have a new phone number and am not able to receive code to check them
@NoFunAtTaxxTiimmee: you could be a daily 05 meaning you could update in the morning with 846 on your transcript, if not then you are a weekly and will see that 846 on your transcript Friday morning.
@RuthBaby: me too 😆
@JB: It’s doubtful that you would see it today since yesterday was not a processing day due to the holiday. It’s more than likely you would see 846 added to your transcript early am and could possibly see deposit tomorrow evening if you have a no holds bank.
@gratefulmag777: same
@Jaynsyncere: my transcripts show 766 twice, 806 and 768. I just got access to these this year so I don’t know what the other things mean. The amount beside 150 says 0 but tax return filed with a date of 2-24. I filed Jan. 20th
@Bri_843: Only when you get an 846.
Good morning! With cycle codes…what’s the difference between 0405, 0505, 0605 and 0705? I noticed last year I was an 0705…any significance?
I have code 570… 20250705… Hoping to see an update Friday morning since I’m a weekly. I’ve had 570 resolve itself in the past so fingers crossed…. Hope everyone sees movement tonight/tomorrow morning!!! 🎉❤️
@RuthBaby: I’m weak fr though 😂😂
would an offset of federal taxes owed be coded on a transcript?
Last year I got my refund on 2/17 @8:30am. I use Wells Fargo and they release it early
I’ve saw a few places that refunds would start hitting today for Pathers accepted 1/27-2/1. Is this true? Last year I got my deposit on the 16th the day after path lifted. Is there any chance I’ll get my refund today?
@LWBOSS: Im hoping my number hits TONIGHT!! 😂😂
I filed the 12th and accepted same day. I have all zeros and no codes yet on transcripts. Ive always been a weekly and no cycle codes are there yet to see if that changes. I know most people update with 3 codes then the following week update with the 846, but is it possible to update all at once? Any chance to get mine this week??
Everyone start playing the pick 3 number 846 exact for tonight and Wednesday 😆 you might hit tonight or Friday morning if it repeats 😆
846…846, come on with your funky @$$