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: how do I know if I am an 05 daily or weekly? Will I have to wait for an update to know? I have an as of date of march 3rd. Not sure what that means
@Samian: 05 dailies can process anyday. So 05 dailies that process today, will update tomorrow with a refund date of Monday the 24th.
@Fabfammamma: yes it means in a previous tax year you were uncorrecrly offset money you didn’t owe and they are reversing that offset and refunding you the money this year, in addition to your refund. My apologies, I read wrong
Hello, so I owe to the state from state taxes. I’m getting a refund from both state and federal. Would they take money from both to complete debt? Tia
@Sheila_33: another one lol. To be honest most of these answers i already know from you. But reading through hurts my brain to see all the wrong assumptions so i figured if i ask you others will also see. And please people. Sheila has done this for years. I take her word as bible.
Last year my 846 was a Tuesday. The year before a wednesday. But im 05. Do 05 dailies have a certain day?
Does anyone know how long it takes to get the id verify letter by mail
This is how I feel, why is everyone worried about whether or not they will get there 846 tonight? At least you will see ur 846 this week period. I don’t care if I don’t see it tonight I just know I will see it eventually this week I can wait till Friday smh it’s not that serious people just sit back and wait. The money is coming people be glad your getting it at all this week.
@Fabfammamma: oops nvm I misread and gave incorrect info, it means you overpayed on taxes, or something else and are being refunded the amount for the overpayment
@Stephhaze: even if it says credit to account -$3301
@Fabfammamma: it means that you owed money to the government such as child support, or another debt, and the amount you owe is being taken out of your refund and applied to the debt. So you’ll be getting less back
I have a code 766 which I researched in the above reference
What does
IRS TOP Offset Reversal w/OTN mean
I have an as of date for March 3rd on my transcript. What does that mean again?
@Samiam: YES THY DO I HAVE BEEN A WEEKLY FOR YEARS AND BEEN COMING TO THIS FORUM..I HAVE HAD RUSH CARD AND NETSPEND DEPOSITS HIT BEFORE I SEE MY 846 CODE SO IT DOES HAPPEN DEPOSTIS WILL STRT HITTING TODAY FOR NO HOLD BANKS CHIME NETSPEND METABANK ETC AND SOME CREDIT UNIONS RELEASE FUNDS AS SOON AS THY GET IT SO ITS POSSIBLE..GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!
@OLTFREEFILER: not all 05’s are weekly, some are daily and I wasn’t saying anything about weeklies being switched to daily’s. If an 05 is daily they could possible update tomorrow with the daily’s.
Good afternoon everyone. I remember last year my 846 was on my transcript on Tuesday night and I received my refund that Wednesday @12:46 pm. I will start checking my scripts around 8 or 9 est unless I see multiple posting they have the code
@Samiam: Never seen it happen. 846 let’s the treasury know to release. And unfortunately. I don’t think weeklies will see 846s until Friday.
@SaginawMama: You live right out side of Mt. Pleasant Mi….???
@Sheila_33: nothing for weeklies? Do deposits every release before we see the 846
@Samian: Dailies are double processing today because yesterday was a holiday. We may see 846s for dailies late tonight into tomorrow.
@My dear Sheila. I tend to ignore everyone who isnt your or Walt. Can you confirm if there is a possibility that anyone can see a deposit today let alone weeklies?
@Lisa in Atlanta: yea that’s right it does mean money. I play numbers all the time but I’m more of a trip and quad player.
@SaginawMama: Third time is the charm lol
@MaryB: Now Mary. You’ve been here long enough to know we don’t feed em.
@Sheila_33: Actually the 3rd time.
@SaginawMama: did transcripts have any codes @SaginawMama:
@Sheila_33: hahaha
@SaginawMama: I thought you got your refund last week. Congratulations on double the refund
Anyone get an update from federal today via transcript or wmr?