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.
Good afternoon everyone!
I wanted to share that I received this email from Freetaxusa about 2 hours ago. I’ve never received it in the years prior, but I’ll take it as a positive sign.
The IRS is now processing all tax returns and issuing refunds! If you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, you can now get your refund!
@DoNotWanna: I agree! I have NO clue, but it’s definitely getting out of hand this year…..🫤
@Lather with chime: yes, I did read what you said. This year is different than last year though, because last year the 15th was on a Thursday…not Saturday like this year. Processing was delayed this year because of that, and with IRS being closed yesterday. You can choose not to believe me, but deposits are not sent to banks until the 846 code ‘releases’ them to the bank. And that’s not something I’m making up because I want to pretend that I ‘know more’….its a fact. Again, you don’t have to believe me though….it doesn’t hurt my feelings. You will see how it all plays out, and I was only trying to be kind and helpful….maybe you should learn to do the same.
Why is everyone so angry on here now? Sheesh.
My transcript says as if 3/3/25 but no 864 also code 768 and 150 ? Other transcripts say no return filed ? Any info on meaning one barctax topic 152 path act message online
I filed my taxes on January 24 and was accepted that day. I have codes 150 806 766 768 processing day of February 24 I have a credit union bank. My work checks get direct deposit Wednesday night instead of Friday. I also paid TurboTax $25 for five days early. Am I done processing and just waiting for code 846 and can I see my money as soon as I get the 846 tomorrow or Thursday
@Midwest Mama: my daughter’s birthday is Feb 9th and she knows she will get a little something and cake on her birthday. She has never minded waiting to get her bigger stuff or money (she’s 15 now so she’s gotten $$ from my taxes for yrs).
Most kids understand. Good luck mama and happy birthday to your little one.
@Justin0255: i hope not im a 02
@Honeybee82: @Honeybee82: @Honeybee82: @Honeybee82: @Honeybee82: @Honeybee82: @Honeybee82: did you read anything I said or do you insist that you know more then what I already know. I have chime. They don’t hold deposits so if irs sends my punt out today and updates tomorrow that is the same exact thing that happened last year and all years after that. I stated Wednesday and Saturdays are always days of update for where’s my refund. Do you need a screenshot of my deposit from last year receiving it on the 16th and where’s my refund wasn’t even update until the next day which was Saturday. Stop trying to give information that was not asked for. I never checked my transcripts or my codes.
@Justin0255: all dailies should definitely update through the night and into tomorrow 😊
@Pather with Chime:
Unfortunately no one on Path will get a deposit today, because deposits cannot be sent until the 846 release code triggers them. Since the IRS was closed yesterday, processing for dailies didn’t begin until today…and the returns have to be processed in order to issue the 846. But dailies should expect to see it on their transcripts through the night into tomorrow…and weeklies will see it Thursday night into Friday. Since you have a NHB, you’ll get your deposit the day yours processes with the 846….and that can be tomorrow if you’re a daily, or Friday if you’re a weekly. 😊
wish they would remove that damn “Path” message lol lol
@Pather with Chime: yes I was definitely hoping today we would see something since we have chime idk now im nervous lol
@Sheila_33: Thank you for your help. Your the best!
Probably been asked already but think the 02’s will update tonight? or think i have to wait till next Monday?
@Sheila_33: thank you so much🙏🏾
I just noticed my cycle code changed a bit too. It went from the last four being 0705 to 0605. Does that still make me a weekly? I’ve always been a weekly……
I chime in once or twice a tax year, usually with a question and once or twice just for support. But ppl, we are going through a lot as working citizens and heads of families, etc. It doesn’t hurt to spread some optimism, as we all could use it. I can say factually that for the past two years, I’ve updated to 846 2/22. I bank with Chime, so last year I think my deposit hit on the 20th and same the yr prior. My Daughter’s bday is today, and I’m flat broke so I’m not feeling so great BUT at least in a few days I can splurge on a seafood boil. Best of luck to everyone, kindness doesn’t hurt or cost a dime ppl.
@Prettygirlssmoke: You will most likely update overnight into tomorrow.
@ImCASHINout: The 150 is your tax on your self employment. Add the 766 and 768 and subtract the 150 amount.
Also, the 150 is a positive amount but the 766 and 768 are negative amounts…..
@StillHere2025: I did, but not for the refund just another credit. Still an update lol
@Rappin Larry: prayers up because I am in the same boat!! Patiently waiting for that code to drop lol and praying I don’t get recycled!
Soooo, if H&RBlock says im getting 7420 back, why does my transcripts say …..
”150 tax return filed 2/24/25 $2649.00”
“766 credit to your account 4/15/25 $2239.00”
“768 earned income credit 4/15/25 $7830.00”
Am I getting all the amounts on transcript instead of what H&RBlock said????!
My cycle code is 02, so I should have updated yesterday, I know it was a holiday does that mean I’ll update sometime today? I have all good codes and yes I’m a pather.
It will be okay everybody. We gotta give the IRS a lil time to process. I know they are working hard cause they don’t want us to call lmbo. Hang in there!! It will be here soon. Blessings and may everything work out positively for everyone!!
It’s crazy how not one of us got a direct deposit already if we have chime or an actual direct deposit date.
Al of my years of doing taxes where’s my refund updates on Wednesdays or Saturdays. So tomorrow is when the site should be updated for most of us. Last year where’s my refund updated on 02/17/2024 with direct deposit date of 02/22/2024 I ended up getting my deposit on chime on 02/16/2024z I was hoping to get my direct deposit today but nothing yet. I’ll deff keep you guys updated if I receive it later today or if I update tomorrow which ever comes first.
Joking aside, I filed 1/24 accepted 1/27, and I’m a pather.
My codes are 806, 150, and 768, as of date is 3/10 and processing date is 2/17.
Should get my 846 tomorrow hopefully God willing.
I pray it works out well for all of you according to God’s will, be blessed.