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 āqueueā 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.
I can be patient now that my state has completed – my concern was three of our five dependents would be fraudulently claimed on two other returns a d hold up my entire refund.
@Sheila_33: thank you!
The thing is, my appointment to verify myself is tomorrow, and i wont see if i updated until friday morning. I’ve never had to wait this long for any movement on my transcripts its just all 0’s is this normal? And should I cancel the appointment or just wait until Friday?
@HyuneeBeeš: I’ll be š
@Squirrelsnacks: I am going through the same thing. I never processed but had notification of verification on my IRS account. No record of a letter sent either, I spoke with multiple IRS agents and none of them saw that a letter was sent out to me-however I received the letter today. I called and spoke with an agent that verified me using the control number on the letter. She also asked me other questions pertaining to my 2024 tax return. She placed me on hold and told me she processed my return but it COULD take up to 9 weeks to receive. I pray it doesnāt take that long but we will see.
@Honeybee82: Keep your head up, and God Bless šš»
@Squirrelsnacks: what about on your online account, is it showing a letter under notifications? Someone posted a day or two ago that their online IRS account had the needing to verify message. When I had to verify last year my WMR changed to a take action message.
@Harris: Ditto!
@Honeybee82: Don’t go anywhere! Ignore when people want to argue and let them argue with themselves! And honestly I was starting to feel the same way!
@RaiderBoss: I did last year and it didnāt delay my refund at all and definitely did not take 9 weeks. I was able to get an appointment to verify in person without waiting on the letter. I think thatās what takes the longest.
@Squirrelsnacks: You could wait and see how the week goes and if you update or get any messaging on the Wmr.
@Honeybee82: i didn’t usually say a whole lot, I sit, watch and learn. I must say, between you, Sheila and Walter dog, I’ve learned much, please stay aboard!!! You have very good and useful info!
Has anyone who had to verify with irs ever received refund sooner then 9 weeks?
@Beckaj2019: I’m assuming that since the 2024 hasn’t processed yet.
Everyone check your transcripts. Mines just updated with a 846. DDD 02/22/26.
@Prettygirlssmoke: no, 846 should start populating to transcripts early morning and some could see deposit tomorrow evening.
Hi everyone, I need your help.
I filed on Jan 27th, got accepted the same day. My transcripts are blank.
I’m a weekly.
I have an As of Date of feb 17th
I have the EITC and claiming a dependent. When I spoke to IRS today, the lady told me that I would need to identify myself, however, when I spoke to second agent, they said, unless I got a letter in the mail then I don’t need to identify myself. I have not received anything and the mail and the second agent also told me that they did not start processing
Returns with certain tax credits until Saturday Feb 15th. So I’m conflicted on what to do. Do I identify myself? or just wait for the mass update to see if I had any movement?
@Chasingcarson_: yes 02 is daily.
@Sheila_33: thank you!
Also noticed it says no return filed and married filing joint, but I filed married separate this year. Assuming they pulled that from previous returns and that will update when they pull the 150 code?
@Rellik: I’m from New York as well. I’m waiting on a date for my State return, it was accepted on 2/04/2025.