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.
Attention this is a test from the American Refund system we run this test about the same time every year so I would like to say you get a refund… you get a refund…. Mass transcripts update tonight daily look out weekly Friday for y’all
They’re updating now.
Quick question? Are transcripts updating overnight?
We have liftoff!
Check those transcripts guys!
Hey guys I just got my 846 code! With a DDD of 2/24!
Good luck, pixie dust, and we’ll wishes for everyone to get theirs!!!
does anyone know what a cycle code of 20250505 and a process date of 02/17/2025 means?
@papamickey: I can. We don’t have in-person school tomorrow due to the storm. Days ago…6 inches of rain. Now….7+ inches of snow
Just realized I don’t have the PATH message, I have the Tax Topic 152 BUT i claimed the EIC. Nothing in the mail or notice in my account. Is this bad? I would assume I’d get the PATH message if I claimed one of those creddits. 1st bar only accepted.
I dont remember seeing Tigerlily this year. Lately only remember seeing them right before refunds drop.
Thank you everyone for helping me decide on what to do. I’ll keep the appointment. I hope you all get the 846 code this week. 😊
@Momof1: 💕
@Nursepink: This link breaks down the reasons you might be a weekly 05, but keep in mind, that can always change and you never know until you actually update each year.
https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
@papamickey: not it lol
Does tigerlily come here still?
SOOO, who is gonna asign their self as the designated person to check their transcript all night to let us know when updates are happening? lol
I just want to say good luck to everyone, and I hope everything goes well with all of you. I haven’t been posting much but I want to give a shout out to all the ones that has been helping people along the way 😊. And to @Sheila_33 you’re like the tax MOM that looks over us. We are very thankful for you. No matter what happens you always stick around.
@Squirrelsnacks: i agree with everyone saying keep the appointment. They wouldn’t allow you to make it if it wasn’t showing you need to verify on their end. They are stingy with those appointments. Lol
@Honeybee82: Don’t let others negativity dim your light.