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.
I finally got in and no change on my transcripts. All good codes, just no 846. I have be an 05 for years so wasn’t expecting an update until Friday but would’ve been nice. Congrats to all you 846’s! 🎉
Yayyyy 2/24 for me! Fingers crossed for the 5 days early release
@Txmomof3girls: I am an 05 weekly every year, I updated with the 846 and ddd 2-24 so keep checking
@Gators352: i have credit union get my works checks 2 days early and i paid tt for 5 days early
@Harris: wrong bout DD lol
846 2/24! I was right! I told y’all!
Transcripts not coming up. Saying unavailable now. So I can check mine rn
Grr.. looks like I’m an 05 weekly 🙄 I hate this.
@LWBOSS: 🙏🏻
@Gators352: Wells Fargo deposits early also….
@Shelia_33 Thank you for helping us every year. We pile on so many questions. But you do not care. You are a peacemaker.
@Thankful757: that will update either Wednesday or Saturday
Transcripts updated to 846 with a DDD date of 2/24/25
Good luck to all, God bless and be encouraged!
@Thankful: I can’t get in lol. I’ll wait til morning
I am in line.. :( lol 10 minute wait
Guess I’ll drink my beer and try again in a few minutes…nothing will load
I’ve been able to get into my transcripts for prior years all day and all weekend and now it won’t load, what does that mean???? any help would be appreciated….
@4boysMeemaw: I can’t either lol. I keep seeing all these people getting their 846 and I can’t even check! Millions of people all trying to check at the same time 😂
@Sheila_33: Did you WMR update yet?
@Vanessaa: you will get it tomorrow morning or by 1pm
@Vanessaa: your refund will be on that date unless you have like chime Netspend prepaid cards it will come earlier traditional banks, it will be exactly on that date
I always get my DDD 5 days earlier than what the transcript says, so you folks who got the code *should* see something tomorrow.
I’m an 05er so I doubt mine will be updated tonight. But seeing 04ers get updated after PATH sure takes a load of my shoulders and makes me feel a little more at ease. Congrats to everyone with the 846 code!
Are transcripts updating? I can’t get in!!!!
Yes lawd I got 846 too. No more path for me. 2/24/25 date
I’m trying to log in the traffic is so heavy over on the site keep circling (ugh)
@LWBOSS: i got 846 for 2/24 am i done processing or will another code come up . If im done when can i see my refund. I have a credit union bank i get my checks 2 days early from work. I paid tt $25 for 5 days early
846 just showed up for 02/24. I am an 04 daily if anyone wants to know. Good luck to everyone else.
Just got my 846, with DDD of 2/24 also I’m a 0505 been weekly for years but I guess I’m daily this year, I just hit the pick 3 846 😆
Well what do you know, I don’t have to stay up all night. I’m a pather, and got 846 for 2/24..
I just checked my transcripts i got 846 for 2/24. Now what ? Is that when i get my refund or can i still get a different code
@Vanessaa: yes I am on path! WMR hasn’t updated but that’s normal. Filed through Jackson Hewitt with serve card DD
Hey Yall
I just checked my transcripts and I have my sweet 846 with ddd of 2/24. I am a panther. Good luck Everyone, I pray everyone update soon. I will stick around for any Q&A
@Gators352: sorry. Just saw another sam i am. Im samiam