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.
My as of date was 2/17 then changed to 3/10 for a week. I checked at 1:10am EST, it is back to 2/17 with 846 and processing stayed the same 2/24, the entire time. I hope this helps someone. I recall being stressed last yr when it felt like everyone had an 846, but me after midnight, and I checked at 9am and that 846 was there last year. Don’t give up. Keep checking. 🥰
@Corie:@Clos: I am not the only one then my as of date was march 3 2025 with all the as of dates for all the years on transcripts the same and this morning everything went back to as of date February 17, 2025 processing date remain the same February 10, 2025 I’m an 0405 cycle and codes 150 766 768 and the past years transcripts went back to normal for the original as of date for those transcripts I’m a pather wt heck is going on
Couldn’t check my transcripts at first, now it says Service Outage February 19th lol. We broke it guys
I cant check transcripts what day does does WMR update ?
@DWAH: my as of date changed as well 2-24
@hello: same
I filed direct deposit for the fist time with turbo tax I have no idea how long it normally takes for direct deposit and I cannot find transcripts any ideas?
Just checked. 846… finally. DDD 2/24. Chime, NO fees. So I’m guessing tomorrow sometime????? Check your transcripts babes!!!!!!
As of date changed back to 02/24 no 846 0505 weekly
I’m a pather with cycle code 0505 an updated to 846 2-24
@HeatherAnne: I mean I did the 5 days early***
I come here every year and only post when my 846 shows. I just checked my transcript and my 846 just posted and says issued 2/24/25. Just want to put some of your minds at ease. It is coming. I am cycle 02 and Feb 17 for processing date. Good Luck all.
Was able to see my transcript after some excruciating waiting game on the irs website and boom 846 ddd 2/24 hopefully the 5 days early with TT fingers crossed on that but I wish everyone a speedy tax refund turn around, till next year my good peeps
@Wasstate2442: same here. as of date just changed now from 3/3 to 2/24 for me. path weekly 0505 and no 846 yet.
I got my 846 code 2/24/2025, but I didn’t the 5 days early through TurboTax. So does that mean I will get it today?
I updated! I’ve been an 05 weekly for years but my transcripts just updated with 846 and I’m now an 03 dsily! ddd for the 24th as of date march 3rd. 846 2/24. I filed 2/9. Check your transcripts weeklys, you might be in luck!
2-24 ddd
@Clos: mine just changed also from 3/3 to 2/24
I love watching all the 846s rolling in.. it makes me happy to know that we survived another tax season. For those of you still waiting I’ve got my fingers crossed you’ll see the magic number soon.
@wade123: I experienced what you are going through and for me it was fixed by itself. That year it felt like I was having no movement and updates. I never got any letters or and weird messages on WMR. I did get my DDD for March 1 that year.
@Famous: like just right now updated? What time zone?
0703 with DDD of 2/24. Hope this helps someone waiting to get in.
I GOT MY 846 my cycle is 0505 my processing date is 2/17 and as of 3/10 my transcript just updated to refund issued 2/24
@wade123: if it’s something simple that the IRS can clear up on their own, you most likely wouldn’t get a notice because you wouldn’t need to do anything, but getting a tax advocate can help speed the process up just in case.
@Toni: lol aww shucks. A girl could only hope. At least I know it’s coming.
Just pulled my transcripts surprisingly. No 846 for me. I’m weekly.
@Ricco624: I hope you meant 2/24, because 8/24 would be a really long wait! 😉
05 weekly been on path message since 1/24 as of dates were 3/3 on all my transcripts just checked and transcripts have changed dates as of is now 2/17 again and the other ones are normal.
@Jocelynn: I just submitted form 911 for TAS. I’ll die of old age waiting on them. Especially since there is no code 971 for a notice
@SilentLurker: I also missed the part that you’re on the east coast so my tomorrow right now is your today.. I’m on the west coast! 🤣
@Toni: I went back through the contract for the 5 day early with TT. It’s Cross River Bank they are using for that. If not the 5 day early they use SBTPG.
@SilentLurker: of course. 😊 one nice thing about having a no hold bank/card. Only thing that could possibly delay it is if you had fees taken out of your return. Then the processing time is a little slower and could take 1-2 days to hit your account.
Finally got my transcript, 846 for 8/24
well just checked my transcripts again and now they all went back to 2024 year but still don’t have 2024 transcripts. 2020 to 2023 was all with a as of date 3/10/25 and now all have a 2024 date. what is happening???
@Jocelynn: Thanks!
@SilentLurker: most likely sometime tomorrow, they release the funds as soon as they get notification of the deposit.