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.
Just Updated 846 DD 2/24 Last year I updated around 1030AM CST
I’m 0605 and no update for me. No surprise.
@Nikkisch: I was 0705 last 4 years and earliest ive gotten them was the 27th
@Beenwaiting1837: same here. I was 0705 last year as well. Got mine 2/16/24. Hope it’s the same
@Nikkisch: all go0d codes just no update for me yet
@SarahCuciKino: not sure, we are all the PATH.
So I am a PATHER, got accepted in the early test batch. I have all good codes except 846. I’ve always been a weekly. My as of date was 3/3 but it’s now showing 2/24 for as of and my cycle code is 0505. Was I resequenced, or do yall think I’ll have an 846 by the morning? I see a lot of 0505 PATHERS with the 846.
@WASTATEGIRL24: ok but a lot of people with the code did update.
Eastern time zone, 0705, have tried since 930 to get in to see if 806 is now 846 but can’t get in.
Transcript says all zero’s, but WMR said received. What’s going on? Filed on 1/27/25 No dependents.
Where is the 0705 group? Anything???
Has anyone seen peeps on pacifying zone update???
Hey all, told ya I’d be back once path lifts. Just as I said, thing’s moved much faster this year. I filed Feb 3rd to avoid the test batch chaos. Updated with good codes a week later. No verify. I’ve always been weekly but now im daily. I just updated to an 846 with DD of 2/24. Wmr still has path and 1 bar. I’ll be back to donate and sprinkle more positivity🧚♀️🧚✨️✨️
@Morris: I’m an 0505 and haven’t updated yet to 846
I’m seeing a lot of people saying people change to daily. I don’t think so. It’s just so many weeklies updated and a few didn’t. It looks like 0605 and 0705 are the only ones that didn’t update.
@Pierre: what was your as of date? And when did you check your transcript?
So I found this regarding the 5 days early option with TurboTax… Hope this helps
“Your federal tax refund will be deposited to your selected bank account 5 days before the refund settlement date provided by the IRS (the date your refund would have arrived if sent from the IRS directly). The receipt of your refund 5 Days Early is subject to IRS submitting refund information to us at least 5 days before the refund settlement date. IRS does not always provide refund settlement information 5 days early. You will not be eligible to receive your refund 5 Days Early if (1) you take a Refund Advance loan, (2) IRS delays payment of your refund, or (3) your bank’s policies do not allow for same-day payment processing.”
@Jellybean: are you 0705? I’m still processing
Transcripts updated. My Refund Issued date is 2/24/2025. I filed on 2/7/25, accepted on 2/7 and had the PATH message.
Anyone cycle code 0705?? I have not updated.. have you?
@SilentLurker: same. Wishing for CA, WA, or even CO.
Accepted 1/21 0505 cycle finally got it in and updated with my 846 thank God
@Jaina: I am
Have a ddd for 2/24… Good Luck everyone
@Jocelynn: No worries. I’m just thrilled someone responded. No fees taken out, so just waiting on a notification from Spruce at this point.
Been hanging around just to see how many more people get good news. But, I caught myself snoring just a moment ago, so I know it’s time to get some sleep.
Wish I could afford to live on the west coast. Lived in the Pacific Northwest and it was beautiful. Just couldn’t handle all of the gray days. Shooting for CA one day.
Good luck everyone and thanks again Jocelynn.
@2blessed: me too
My friend was an 05 and she got her ddd just a few minutes ago. 🥰 She’s usually a weekly. Maybe she’s a daily this year. Idkfs. I would check in the am.
Well nothing yet on mine but the As Of and Processing Date both show 02/17/2025 which updated from 03/03/25. So let’s see. Congrats to everyone who has got their good codes and off to their deposit cause like many of us lord knows we need it for things.
@2blessed: same here, most likely not going to update until Saturday for a dd for next Wednesday. Being a weekly sucks
@Stormi2da: I’m 0605 and my as of date is 3/3 and processing date 2/24. No 846 yet. Still have path message with one bar.
When dates pushes back and forth
It is moving thru the departments to be reviewed; when one dept finish in less time they were given it goes back to the original date then it will go thru the next dept if cleared you will eventually make it to the Master File; 846.
@Jaina: yes
Cycle 20250603 as of Mar 10 processing 2-24 .. transcript updated with 846 code 2-24-2025.. WMR still at first bar with path message .. Goodluck everyone
@DivaLisa in Florida: I have not tried ordering by mail but my 2024 account is available online but not completed (and the fourth transcript is not even an option for 2024, the second still says letter of non foling by 2024.
0505!!! 846 for 2/24… i been watching and reading but just wanted to post my update 😊
Ok so this next batch of weekly 846s… Are any of you 0705 and 3/3 processing?