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.
@kadeebug123: ty do u mean documents from employer or just something they havent done yet.thanks so much@kadeebug123: oo
I filed tax return thru jh ( very unhappy with them) return was rejected by IRS for miss healthcare 1095-a can I go thru different tax company and just restart this whole mess over and say screw jh?
@JLB1987: how do I get access to my transcripts
@Michgal72: It means that Michigan was waiting on a few more documents before you could submit your michigan state return. You should be able to file with just your federal and when the forms become available you can file your state.
I filled with tt on 1/5 and have not been accepted yet. Anyone else file with tt and waiting to be accepted.
@JLB1987: After they open on the 23rd
Hopping back on to comment i just received email notification my federal return was accepted :D
Return accepted this morning free tax usa
Asked earlier but no response yet-When should daily pathers see update on transcripts?
@Singledad0817: Same my Federal accepted at 3:34pm and I’m Path still waiting on State to be accepted.. I Cant believe I got a test Batch Happy about that :) Happy Tax Season
@Bluechyna: So you filed threw TT and you haven’t been accepted yet but your refund advance is in your Credit Karma account already???
@Singledad0817: oh nice! It’s my first year being in the test batches as well, and also walking the PATH. Lol
My federal was accepted around 3:30 today through turbo tax.I’ll be walking the path.this is my first year being in a test batch.waiting on state to be accepted
Hey, I’m looking at you guy’s chart. What does NHB stand for?
Hi when im trying to efile on hr block .why does my state taxes say cant be filed because michigan is not finalized .what does this mean ty
Filed TT 1/16. Just accepted today at 1600. No PATH or credits. Got fees taken out of refund.
@RaidersFan: TurboTax
@MaryB: Oh ok thank you. I’m a weekly so I’m guessing my first possible transcript update wouldn’t be till next Friday 1/27
@Bluechyna: awesome who did you file with
Just now got my notification I was accepted
@NinaRoss: when did you file yours
I haven’t got accepted yet but my advanced just hit
Has anyone been accepted early and got a tax advance?
@Sharon. O: Some people have gotten refunds on opening day due to test batch (and early release banks). It would also be a daily poster and not weekly.
@LWBOSS: Ok thanks so much
@Ni@Mbry0625:
Just got accepted 15 minutes ago from TT
@KYMama: It should have a date. If you don’t it…delete.
@Sharon. O: not really, I am on path this year but when I pay fees upfront,I get my money by the 17th or 18th of February.
@LWBOSS: Thank you
@Jstar: no advance and paid fees upfront
@KYMama: no I paid weeks ago
@LWBOSS: Do you get your refund earlier being in a test batch
@LWBOSS: Did you do the advance?
I filed with TT.
I was just accepted at 1:41pm
Filed jan 7th and have eitc and ctc. Filed without W2 again and was spot on when I checked w2 from 3 jobs. I was always in test batch for 10 years.
@Heavenly: are you trying to get the fee to be took from your return too? Lol
@KYMama: Yes I’m having the same issue they say keep trying or wait until tomorrow. Then we should be able to file.
@MSRazorbackPhD: okay! So i did that and the federal forms it is mention are, Form 8995 and qualified business income deduction simplified calculation. Any idea on what those are ? Will then be ready when the tax season open momday?
Got accepted today after filing with Cash App Taxes. No EIC (first time), so no PATH.
Accepted!
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