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.
@4boysMeemaw: 0605 didn’t either
@NYtaxwaiter: quite a few did, but several of us 0705 did not
@NYtaxwaiter: It can be either. 05 dailies can process anytime like this morning. 05 weeklies gotta wait for Thursday to process.
@ImpatientlyWaiting2024: I believe i may have seen a few but it was busy lol. Go to the search bar and type in verify and see if anyone said anything last night.
I’m just curious if turbo tax will actually release 5 days early
@RuthBaby: I am but still 846 code
@Sheila_33: oh is 05 daily ? i thought weekly. thank you for responding
@Help1984nc: If it can be resolved on the next update, then you may be fine. But if that 2/24 doesn’t move, you may be waiting for a letter.
@RuthBaby: I mam but still 846 code
@NYtaxwaiter: Quite a few 05 dailies got 846s this morning.
@Ugauno94: 846
has any 05 recieved their 846?
Woke up to an 846.
Filed 1-28
Been on Path with standard codes.
Today the 846.
@PrettyMocha1: thanks
@Sheila_33: So it doesn’t mean it’s bad I am a pather and first time ever accessing transcript and I saw it had codes and as of date on my refund saying 3/10/2025 but 2/24/2025 was beside the code 570. And I have other codes beside my refund amount
So I call the IRS since it’s more than 21 days since my return was accepted (see my post below for more info) and she says I just have to wait because returns can take more than 21 days to process and that I should use WMR to continue to check the status. When I pressed her to try to check further she said ‘I will put you on a BRIEF 5-7 minute hold’ (what’s brief about 7 minutes?) and then I’m in IRS music land for 10 minutes and then the call disconnects. I guess the IRS wins this year and my refund is just MIA.
Ok, so my next question is. I’m one of the people who paid to get my money 5 days early. Anyone else?
All transcripts have been bouncing back and forth with as of date 03/03/2025. I got all My other codes last week 150, 806, 766, 768. Pretty sure I’m just waiting on the elusive 846 at this point. At least I’m hoping that’s what’s nex
Did anyone that had to ID verify last week update last night?
I verified last Thursday the 13th around 3pm EST. Can someone provide any insight?. The only thing I see is the date on the notice of non-filing changed from the 14th to 19th.
Help @honeybee82 @Sheila_33
Good morning everyone, looks like I’m a dedicated weekly 😩 i hope we see that 846 start dropping tomorrow night like the dailies… the amount of 05 dailies was exciting to see…Congratulations to everyone that updated to that magical 846
@ErisedMai: Does it mean it’s a bad thing because I am a pather and that doesn’t seem like it lifted as my cycle code is 0505
Pather. I received my 646 with DD 2/24. Good luck everyone