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.
@Honeybee82: thank your that small
Word of encouragement really helps
@Californiadreams: same chikenusuakly deposits 4-5 hours after they get receipt of funds. Not today though.
Good morning IGMR fam! It’s SO exciting to see how many more of those 846’s dropped during the night! 😄 Don’t get discouraged if you have an 05 code and didn’t update though, that just means you’re weekly. I know a lot of 05’s updated through the night, but a lot of those 05 people either didn’t realize they were a daily…or switched this year, that’s all. Tomorrow night is your turn and we’ll be here to celebrate with you! 😊🍾
Hey everyone. I filed this year around February 2nd. My transcripts are still not showing. Instead it pops up a letter that there are no tax records found. And I have remained on the first bar .no path message.
Filed & Accepted
Account Transcripts all 000 as of 2/24 since 2/7. No updates since. Except as of date changes to 2/24/25 on all years and back from time to time. I have been a daily the last few years. Nothing has changed for me. Hoping for an update this week? Anyone else in the same boat?
@KeshKesh: I have the same cycle code and did not update. I’m still on path message on WMR, we are probably true weeklies meaning we will not see an update until early Friday morning. However, we could see something Thursday night since transcripts started updating last night with 846.
Has anyone with 846 and no holds banks receive there deposit yet? I usually receive my deposit hours after the 846 release code but nothing yet.
Wmr is still with path message for me and not refund approved, is this a bad thing
@EagerlywaitingNC: they usually put that when it is taking a little longer for whatever reason. I’ve had this several times before and it has always worked itself out. 🥰
@$dollbaby127: i had tt early fund so they have to take the $25 and my credit union for dd
Good morning @Sheila_33: my as of date keeps changing from 2/24 to 3/3 should I be worried I have all good codes and path message on WMR. My processing date hasn’t moved at all it’s still 2/17
Does anyone know what this means and why is it different from the if you filed a complete and accurate return allow 21 days message
Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, please see our Refund Frequently Asked Questions.
@ceeeteeeee: did u just update now
My cycle code is 20250605. Will I be updating tomorrow? For reference, last year PATH lifted Thur 2/15/24, President’s Day was that Mon 2/19/24 and I got my refund that Fri 2/22/24. But since the act lifted on the weekend and the holiday was Mon, I suppose we aren’t gonna see any money until Mon or Tues? I filed 1/24, was accepted 1/27, and have already received my state return.
Good morning everyone and congratulations again to everyone who received the magical 846
Cycle code 20250505 weekly pather because of identity theft years back. Still no code for 846. Congrats to all the 846ers that got their fate:)
Pather with Cycle code 0505 and received 846 for 2/24 – all credits filed on 1/9 accepted 1/21 VA
@80billionwasted: I looked back to the holidays last year. I am a PATHER. Last year, the PATH ACT lifted on Thursday, Feb 15, President’s Day was that following Thursday the 19th, and I got my refund that Friday the 22nd.
Why is wmr still on path though?
@Pather with Chime: I am waiting as well. My chime stuff usually hits later in the afternoon. I will keep you updated as well
@WorriedTX: I was shocked too! And yes 2-24 is your refund date! Congrats!
My processing date says the 17th with no update but my wife processing date says the 24th her transcript updated but mines didn’t can someone give info on why this could have happened im a 05 but once again my processing date says the 17th😤?
@Jersey girl: Honestly, as crazy as last night/morning was, nothing would surprise me lol. But, my guess is we’ll see some 04s updating in the morning.
@ImpatientlyWaiting2024: I think the cutoff for updating the following week is Wednesday but not 100%.
Shocked. I actually switched to daily!
Got my 846 code this morning with 2/24 date.
2/24 would be my DDD???
@Sheila_33: good morning Sheila you were right.. it was exciting seeing all those 05 dalies old and new updating….,question does updating to transcripts happens all day for dailies or that’s it?