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.
@Sheila_33: Last year it was o3, this year it is 04
@Miamor capree: No WMR won’t update for us till tomorrow
@Vanessaa: that’s what I am asking. My WMR still says the path message and I got 846 yesterday
@Miamor capree: I just checked the WMR app and it still shows the PATH info. Looked at my transcripts and they show 846 with a date of 2/24.
@Miamor capree: no
I just talked to an IRS agent and they said the ones of us that didn’t receive 864 last night will receive it anytime from now until Friday morning. He told me they’re updating them all as they take the path freeze off of each refund.
So keep an eye out everyone and please let us know when the deposit hits so us in the back know when to expect the deposit compared to the DDD
@Jenny04: I would just keep calling and hopefully you get a helpful agent. You can try the main number 1-800-829-1040
@LJ: same, we will update tomorrow night into Friday with that magical 846
@Chimmmmmer: I think we a be waiting until 2/22 tbh I checked my transcript from last year and it was for 2/22 I got my dd on 2/20 12:00pm via cash app so I’m figuring with our 2/24 we a start seeing deposits 2/22 I could be wrong just was throwing that out there
Is something going on with irs account site / id.me??? It didn’t recognize my password, which was correct. Had to unlock it and then reset password, and then when I logged in, it still rejected the new p/w and said I needed to sign up or sign in first (and i was trying to log in).
@Sheila_33: Sheila_33, I need help!!!! i need to call irs and talk to them. i called ID verify to talk about our return and the women came back on and said they didn’t receive our return till feb 13th and i know i filed with turbotax on 1/31/25 cause i got notify the irs accepted it on the 1/31/25… any way u have a way i can call and talk to someone at irs about all this crap….
@LJ: I am 0605 the same dates, still in limbo.
Anyone with an ‘as of’ date of 3/3, processing date or 2/24, cycle code of 0605 still waiting? My transcripts have been done for at least a week or 2, all good codes..
Question? Anyone that has a 846 code, did your WMR update off of path?
So if i got 846 on 2/24 and paid tt for early funds then i wont see my money till wmr shows ? I thought it was based on 846 when got
877-552-7255 Cross River Bank.. WELCOME EVERYONE
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: just got off the phone with them and they said they accept our return on feb 13th and that is wrong cause i filed 1/31/25 with TT and received a email that the IRS received it and accepted it that same day… What the hell i do now????? I know that is wrong.. How do i reach IRS to talk to someone and complain and get down to the bottom of this???
My tranny didn’t update, but my 2024 wages did on ssa.gov. When this usually happens, for me, that is, I’m almost finished processing. But I don’t know about this year.
@Bruam: Go to ITS.gov and create an ID.me account if you do not already have one. Sign in, and you will click view tax records and then view transcripts online.
There will be four types of transcript – 2024 may show or not depending on where you are in processing. The account one is the one that will show you the codes, and it can be available but not filled in. That is how mine currently is.
If you are the secondary on a joint return, your transcript may not show at all until it posts completed.
@Chimmmmmer: Not me .. did your pay your fees upfront? or had it come out your refund?
@Justataxquestion: Many factors. If you paid fees up front it could come at any time if your bank is a no hold bank. Otherwise, on the deposit date.
If you are paying fees out of your refund, that CAN delay it some (not necessarily) as it is sent through that before on to your bank.
@CrazedinGA: please come back and let me know when you do receive your funds please. I was expecting mine around 12 but nothing yet
@Chef D-Rock: okay perfect I still have hope. Last year I got it on the 16th at 11:33 so I figured the same time this year but of course not. Please come back and update us if you do receive your funds. I’m the mean Time ill hold on to hope for 2
@Chimmmmmer: Not yet. Mine usually hits around 2:30ish in the afternoon
@Michelle P: Really Then why would I pay tt $25.00
@MuDee#1: if I got the 5 day early, it wouldn’t be Sbtg, it’s rivers cross bank correct? I’m so confused
@Sam I am: disregard all of that. I got my release code last night. It should be sent to republic today or tomorrow and then it just takes a few hours to send to serve. I’ve been with jh for years and that’s how I’ve always experienced it.
Anybody else with a 2/17 processing date still waiting on an update?
@Chimmmmmer: still waiting. 🥰
Did anyone on chime get there deposit yet ?? That has 846 with ddd of 02/24 ?
@347nick: no still waiting myself go to this website to check you status choose the sbtpg link. https://taxpayer.sbtpg.com/login
@wade123: Whats your cycle date?
@ASDMamaBear: so far republic says they haven’t received any information and just the generic “usually 21 days after acceptance” line.
Anyone’s SBTPG says funded yet?