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.
@WorriedTX: YES!!!! Exactly!!!! That’s why I didn’t sign up for it with my refund but I did sign my boyfriend up for it!!!
@Sam I am: gotcha.. was yours and advance or regular federal deposit?
The $25 day 5-day early think only benefits people with traditional banks. No hold banks were going to get the deposit earlier anyways smh….I wasn’t thinking. Done just GAVE TT $25 for nothing.
@Dentonj88: no apology needed! My processing date is 2/24 and as of 3/10. Got my 846 last night. But no WMR update yet
@Sheila_33: Well I don’t know what Errs is, but waiting is all I can do. I did send in form 911 to the TAS this morning too.
@Awalkee: Im just randomly checking lol. Last year it came in the evening.
I’m so happy everyone is getting updates or see some type of movement. Gives me hope 😂 still no transcript update my DoorDash income is viewable so maybe I’ll get there soon.
@Sam I am: apologies if you answered already but what’s your processing and as of dates?
@Sam I am: oh man, I hope that’s true. That’d be awesome!
@Curious: me I’m on the same boat exactly.
@Noidea: & @awalkee I also have serve card Jackson Hewitt DDD of 2/24 if my money posts I’ll let you know. Please don’t beat me the same.
This is what the Jackson Hewitt robot said:
“
Please be aware that the IRS has begun releasing Path-related Refunds, and we expect that our clients who elected to have their refunds deposited on the Amex Serve card will see them available within a few hours.”
@Justbored: i did. It was originally scheduled for Tuesday when I had a whole bunch of medical hooplah.. found out I need surgery. They bumped the hearing to Thursday morning and when I got ahold of someone at the Taxpayer Advocate Service to explain the situation, they said they can’t help till after the 20th :(
@Curious: Im not sure but I do know that there is a great chance that the next update we’ll see 846 for sure I’ve been a weekly since forever. Sending money energy to everyone who has 846 waiting for DD and those of us waiting for 846.
@ASDMamaBear yeah I have they haven’t gotten it yet
@Awalkee: wondering the same when Serve will post 😊
@Dentonj88: it is my state refund and for my federal my cycle is 0705
@Miamor capree: the 846 is the golden number as long as we have that 846 we will get our refund if the wmr never updates lol
@Awalkee: have you checked republic yet?
@RELIEF2020: New York State
@Mandie: thank you! So I guess 806 is good right? I should see a 846 soon?
@Dentonj88: ask for a continuance
Wonder when jh serve will deposit for us 2/24 ddd
@Curious: Same situation here. I am a true weekly. Been on path message since 1/24 only thing moving are the as of dates. I would not worry.
@Gorillamom4: i wish all of us 2/17ers could get an update. I have an eviction hearing tomorrow and I am stupid stressed 🥺
@Jellybean: Is this ddd for your federal refund or state if i may ask
@Curious: I’m not 100% but I think the processing date is more related to numbers #5 and #6 in your cycle code because it represents what week they were supposed to look at your return (i think….if anyone else knows for sure though, please chime in 🙏)
@Dentonj88: yes I am as of 3/3 processing date 2/17 and cycle 0505. I expected to be weekly as I am every year
@Jellybean: what were your processing and as of dates?
NYS refund approved within the last hour DDD of 2/21/2025 also a pather.
@846 for every 1: is the Processing date the date we were processed?? Sorry if this is a silly queation.
@Mom_of_3: I got those same codes back in 2021 their wanting birth certificates of your kids light bill or rent payment in your name school records prove your the one providing for them you will get a packet and send in stuff right away it’s first come first serve has to who sends in their stuff I got my refund in Late June
@Curious: I have as of 3/3 processing is 2/17 cycle ends 0505. Pather
@Dentonj88: I am
@Tk( not signed in): Do you think that would cause a problem? I wonder if we can not get our funds early if that hasn’t updated
Anyone else have As of March 3rd
And a Processing date of Feb 10th
I’m a 0405
I lost my comment after I stepped away for a bit so I apologize for the repost. Any pathers with a 2/17 processing date still waiting on updates?
@Justatiredmama: You’re daily :)
@Mom@3: ?? A little confused
@Sheila_33: thanks sheila_33. im on phone with them now and waiting to talk to someone and seeing what the hell is going on…. cant hold our return for 3 weeks and not do anything and then say they received it on feb 13th when i know for a fact they accepted on 1/31/25
@Justatiredmama: if it ends in 03 you are daily
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