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.
@VaGal07: nevermind I see u put Feb 8
@Yandyy: I have that message we seen it last year and year before it’s just like it says delay message because you haven’t processed yet
@2020 was a long year: I had it as well but now I have delay message if you haven’t processed then it’s just delay message
@VaGal07: when was your ddd for state?? Was it the 10th?
My VA state just hit my credit karma card. Filed 1-23, accepted 1-25 and at some point last week, Thursday maybe, updated to DDD 2-08.
@Tigerlili_1: HEY Tigerlili how have you been?
@Toni: They use Republic Bank! Just google it
@Jenny O: It doesn’t matter how big or small it is? If its CTC or EITC than your waiting!
This is quite irritating…I changed to the PATH message on Saturday.
One dependent who turned 18 in November, so only 500 child tax credit and I still have to wait.
Refund is small, not even worth it for them to hold it.
I really hope they change this path law, cause from the looks of it, it’s not stopping the fraud😩
@Sally in PA: If fees are coming out, should get to him tomorrow.
Hey all…
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT BANK LIBERTY TAX USE TO TAKE THEIR FEES…AND WHAT IS THE SITE I CAN GO ON TO SEE IT.
@Walter DOG: When I go there, there is no option to do anything…there are no notices under that tab….hmm…it appears that more of these messages with the “still processing” are popping up.
@Walter DOG: Hey I just checked wmr and it still has my 1 bar but now has a delay message…oh boy..I hope it’s not a problem because nothing has changed on my end
@NewfromNY: yes
@Walter DOG: Hey how are you?I was reading you have a delay message you said.Hopefully processing soon?I’m still on the one bar smh
@Amy19: You did fine. :)
@Sally in PA@NewfromNY: This year, it seems like the early cards are not depositing as quick as usual.
@NewfromNY: It’s been both for me… day off and one day early. It depends on when they disperse funds once received.
@2020 was a long year: Go to IRS id verify/gov and login to identification of tax return if it lets you enter a code then it’s id verify if it says unable to provide assistance then that message is just delay message I got that message as well now I have delay message
@Sheila_33: the account balance equals to the amounts – on code so im good then