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.
@Keishalove33: I’m weekly so I update Thursday night into Friday morning and transcripts went to as of 2-24 last night but now as of 3-3 my prior years also i wouldn’t worry about as of dates your fine Friday morning you will update
@Mrs. P(not signed in): Really! I have current so I’ll be looking. Thanks
@Mrs. P(not signed in): I have hope I used tt 5 days early and im using my credit Union that gices my pay checks two days earlier from my pay date
@Str8Nervous: You will more than likely update this Friday with 846 since you have PATH message on WMR and your transcripts updated on Friday.
Can someone help my my transcript has all zeros and it say I did not file. Which I did. Where do I get the 14 numbers off the transcript to ID Verify
My refund just hit my account…. 2/24 pather. Used Current card
Filed on 12/12/2025, PATH, Return Not yet accepted by IRS, also received and advance the day after filing, and account transcripts are still blank. Question is why are my transcripts still blank and why hasn’t the IRS accepted my return if I was able to receive the advance? Also, anyone else in the same boat?
varo just dropped
Hello everyone back again…I filed 1/30 and accepted same day. Transcripts finally updated last Friday from the non-filing a tax return but nothing updated on the wages transcript. Saturday wmr updated to path message which i have always been a pather since the beginning. As of date 3/3 processing is the same. Is the wages transcript still supposed to be blank? What possible issues am I looking at? Thanks in advance.
@Britanya: Did your WMR update?
@Needmymoneynow: I spoke with another rep & you were right. THANK YOU!!
@Britanya: CONGRATS! when did was your return get accepted if you dont mind me asking ;) path?
@Britanya: how do.you see it in pending for credit union my bf has a dd 2/24
@Britanya: meaning pending in your bank?.
My money is pending DDD 2-24 credit union NHB
@HeatherAnne: Lol, that’s what I did too. All I saw was 5-days early, forgetting I already get deposits early lol! Don’t think it’ll slow us down. It just wasn’t necessary. Hopefully they automatically refund it and we don’t have to request it.
@Sheila_33: I had to use a TAS back in 2019. Once I submitted form 911 he called me in like 2 days. I faxed him my W2 and it was released like the next day and I had it all done in about a week. Hopefully the TAS acts that fast this time around too.
@shelleybeanss: Good, I hope so!
@Rellyohboy: I used taxact with fees taken out by Republic Bank for years. They typically will have your information on their site by the end of day the day after 846 posts to transcript (so later today or first thing tomorrow morning), then they hold it for a day or two before sending to your bank. I typically receive my deposit 1-2 days before the date on transcript.
Is this Tt 5 days early going to slow my refund? I paid my fees this year instead of having them taken out of my refund hoping I will get it faster. But now I feel like I made a mistake paying the 25 for the 5 days early. I have Walmartmoneycard..
So id get it early no matter what from them. Blah i hope didnt slow it down. I wonder if I will get it today..ddd 2/24/2025
Sheila_33: Well just got off the phone with IRS. they said on feb 12th they found an error and they fixed it in the system cause they didnt send a letter or anything for us to send anything in so they fixed it on the 12th. said he cant see what the error was just that it was fixed on the 12th and done processing and that it can take up to 8 weeks from the 12th before we see our refund. would it take the 8 weeks since they fixed it themself??? any help would be appreciated
Do we think we’ll see more transcripts updating tonight?
@RuthBaby: it’s unfortunate that so many companies have CSRs that don’t know what they’re talking about. People call with questions and can’t even get legitimate answers because reps are poorly trained or just ignorant. It’s especially unfortunate when it has to do with things like peoples money! Sorry you were most likely misinformed by the TT customer rep :( but, the good thing is, if you opted for the Credit Karma account deposit, you should see it earlier than most traditional banks!
@Gorillamom4: thanks… I was hoping after dealing with last years identity verify fiasco that this year would be smooth sailing…universe had other plans. I’m still hopeful for movement today, but honestly just scared
@Needmymoneynow: that’s what i thought. But the rep kept insisting i had to have the credit karma account for the TT 5 day guarantee. Cause that’s what i paid $25 for
Dumb question probably because I haven’t been on PATH in a couple years but I’ve had good codes for two weeks now, I shouldn’t have issues getting a date DDD Friday, ya?
@RuthBaby: that’s a different TT product – the “Credit Karma Up To 5 Days Early” deposit is actually a different product than the TT “5 Days Early Guaranteed” product. It seems silly because they sound like almost the same thing, but you are correct that the “Credit Karma up to 5 days early” refund does require sending it to a credit karma account. The “5 days early guaranteed” which people pay $25 for, can be sent to any deposit account, but will first pass through Cross River bank then to your final receiving bank.
@Dentonj88: oh my sending all good vibes your way!
Anybody know how long Republic Bank takes to receive and forward funds after taking out filing fees?
Republic Bank site still shows “A refund for this social security number has not yet been received.”
I filed with TaxAct and had filing fees taken out this year. I usually pay upfront but not this year. 846 dropped last night. Now the wait…
@Sam I am: thanks :)
@Needmymoneynow: I was told by a TT rep that I needed to have my refund sent to a credit karma account in order to get my funds in 5 days.
Hopefully deposits start hitting soon. Come on Chime!!
@Dentonj88: I completely understand! I’m in the same boat! If I see or hear anything yall will be the first to know!!
@Sam I am: good to know..thank you! I’m a big ol ball of stress
Fellow PATHers with a 2/17 processing date and as of date for March 3rd or something goofy…if any of yall start to see your deposits, please let us know… I need a lil ray of positivity today. Bonus if it’s through Chime
@Dentonj88: I got an advance a while back, but have not received my federal yet. But Jackson Hewitt says that the IRS has been releasing PATH fund deposits today.
@WorriedTX: the TT 5 day early is also good for anyone who opted to have their fees taken out of the return – because normally when fees come out the bank that takes the fees will take 1-3 days to post the deposit to the receiving bank. So from what I understand, if you have fees taking out of your refund and have the 5 days early, Cross River bank will post to your bank the same day they receive it.
Does anyone know when my tax prep office should recieve my refund check and print it off? Ddd of 2/24?
@Walter DOG: Hey Walter glad you came on. last night was a wild night all the 05s were updating I thought I was going to be one I’m 0405 cycle my transcripts update in the mid morning as of date went back to Feb 17 2025 processing stayed at Feb 10 2025 and then as of date change back to march 3 2025 still have good codes as of dates are all the same for each past years transcripts Walter did u update to 846 last night being a weekly and did your as of date change back infourth please text back thankyou.
@WorriedTX: they refund if you don’t get it 5 days early. I’ve seen other people post that they got it refunded
@wade123: Errs is the error department where all unpostable returns go lol.
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