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.
Chime just hit Florida….. Ching Ching was a path 846 code yesterday and is a daily file end of January updated last Tuesday with hood code but not the 846 code it didn’t appear until last night
Refund just hit my bank account (credit union) with Turbo Tax 5 Day early refund. All fees paid out of my refund. My 846 date is 2/24/25. Hopefully, this give you some hope…it’s coming.
@Mom@3: Im going to go read the fine print they sent because now it may redirect us to sbptg
@Awalkee: not yet but Republic bank showing fees taken out. It hasn’t went to card yet.
Republic Bank Jackson Hewitt just received my refund eventually on the way to Serve Card 🎉🎉🎉🎉
@Vontane: right on!
@RELIEF2020: you’ll probably update Friday morning with the rest of us true weeklies.
@RuthBaby: Will definitely spend that extra $25 next year!
@Vontane: 😂😂 let me tell you something, that $25 was worth it! My mind is now at ease.
TurboTax updated showing refund received just waiting on chime,paid for the five days early. However, I usually get my refund within 24 hours after getting 846.
@RuthBaby: I didn’t, I seen when they offered it but I didn’t choose it. Looking back now I definitely should have 🤣
JH serve card hit yet?
@Jenny04: If they got it fixed, I don’t think it will take 8 weeks. Maybe you’ll get an update Friday morning, fingers crossed. :)
@Vontane: did you pay to receive your funds 5 days early?
@southern9700: I have not yet Thank You for letting me know
Republic just updated saying that they received my refund and sent it to my serve card, just waiting for it to deposit now. Did have fees and advance taken out of my refund.
@Chim Nerves: Did you pay your fees upfront?
@Toni: mine has the accepted bubble filled but it has the old (wrong) DDD of 2/7 not filled in…I’m not sure why it’d backpedal unless it’s maybe mid-update?
@Toni: mine did the same, but i already received my deposit something like 30 mins ago.
Still waiting too
Just speaking off of the last few years for me… I file with TurboTax and get fees taken out of my refund. So if your ddd is set then don’t expect it before then because sbtpg isn’t going to letting up until the exact date. So with that said, Monday need to hurry tf up and get here!! 🥴🤣
@Sheila_33: Did you see my message at all?
@Vanessaa: I’m not sure, but it sounds like it.
@Deano: it just updated and states its being sent to my bank
@CHIM NERVES: I’m Chime also but I don’t have a DDD yet :( (Indiana) Can I ask what your processing date was on your transcript?
IL JUST HIT CHIME TT 2/24
@Kay212: that’s wassup I’m still waiting
Hey all not sure if anyone asked this question or not..but is there a special reason why TT went from accepted in the middle to now pending?
@Girl89: awesome…were you on path? i filled jan 31 and ws accepted same day all codes filled in just no 846 ddd im a weekly so im wondering wmr stuck on path message.paid fees upfront have chime card any idea whn i should see some good news lol