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.
@Txmomof3girls: website says I don’t need to but I called just in case. Lady said I don’t need to verify at the verification line. 🤷♀️
@Sharon. O: you should be able to get either a 13 or 14 digit number off of your transcript. Next to the code that stands for letter sent. That is the number you need to ID verify.
If the refund is taken, then sbbt won’t be able to take their fees and you will be responsible for them i believe. I encourage you to consider an advocate.
@Mom@3: Im in the same boat still waiting as well. Keep me updated what you hear.
@Miami-Dade305: look at the bottom of your transcript, across from the 846 …refund issued. There should be an amount. This is what you will be getting back.
@StopPlaying2025: Yes, they are.
@Fabfammamma: This happened to me one year. It was years ago but the IRS took most of my refund and I had to pay the advance back and late fees on top of it. I pray you get lucky and get the full amount! Or that they have changed things. 🥰
@Jay: exactly. I have managed to pay any fees up front bc if things like this exactly. I always get my DD, the same day the IRS issues the 846… right into my account without any real delay. No 3rd party.
@Mom@3: either way, you will be getting your money. It’s just frustrating not knowing exactly when, but the good news is it is definitely coming.
@Txmomof3girls: I called the lady said if I don’t need get a letter I don’t have to and the website says I don’t have to since I have a pin.
@Mom@3: it should be sent to cross river and then deposited into your account. Are you positive on account and routing numbers given on your tax return? If it isn’t deposited for whatever reason, you will either be getting a check from Cross or they will send it back to the IRS and they will mail out a check. However, I suspect you will be getting a deposit very soon.
@Mom@3: this is exactly why i stopped having my filing fees come out of my return.. i did that many years ago but stopped i think in 2016 or 2017 because the money got delayed being transferred from TT’s bank to my account and i waited about 15 business days for them to find the money and straighten it out and finally deposit the money in my account.. since then ive always paid up front
@Nita: this is crazy. I called sbtpg and they said no I won’t have to pay anything out of pocket that my refund will take care of it even if I have offset but I don’t know if the agent even understood me. So I will be out of my refund and have to be in debt again for advance and fees