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.
Mannnnnn this stinks why cant we all just update at the same time we want our money too😂
Weekly update Watch Party
@846 for every 1: not tequila tho. That’s some dangerous stuff
For people going off if WMR when does that update next?
@Mommianaof4: the updates happened long before 3am for the daily ppl
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: going run to dunkin for coffee
@Gorillamom4: shots for everyone
@*Blink Blink*: what was your deposit date? 02/24 or02/25??
@Gorillamom4: oh oh … Not the tequila 🙈
@846 for every 1: I’m in Florida. So that would be est
Yall don’t wait til 3am no more to check 😭 let me know when the 846 start dropping for the 0605’ers
Doesn’t look like I missed anything. Heck I dozed off partying with them daily people.
@Jay Jay: I’ve only got tequila lol
I am going to predict 1030 they start updating
When they start updating let’s post time zones as because I’m pacific time
Who has the beer right now? 🍺🥂
@DeeBlock: that’s everyone here tonight. But trust it will start updating. We just very impatient people 😂
I just checked and NADAAAA. I haven’t been on all day and knew should not have even bothered lol. The agony of it all! Cycle code 20250505 still sitting in limbo!
@Jay Jay not logged in: I swear I’m bout to do the same thing. 😂.
I smell action brewing up strong
Oh geeze I’m in line waiting
@Jay Jay not logged in: I feel like that’s what most people are doing lol we may never know