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.
JUST UPDATED !
0605 DD 02/26
0405 ddd 2/26 finally🙄
@Walter DOG: I didn’t do the 5 day early bc you couldn’t do the 5 day early and apply 4 the advance. You either had to choose 5 day early, or apply. I chose to apply 4 advance
I just updated got my 846. It’s coming weeklies.
0605
846 received DD 2/26
@Justin V: Got mines yest!!! Just here for supprt! And thats GRRRREEEEEATTTTTT
@Morris: I just got my 846 code for the 26th and I’m cycle 0605
Got an 846 with DD 2/26
I got my 846!!!! DD 2/26/2025. 0505. Finally!! I’m in Fl if this info helps. Also I checked at 12 am it was not there. Checked just now at 12:22, it was there… 846 on my transcript!
Morris check now
O505 846 just posted 2/26!DD
Got my 846 and I’m 0505 their hitting now
@Yourfavgirl: 846 Is dropping everywhere….refresh and check again alot of people are getting it tonight
I just got my 846. It’s on now
So that was insane but I literally just got into my transcripts to see if anything had posted instead of a zero and they literally populated right in front of me exclamation it showed zeros and then I blinked a couple of times and my numbers filled in and I guess it made up for lost time because I have my 8:46 as of 02/26. Again this was the first year that I had no transcripts at all up until now and all of that literally happens in front of my eyes so hang in there guys!
got it! 2/26 0505 weekly!
Yaaaaassss!!! 0505 846 for 2/26 just posted
I received my deposit today through paypal around noon and I did get it 5 days early paying the $25 with turbotax My deposit date was for the 24th
0405 DDD 2/26 just hit
No one is seeing the beautiful 846 yet??? Its coming everyone. Patience is keyyyyyyyyyy
ME TOO FOR 0405 CYCLE CODE!!!!!!!
DDD OF 2/26
true weekly here 0505. 846 just posted
Just got my 846 for 2/26! 0505 Cycle.
@Horsecharlie09: I see people talking about paying 25 dollars to turbo tax to get refund 5 days early so mabe if you did I use free tax and it’s free and I have Chime
and im and 0405 cycle
No 846 Codes Yet
I’m going to wait until I see 0605 post
@Jay Jay: told you 12:12 i’d be floored if my prediction was right lol
The site is jammed now
@Mandie: I got it this year too. Thing is I do not know much about the whole daily and weekly thing. The only year I’ve checked my transcript was last year. The only thing I do know is that I’ve always gotten deposits on Fridays. And for the last so many years I’ve done my taxes through Jackson Hewitt although this year I did it through TurboTax and got the advance as well as the CK card. So idk how all of that works but somebody responded saying that deposits quickly.
Let’s just wait for 5 or more to say it’s there
@Blue Chyna: oh wow dang! Well…. congrats! Atleast you know it’s there. little bit surprised that it says that it’s been funded and you still don’t have it. So hopefully you get it really soon!!! :)