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.
Filed 1/24 accepted the same day, NEVER PROCESSED, had a verify id notification on my IRS account but no notice of letter sent for a week. Spoke with multiple IRS agents that could not help until 21 days passed. Received a letter this past Tuesday! Called the IRS and verified over the phone. I was told I wouldn’t get my refund for 9 weeks! By the grace of God my transcripts updated with a DDD of 2/26! I know this was a long post but hang in there folks our money is coming! So grateful and thankful I’ve had a knot in my stomach for weeks!!!!! 🥳🍾
@Keisha: Hi congratulations do your as of date have march 10 2025 and your past transcripts years as well because mines do I notice that after my ddd Feb 26 2025 all past transcripts has as of dates march 10 2025 can u please check yours and let me know if it’s on yours as well thankyou.
@orianasenoj: if it started to populate, then it’s in process of being processed. It could still fill in by later this morning. Also, you just filed 2/14. There are at least 1 or 2 ahead of you in the system.
No insight? K thanks
Hey everyone..my transcripts updated. I checked at 3 am. My 846 code says Feb. 26th. I hope everyone’s updates soon
Thank the lord! DDD 2/26! :)
846 showed up. 0505ers are starting.
Sbtpg says funded. U Der amount paid to you it says date posted 2/25/2025. They’re really gonna hold my money until Tuesday 😂 Oh well. The wait is almost over
20250805 when should I receive my deposit
@DillPickle: Sorry typo. It’s late lol. Did you pay fees upfront?
😭😭😭😭 I’m sooo confused. My 2024 acct transcript just populated but it says no return filed. I filed 2/14 accepted the same day. Why is it not processing ughhhh
@Horsecharlie09: Perhaps they are updating? Mine did that right before I got the 846.
@Txmomof3girls: yes, correct amount beside 846.
@DillPickle: Die u pay fees upfront or the fees being taken from refund? I used cashapp as well. Congratulations
Well my people the wait is finally over and I got that sweet sweet hit the spot make you wanna slap yo mama ohhhh weee 846! Cycle Code 20250505 PATHER who was accepted 01/17/2025 and my DD is set for 02/26/2025 I’m not sure how TT is going to get it to me 5 days early lol we’ll have to see. But finally the wait is over. Congratulations to everyone that got their codes and off to 846 land! Until next year!
@DillPickle: same here 2/26 DDD and I use Cashapp. Finally 0505ers see some movement !
Got an 846 for 2/26. Paid extra to get it 5 days early so I should get it sometime tomorrow.
I also owed for 2021. They have that credit from this refund going to the balance. Owing did not hold up my refund
@HuntingtonBeachmomof4_notsignedin: I did over the phone This past Wednesday around 11:am transcript updated this morning
Does anyone know why it would say transcripts unavailable, tray again later? It says that when I click on 2024, 2023, 2022….
846 02/26! I use cashapp so there’s never any fees and deposit will hit today since there’s no holds. God is good!
See yall next year
@ChristineG84: 971 is notice issued, they’re sending you a letter about something. Is your correct amount showing next to 846?
I’m a weekly pather 20250505 and got a 846 this morning ddd 2/26!!!