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.
Any other early January filers, accepted early & WMR still showing the Path message?
Are their any Cashapp recipients as I have seen none on this site really and have been here for years. Several are reporting on Facebook. Maybe people have just gotten their money and gone. I am still here even though i’m approved.
@sherry: It took about a week with me being weekly.
@sherry: I just updated at 3am.
@Tia: do you know how long before you updated?
My year here is over too…. Thanks everyone for the help every year, this site it how I get through
05 I think I’m a weekly and have been for some time. Just checked and I got my 846 this morning DDD 2/26 !!! Filed 1/27. Last year was a hot damn mess with the 570 bs. I didn’t get my refund till May/June!
@sherry: I had that before mine updated.
@Jennyb: 🙌 Amen
@TaxStruggle: Amen 🙏🏾
Don’t worry. Those that filed around the 13th and are weekly. You may not update til next Thursday.
Sbtpg says cannot find my account. Anyone else get a similar issue/error message? Also I have all my codes and 846. 2nd bar on wmr .
@LadyVA: I filed 2/13, accepted 2/13 and transcript is there, says as of March 10, but no other info is populated. All zeros and no codes
Good morning. Anyone file on 2/14 and accepted 2/14 see any movement? My transcript is there just not populated yet.
@Jay Jay: Thank you, I didn’t pay for the five days early.
@Tonicmo88: if you paid for 5 days early you should get it today. Otherwise you might get it Monday at the least since you have a card that will post early. It also depends on when sbtpg or cross River transmit it
Wmr unavailable right now
@Jay Jay: Always appreciated! :)
@Sheila_33: good morning. Yes we did and I got my 846. Thank you for all your hard work here Sheila. I will still be here to help answer any questions others might have.