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: no codes it’s not even processing just an as of date of 03/03
@Dentonj88: I have the actual 864 with DDD 2/24. Nothing yet
@wade123: wmr will update in the morning to reflect the 570 and 971 code and I suspect it’s nothing more then a review where they don’t need anything I got that and received my refund March 13
@Monee: I like seeing messaging changing on the Wmr, since it reflects action on the transcript that we can’t see. Fingers crossed it’s a good sign. :)
@mickey m: what codes do you have?
*checked
@Pinky: I did when I check at 2:30 am today
Just called a tax advocate 1 877-777-4778 she said they need more information I should be getting a letter within 14 days from today to ID verify. Does anyone know what they need when they do that.
@SierraMama: it should show funded today sometime
Ddd of 2/26. Netspend with no fees! Anyone else?
@mickey m: mine just says it’s still being processed but I get that message every year. Still no other updates for me, no letters or anything!
@Dentonj88: just the 846 for 2/26. I paid fees upfront and I get my funds early thru navy federal
@Dentonj88: Mine is for 2/26 and pending in my credit union account
@Dentonj88: SBTPG told a few people on here that they will hold our refund until the day of our DDD. My date is 2/24 and they haven’t released my funds to me yet.
Did you all get just the 846 code or the actual deposit? Any 2/26ers (or even 2/24ers) that got their deposit already?
When does Varo bank do deposits?
Got the elusive 846 this morning. Beside it was refund issued 2 26 25
Can someone explain
@Mandyjustwaiting: I did the same but had my fees taken out. I am wondering the same thing.
@Dentonj88: i got my 846 yesterday morning. Wmr didn’t update with approved and DD til this morning.
@Just me flipping out: 570 is a freeze code, 971 is noticed issued telling you what they are looking at. In the letter it will either tell you to send in information or request that you give them more time to process your return. Once you get the 971 I would look at getting a tax advocate based off of what that notice says. You can use the search bar to see previous users that had the same 570 and 971 codes, some resolved quickly and others took several months to resolve.
@Pinky: Yes I woke up to one