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 āqueueā 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.
@Jessica C: did it show yet?
So Sbtpg has had my money since Wednesday. My ddd is 2/24. So they wonāt release it to me until Monday? Their site even says we should receive it in 1-2 business days. Today is 2 business days. Any ideas?
@Mandie: it really doesn’t matter what WMR says. Cause in previous years WMR would not even show refund sent and you’ll already have your money in your account. I stopped looking at wmr years ago. I only look at transcripts
@Neighbor: Once you get the 846, I wouldn’t even worry about WMR anymore, it’s slow. But I think it should update tomorrow.
@Sheila_33: I have heard from some people there is a stark difference between a 570 and 971 showing up together at the same time and 570 and 971 showing up spread apart by time. They are suggesting code 570 with 971 has a notice for more action/info but when a 971 comes a week later as in my case, it is likely nothing more than a notice like a CP12 or something saying they found this, or fixed that and that a code 571 will come soon after. I know trying to read the IRS is a recipe for disaster, but does that make any sense to you?
@Nicole0121: it’s not with TurboTax yet… It takes time.. usually around 1-2 or 5-6
Refund approved! Ddd 25th
Wmr can update any day. Even if you don’t see movement on the transcript on your side, the wmr will. I’ve seen Wmr update to “still processing” messages after path lifted on a weekend a few years ago. Check out the 2020 archives.
Good morning! Just an update. DDD 2/25. Refund just posted to my SoFi account. Although my tax year is complete, Iām still here to assist in any way I can. I have learned a lot for Sheila and Walter as well as self learned. Good luck to everyone! šš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾
@Walter DOG: But I am not a weekly, I am a daily as my profile suggests. Cycle code on transcripts is 04. Also, on Friday last week I only had the code for refund received and EITC 150 and 768. And WMR said refund received and is being processed. It was last week on Saturday I updated to code 570 and WMR also updated to the PATH message. WMR did not update to code 570. I just got code 971 today. So why did my WMR not ever update to code 570, but now tomorrow I should expect that on WMR? Just confused
Mine is like chime so I’ll let y’all know if I get mine too… I usually get my govt checks at 10:50 my time and that’s in 10 min
@Thomas4them: I definitely will and you do the same
@Jay Jay: please update if you receive a deposit. Im with chime
@wade123: yes they need to stop it with the lies
@Barbz: I’m with cash app too hun looks like we won’t be seeing our money till Monday cause idk what’s going on I got a email from tt this morning saying they will send it on 2/24 that’s my 5 day early was refunded back etc. but I’ve done got my ddd for 2/24 on wmr and I haven’t seen anything on cash app yet but I have noticed a lot of cash app people saying they haven’t gotten anything yet tho
@wade123: yes for Weeklies it does only on Saturday and your weekly so about 3.30 am your wmr will reflect the 570 and 971 and I suspect itās a short review and the letter will state they donāt need anything at this time
Received my 846 last night, How long does it take for SBGT to receive funds? Mine still shows unfunded. I went thru TT early advance and paid fee upfront. From what I see on the forum if you have a processing date of 02/24/2025 and a DDD of 02/26/2025, you will not get a refund if your lucky until 02/25/2025? TIA.
@Jay Jay: I dont know why their IRS feels the need to lie to us on their own website saying WMR updates daily at 3AM if they only update on Saturdays.
@Neighbor: It wonāt update til tomorrow
@AngieMaree: I have Navy Federal but don’t use them for my taxes anymore. They always deposit on the day of, never earlier. (In my case.)
Refund advantage says that they released my refund to Navy Fed. But Navy Fed says they donāt see it. They even gave me a trace numberā¦ anyone else have this issue? DD 2/25