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.
@Deano: thank you
I don’t have shir!! Filed 1/16 accepted on 01/22. Got advance 30 minutes later. Paid fees upfront. Cycle code 0605 accepted 02/21 with funded on SBTPG stupid ass bank. DDD 2/26¢. No refund, No trace # nothing 😭😔😭
I filed with TurboTax for many years and SBTPG will send out your money the morning of your DDD it usually around 5:00am I usually received it around 11:00 ish am I never got it earlier than the day of DDD hope this helps
Best Wishes for all still Waiting 🙂
@LoveMy3Munchkins: My date is the same as yours but i still have no tracking.. these fools are playing around again like always. Then my bank is going to probably try to pull the same crap when they get it.
@Tosha: -means credit
What really drives me insane is the day l fact that I can’t even check the status of my refund. Cross River will not disclose any information about our refunds as it is TurboTax bank account.
@LoveMy3Munchkins: so u get the tracking number a day before deposit? Mine is the 26th….
Just got my tracking number from SBTPG. DDD is 2.25
Tax Preparer: TurboTax
Date Filed: Jan-29
Fees: From Refund
Bank: CreditKarma
WMR Bars: 2nd Bar
Date Accepted: Jan-29
Transcript: Online
Cycle Code: 0705
As of: Mar-10
Processing Date: Mar-3
WMR DDD: Feb-25
Refund Advance: CreditKarma
SBTPG shows funded but STILL no trace # 😢 I hope we get our DD tonight!🤞🤞🤞
I got the e-mail from TT saying my refund is on the way, but still no movement. This waiting got me so stressed that even my gotdamn toenails feel tensed up. 😫
We’re gonna get through this, y’all.
@Benita: mine is 02/26/25
@Jenny04: What day is your deposit date ? Mine is 2/25/25.
@Benita: just have name of the irs, the posted date, the method and the amount, that’s all.
@Benita: I don’t have that. It just shows what my amount is and my DDD is from irs. i don’t have any tracking number
@Starchild1111: when is your DDD?
Well tt just sent me email saying ur refund is on the way I can start checking my acct tomorrow or give 1-2 biz days rhey wit the games this year how they guan hold our funds passd our early deposit banks time frames got us sounding cray when we call our banks I have never had to wait til the day of my ddd to receive my funds this is rediculous
@Jenny04: Where it shows the amount sent to you at the bottom and scroll to the right.
@Benita: How do you find that??
@Dj zizi: I hope so, thank you.
@Benita: yea they sent it hopefully in the am u get it
@Miami: oh snap okay what part? I’m from west Kendall by Tamiami airport next to Lexus dealership
@Miami-Dade305: yesssss!
Sbbt just updated with a trace #.
Hope this helps my near mid-Feb filers
I’m a pather (I believed although I didn’t get notice this time)
Filed 1-10 Turbo Tax, Accepted 1-10
Blank Transcripts and only 152 with 1 bar until 2-21.
2-21 still 152 msg and 1 bar, but Transcripts showed 2-26 DDD
Now updated WMR bars show 2-26 deposit. I’m surprised it was fast
I paid $25 for 5 day but received a message stating that they couldn’t do it so I wasn’t charged
Good luck everyone
@Miami: you from Miami ?
@Benita: Ya, its crazy. Mines in 2 days and nothing but SBTPG says funded and the right amount for 2/26 but don’t have anthing yet and its going to Netspend which is a NHB so i don’t know what’s going on….
@Jenny04: I have DDD for 2/25/25 and nothing yet.
Have a DDD of 2/26 and went to SBTPG for fees taking out and it says funded but still haven’t received my money yet and its going to Netspend card… What’s going on?????
Just went to the bank today and cashed out $12K felt so good
@Elle: mine said that for about a week then update to path then update to approved/ refund date. It was nothing bad
@Nelson35:
Irs shows 846 on transcript since Friday. Today Monday still haven’t received my refund. I had no third party and bank with Bank of America. They holding our money!!
@Omega dread from Florida: thanks!
@Steve: 2/25
@Omega dread from Florida: what’s your DDD?
@Stephhaze: i meant necessarily lol
@Stephhaze: not necessary. It just happened to my cousin last week and once she updated on Fri, wmr updated with her ddd on Sat and tht message went away without having an audit or anything