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.
@Jenny04: I’ve never used NetSpend for DD’s, but I bet it’ll come today. SBTPG usually paid me between 3 and 4 PM CST when it went through them for Paypal and I believe they are similar in releases. Fingers crossed.
@Steverloggedout: mine is for tomrrow(2/26/25) and its coming from sbtpg and going to netspend and nothing yet so most likely it wont show up till sometime tomrrow or even on 2/27/25, who knows. it shows funded on sbtpg…
@Jenny04: My DDD was 2/26, but the refund hit just before midnight last night (2/24)
I’m wondering if it is worth calling SBTPG to see what the issue is I mean seriously this is ridiculous.
While I wait for it to open and hopefully update I’m going to see if maybe clearing my browser history will make a difference bc this is wild
Hi IGMR fam. Still waiting for 2/26 DDD funds but have two bars now.
Make sure you donate to the community and get your star! Thanks for keeping this site up year after year for us. :)
@shelleybeanss: same thing here! Sbtpg showing recieved funded and my amount paid shows the direct deposit date of today yet nothing has hit my credit karma
@shelleybeanss: mine is for tomrrow 2/26 with sbtpg and going to netspend card and nothing yet. it says funded on sbtpg but nothing yet…. why is sbtpg holding our money…..
I am reallt considering starting a class action lawsuit against tt and sbtpg.. who would join??
@Steverloggedout: was your DD 2/24 or a different date?
Looks like no overnight updates have taken place. This is definitely weird.
Your tax return is still being processed. A refund date will be provided when available. For more information about processing delays, p
This is the real question ANYONE WITH 2/24 on sbtpg and transcript that hasn’t been funded yet?
COUNT YOUR EFFIN DAYS CHIME!! I say it every year… then I use them again the next year 🤣🤣🤣
2/26 impatiently waiting..
Morning,
DDD 2/26, denied 5 day early thing, fees came out of refund, DD hit PayPal 11 PM CST 02/24.
Thanks for keeping each other company!
Where do I find this trace number? How many digits is this trace number? My DDD is today but still nothing.
@anoel06: I have same except filed and accepted 2/13
So mad they are holding my refund because of previous tax year 2022! I submitted forms that my kids who are of age had fraudulent returns done in their name! I have to fax over my return that was rejected along with forms that my kids signed before March 6th.
I had a direct deposit date of 2/25/25, I received my refund at 4:21 a.m. with Chase.
Why hasn’t my money been deposited yet?
It definitely seems, reading through the comments that people with a ddd for today via sbtpg are having issues. Sbtpg has showed funded for me since Saturday. I truly would’ve expected ck to have had the deposit by early morning today. Being it’s almost 8am, I’m just worried. Last two years I’ve used CK and sbtpg I’ve gotten it the night before scheduled ddd
@757VApather: I am also a 757VAPather with a DDD of 2/26. I file the same every year and every year before I got a DD of 2/22. Money hit 2/20. This year TT is really making us wait. I filed my sister and my so’s taxes for them as well but they used freetax and they got theirs last week. I should have just done the same. Definitely will next year.
@Lost2025: You might want to call. Sounds like a possible id verify.
Received deposit this morning at 2:19am with VARO BANK…DDD is 2/26/25 🙌 Good Luck Everyone, Be patient it’s coming 🫶🏻🫶🏻
@shelleybeanss: Mine is tomorrow, im hoping it does something soon
@shelleybeanss: just hold on a tad bit longer cuz it’s coming. Mine dropped at 430 this morning.. tracking code popped up around 12 last night
SBTPG sent my money around 430 a.m. I just woke up to it in my account!
@Janise: I bank with them and so does my son we always get our regular employer pay a day or two ahead.
Hoping sbtpg updates when they open. My ddd was scheduled for today and no trace number, no pending deposit with ck yet. So frustrated