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.
well sbtpg is still saying the same thing for me all day with a date of 2/26/25 for a posted date with a DD to my account for the amount of my refund. i just don’t know why they won’t send it to netspend so i can get my damn money… anyone has any insite to this???
@wade123: Fortunately not me sorry.😁
@babygirl: When did you file?
@Big ben: The company will send you an invoice for the fee after a few months. So say if you use TT, you’ll get an email soon asking you to pay.
Is there anyone else who will be in this room with me in late April waiting on CP05?
your tax return is still being processed. a refund date will be provided when available. help!!!!. I’m I being audited???
I checked the IRS website and it says : your tax return is still being processed. a refund date will be provided when available. help!!!!. I’m I being audited???
@Dryhobojrkoff: nah. If the system can’t handle people logging in, then the system is a failure anyway. They need to fix it. Period. Shhh
The only way I could access my credit karma spend account was on a browser on my desktop. Browser on my phone wouldn’t let me access it. But it was accessible on my desktop. They need to get that app fixed asap. It’s crao that it’s crashed at the peak of deposits
@shelleybeanss: omg, that’s Soo messed up. I’m due to get my dd tomorrow 😩😩😩 what is wrong with them🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
@Texasguy: idk what they are doing but it’s not cool. It’s still down hrs later. Couldn’t reach anyone thru chat. They should be ashamed but clearly they don’t care 😞
@shelleybeanss: its working from the browser though and my virtual card is working too. So I would think the physical one is working too.
@Annaka: If you see it pending in your account, you might be able to call the automated system and have them release it early. My paycheck can be released one day early. You can also call them and ask them to release your paycheck or other deposits early automatically.
@Quana: Are they Trying to keep people from Transferring their funds out of CK? I just seen the CKMoney app not workin!! I hope my card still works
@Calamar: yay, waiting on mine
DDD 2/26
I just got my TT email. I’m assuming midnight earliest or noon tomorrow at the latest.
@Mandie: true but this year feels worse
@Quana: less than 20 min after my dd hit it went down. I was trying to transfer it to my normal bank so I could close my ck account. And boom, no access. And from what I’m reading the debit cards aren’t working either 😑
@Annaka: I am with navy fed and they never release my paycheck early so I assume they won’t release refunds early either. But you should be able to see it pending the day before it posts
@If only…: i think we all say this every year 😂 they’re consistently bad
I did the online chat for CK and asked WTH and they said they are doing a system update…. right….. more like a system went down
@Quana: yep same here. Ppl say their card isn’t working either.
@Quana: me too
@MSRazorbackPhD: Sbbt feels like they really dropped the ball this year
@If only…: Me either!