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.
@If only…: ok girl. get some sleep. ya i hope so to but doubtful right now. ill let u know if the grace of god hits me… goodnight
@Jenny04: Well im gonna try to sleep, hopefully in the morning well have money
@If only…: nothing here also :/
Just got my DD. Wasn’t expecting it till tomorrow. Filed with TT with fees taken from refund, my DDD was 2/26/25 so I got it one day early. Received notification from credit karma about 5 minutes ago that I received my federal refund. Eastern time zone. Located in southwest Michigan.
@Graciousgambino: Congrats, just checked mine and still no go
Just updated to trace number on sptbg! And the church say AMEN!! ‼️
Still don’t have a trace number 😕
@Jenny04: Still no trace here
Just check sbtpg and I got a trace number my ddd is 2/26 hopefully I wake up to my fund in my account
@Nobodyputsbabyinthecorner: i got my email from TT hours ago about my deposit but no trace number on sbtpg but its been funded to my account it says with a post date of 2/26 so idk whats going on with sbtpg but I need my money now.. JD wentworth lol ;) 977cashnowlol
@Nobodyputsbabyinthecorner: that’s awesome
Hey guys, just wanted to provide an update. I just got my TT email about my refund being deposited and then I just received my trace number from SBTPG! So hopefully by morning, I should see my deposit in my bank!! Till next year, I will not be using TurboTax or Santa Barbara. None of these shits next year.!
@Duncana9393: Yes. I found my answer. search CROSS RIVER in the tool at the top of this website. IGMR has plenty on it. Apparently most Chime and cashapp DD who were denied the 5 day early went through cross River, not SBTPG. I have Chime and I’m not found at TPG, they don’t have my SS on file there
@LadyVA: Thanks, I hope its much simpler for you
@If only…: hopefully it will update overnight 🙏🏽
@Loganlee143: I know, I usually have it before now and Im in the process of buying equipment for my home business and I was given a once in a lifetime type deal but Im not guaranteed it until I pay….. And tpg is being difficult this year
finally got a trace number on sbtpg
@LadyVA: I feel that, I think I just missed the cutoff for the first batch when I filed, haven’t done that before….. This is the latest I’ve ever gotten my refund