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.
@VA757pather: Im trying to not become a day drinker, lol this is really insane
Still NO DEPOSIT!!
I have trace #
It’s going from a green dot bank to another GREEN DOT BANK
WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG
this is weird man Sbtpg dropped the ball !!!
@Kimber: your transcripts may update later today, I think wed and Friday are mass update days
From what I’m seeing all over Facebook, a lot of people went back to pending on turbo tax website, but a lot of other people are commenting that it’s a good sign that the deposit will be on our accounts today. Just hoping and praying we all see our funds. Like I said before, I never had to wait this long. Never using TT again.
I filed 2/18/25 EIC and ACC. Accepted 2/18/25 FreeTax. Paid for State. I usually get my refund 8 days later for the past few years. I checked transcripts. Still nothing, “non filed” WMR said received and processing 1 bar. I do not understand why my transcripts are not moving. Last year I was 04 cycle. This is worrying me. What is going on?
@2blessed 2: was it tt?
@Catgirl@: Me either this is ridiculous
I got my deposit, ddd 2/26 I bank with capital 1, H&R Block fees out of refund! It came at 1:08am
@Catgirl@: My dd is today i have nothing
@VA757pather: I absolutely agree! I’ve said so many years I’m not using TT or SBTPG again! This year I truly mean it! It’s such an inconvenience and we already (most of us) have the inconvenience of the PATH ACT. so I’ll be using H&R Block software from here on out. This year was a train wreck!
I can’t believe I still don’t have a deposit and my dd is today 02/26, I have never had to wait this long for my deposit
@Trice: this is sad really multimillion dollar companies dropping the ball
Like this is INSANE
@SickaThisTaxIsh: I just trippin over the inconsistency; and I hope you get urs soon ; I’m still waiting on a deposit; it’s just nerve wrecking ; and to see your money just sitting on a site when u need it is crazy !!! We can see it where it says funded but for some reason it’s not
In Our accounts
@Christina032: I’m seeing the same this is insane
@Jenny04: I do know most of the 2/25ers got there’s without the trace #. So I guess it’s not a big deal just an extra confirmation that it was sent. I mean MOST of them didn’t get the trace and if they did it was after they received their deposit
@SickaThisTaxIsh: I can only hop
@If only…: what are they waiting for???? This is crazy shittz… who knows when we will get it… probably tomrrow…
@If only…: still don’t! I guess we are some of the ones who won’t receive a trace?
Today is my DDD and now all of a sudden my turbo tax says pending when before it said accepted. They out here working in reverse. I need my funds today. This is crazy. Never had to wait this long.
Not me waking up to no money and no trace #! 😩😩 I’ll be so glad when that deposit drops! I’m so over this!
@Bobeatz: thanks bro really ur comment was a relief ; i know next year I’m gonna just pay upfront and probably use free tax USA or just eFile on IRS WEBSITE; sbtpg dropped the ball badddddd
@Jenny04: Same here😑
I know its frustrating for everybody, im waiting as well with CK i would normally have it by now. I also don’t have a trace number but the automated line said it was directed deposited on 2/26/ which is my ddd. however, I followed the responses from the people with 2/25 DDD and alot of them didn’t start to see their DD until around 11am and afterwards. Note I got the Turbotax email yesterday too around 7pm. People were receiving their deposits without the trace numbers too.
@If only…: nothing yet….
Irs still on 2nd bar it doesn’t say sent yet
My turbo tax went back to pending my ddd is today my 5 day early was rejected I used chime and nothing
@Shellysgirl1968: My transcripts updated on 2/21 with a DDD
Weird weird tax season !!
@VA757pather: I got the email early yesterday afternoon but still no trace number….. Its driving me nuts
@Stephrod101: possibly, I heard some went to cross river but I’ve not used that before, and I didn’t do the advance or the 5days early options
@FloridaMotherof3: so you had blank transcripts and got your direct deposit?
@If only…: What if you received the Refund Advance but paid fees up front? Will there still be a trace # ?
@Stephrod101: I’m sorry ; this year has been very weird and inconsistent; I have a trace number but still waiting on deposit ! I got it 4am last year I just checked my bank account …super weird year!!
@First December: it’s on sbtpg website, click the “taxpayer” icon and the. I put your info…scroll to bottom
Where it has your refund amount sent to you, scroll over and you should see it under your direct deposit account last four numbers
It’s a 15 digit number I think
@First December: Trace number is sbbt, it only applies if you had your fees taken out of your refund on tt
@2blessed 2: How did you get a trace number? Is that a specific website? I’ve been tracking refunds for a while, but know nothing about the trace number.
DDD 02/26, No email from TT, No trace number from Sbtpg, no funds on CK! Never again! My son went thru TT, DDD 2/26, Path, fees out of refund, got TT email, Received Trace #, and has Capital one, waiting for DD to hit account. Me not a single movement!!
@Horsecharlie09: I just went on the
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WEBSITE and I typed in Santa Barbara tax and the business popped up it said it’s not registered with the BBB and they have many bad reviews with money being taken; it’s crazy how they are doing people ; I am praying that you get this resolved and get a trace number or some results; I can understand why you are so worried by looking at the complaints
I am thankful to have my trace number and I’m praying and hoping u get YOUR MONEY and some type of clarification
@Estie: I’m in the same boat
Got trace numbers yesterday around
10:30pm. Then deposit hit at 4:00am
Exactly. DDD 2/26 cycle code 0605
Weekly and pather. Hang in there guys, it’s coming. 🙏🏾
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