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.
For those waiting on a response from sending in the 1095 marketplace verification, my daughter updated about three weeks after sending in the necessary paperwork to verify. She populated with her 846 this morning. Whew, that child is always giving me stress, lol. Congratulations to all the 846’s this morning!
@SLB2025: so happy for you but that laces me even more perplexed because I was accepted 2/14. WTH is going on?
Filed 2/14, accepted 2/15. Have had notice of non-filing and “no return filed” account transcript up until this AM. This AM, it finally populated to as of date 03/05/05 and shows refund amount. Finally.
I’m so irritated I filed 2/14 was accepted same day and everything is still blank and no notices. Kindve irritated my car broke down a few months ago and I didn’t want payments on a new car so o decided to wait. Tired of waiting 😭😭😭
Filed 2-23
Accepted 2-23
Got a DDD for 3-5
Last year took 4 weeks
This year only took 5 days for transcripts to update. And I’m still a weekly
Cycle code of 20250905
Has anyone who filed with turbo tax got the 5 days early?
ID verified on 2/24/25. just checked my transcript and updated to DDD for 3/5/25 and I thank God now I can get a car to take my kids to school and groceries. Praying for everyone else who’s still waiting. Don’t give up. Thank you to everyone who helped me on this site. God bless.
Account transcript populated with 846 and date of 3/5.
Question: If it says issued, has it already been sent to the bank?
Finally !!!! Filed 1/19 accepted 1/27 had to vérify 2/11 and DDD of 3/5
Filed 2/10 accepted 2/13 Completely blank transcripts until now I got 846 code.
Hello, yearly lurker here… Filed my return on the 18th Of February and accepted the same day… Finally got an update just now!!! transcripts updated to 3/5 date, cycle code 20250905 under 846! Whew so glad im done and just waiting…
Hey y’all!! Just got some goods news, HRB, filed 2/13 Pather empty transcripts til today weekly just got code 846 for 3/5!! 🙃🙃‼️‼️Hang in there y’all it’s comin! First smooth year in foooorever usually I have freeze codes that iron themselves out but scared me to death 💯💯Love all y’all who offer us this forum to keep us sane every year‼️🤜🤛🎇
@IAMHeiress: same so far.
@IAMHeiress: i think thats a good sign. Come back to let us know please
Only change is as of from 3/10 to 3/17, so far
Wow ..I was hoping to see so many people come on here with updates on Transcripts by now…but it’s been 🦗🦗🦗🦗 for 30+ minutes… 😂
I am so ready to update!
I filed my taxes 01/15 still haven’t got my refund. blank transcripts, no codes,
notices. nothing i’m just very discouraged. and don’t understand why i haven’t got anything back yet or a letter.
@DeLectable2U: how did you find out it’s being reviewed ? Did you get a letter?
Filed/Accepted 2/2. Blank transcripts. As of 2/24/25. WMR still processing. No letters. No codes. No alerts.
Here’s to filled transcripts complete with 846 for all who wait! Let’s go 🎉
@Yearlylurker2025: I still have no transcript. (filed 2/4, First time not being a PATHer, being reviewed for the first time and “Still being processed” message. I have NO IDEA what to expect. I’m TRYING to think positive and be patient. Fingers crossed for us all!
@jemar707: Just curios, does your wmr display still waiting with 152 code or still without or being ? Chime in anyone im sure its a scattered amount between us all.
2/12er here. Blank transcript. Here for the watch party hoping for movement tonight!!
@Yearlylurker2025: I would think you will update tonight. 🥰
@DTM2025: this method no longer works. After you press other questions it transports you to another automated system and if you dont tell her what you want she hangs up on you. If you do tell her what you want she tells you to go online.
@Keepinghopealive: do they still let you do that??
@Yearlylurker2025 You’re not alone, I have no transcript. Filed 2/12
O wow, it’s dead in here! Am I the only with no transcript 😩 filed 2/13 and nothing! Absolutely nothing! Nowhere!🥺…used taxact by the way. Praying for some type of movement tonight!
@Alliecatt: I use the method ise@Alliecatt: This is one of the fastest ways to talk to a human at the IRS. Here are the detailed steps to speak to HUMAN at the IRS:
Dial the official IRS refund status number (800) 829-1040
Press Option #1
Press Option #2
Ignore whatever they say and then press 000000
Listen to automated message and just ignore whatever they say
Stay on phone and you will be put through to someone
This method is saved on this site. I called 3 times this tax season and spoke to someone in under 5 mins. Easy as pie. I had a 570/971 and the lady told me what the letter was before it was available.
@EagerlywaitingNC:
Greetings from NC. Here is your answer.
971 – notice issued
570 – hold/stop
971 letters are generally received quickly.
The hold initiated by 570 has to be released by certain other actions. I do remember there are specific instances where a return will hold for one or two cycles until starting to process again (I read that in the IRS mEF handbook). A 570 isn’t anything to particularly freak out about for the first week, possibly even two. Being that sometimes the computer just does it to mitigate its own internal errors, sometimes the system needs more information to validate something on your return which is usually available but at that moment isn’t.
How in the hell do you get a representative with their new dumb auto system? I’ve been waiting for my letter forever and I need someone to help me. Ive even requested it to come again.
@reallybroke: as long d you do not owe money to the IRS the as of date doesn’t really affect you.
my account transcript is blank but it has an as of date March 10. What is the meaning of the as of date?
@Sheila_33: Thank you for that info. I’ll check when I get up in the morning, then. Hopefully, I’ll see something then. I’ll keep y’all posted.
Filed HR Block 2/10 … Accepted 2/10… One bar with 152 message. No change… but I am a weekly and fully expecting transcript update tomorrow and WMR DDD deposit update on Saturday for Wednesday 03/05. It has been like this for at least 12 years!
I am self employed which is why I have always been a weekly.
Hope this helps someone…
Filled 2/10 accepted 2/13 blank transcripts and no updates at all, is this normal?
@Just Joi: The way transcripts have been updating lately, I’d say start checking before bed. But, last week I don’t think we saw a lot of movement until after around 3 in the morning for 05s.
@Sheila_33: When do they process? Overnight or all day? I’m wondering if I should keep checking or just wait until tomorrow morning.
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-transaction-code-570-and-delayed-tax-refunds/
@VAMom: Yes, since the amended will restart the process and resolve the cp05.