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.
@VAMom: Your good news has brought me a little hope!
I had a 570 on my transcripts, I called a tax advocate because I am in a really tight spot right now and I really needed this years refund on time! They aren’t taking these cases until June! As it turns out, I was sent an updated W2 from my job after I filed. I didn’t realize it because I downloaded it from the payroll software. I filed an amended return a week ago and thought, I just went from 60 days to 16 weeks! ouch!
Are you able to pull a status from WMR for your amended return, or did you just happen to see the transcript update?
@sheila_33 hi there, question for you I have a 570 and 971 past two weeks now my transcripts didn’t update today as it normally does, my as of date is still 3/10 is that because of the 570?
@Sheila_33: oh ok I hope so
@Beenpatientallmylifetillnow: Hopefully, it will be this evening. Some of these deposits have been later in the day.
@Sheila_33:
2023 account transcript says —
As of March 03, 2025
@Mary Ann: It’s possible, since transcripts have been known to update later in the day. Also, don’t rule out changing to daily processing. I have been self employed since 2016, and a weekly and 3 years ago became a daily. If you don’t see some movement though today or in the morning, you may be looking at next week.
@Sheila_33: and they still havent dropped my deposit via netspend smh. Will it come today you think?
@Sheila_33: my 2023 as of date says March 03? So does that mean there is still hope to update todot?
@MaryAnn: Check previous years transcripts. If the as of date is March 17, 2025, you are in the system, but you just haven’t finished yet. Unless there’s an issue like verification or a review of information, it’s possible you could see movement next week.
Well, woke up this afternoon (work nightshift) with my refund deposited in my account today! Woot, Woot…..DDD was 3/5/2025 DD into 53 Bank, filed with FreeTaxUSA, NO 5 day early deposit with any tax prep software, just the way my bank works: they release the funds as soon as they get notice of an incoming DD.
@Beenpatientallmylifetillnow: The “as of” date is when something has to be done by. In your situation, it is to make sure the deposit is made by that date.
Still no update…I am a weekly because I am self employed. Filed 2/10 accepted 2/10. One bar on WMR with standard 152. I do not even see a 2024 account transcript… Should have updated last Friday…and still hasn’t updated today as of this moment? I don’t think I have ever had it come in past 3pm before? Why would it not even show a transcript for 2024…only a non filing letter??? How late do they do updates today? Please help if anyone has any answers… 🙏💚
@Question: Not unless IRS requests you to send it.
Filed 2/10 accepted 2/13 846 yesterday with ddd 3-5
Just got my money today with 5 days early
@Pinky: what did they say?