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.
@Sheila_33: hey Sheila is it a different between the verbiage between still processing and processing message because my 152 tax code went away and now says still processing with amount
@EagerlywaitingNC: 1-800-304-3107
@HeyyKayy: where is the offset line
Update: still have the 810 code. Long story short, I entered the TOTAL taxes paid in the federal taxes witheld box. The Irs agent kept talking about witholding and I ended up reaching out to my payroll processor. They showed me how to view the w2 so I sent in a corrected W2 and amended my tax return. The amended w2 is already showing, but who knows how long this will take. My amended return isn’t showing yet but the site said it takes 3 weeks. I can’t be mad though. All I can do is pray it moves fast.
Filed and accepted 2/11 (although when I spoke to someone at IRS they said it was accepted 2/13) no activity whatsoever, no path message and I have all the credits, nothing ever changed except it showing my refund was accepted and being processed with topic 152. Woke up today to it being approved and will be received by DD 3/10/25 and I do have some of it being taken for an offset and the offset line says payment is on 3/5/25. I assume I’ll see it in my Wells Fargo acct between the 5th and the 10th.
@Sheila_33 So, my question is: is it a positive sign WMR updated to my refund is being processed and my dollar amount returned or is it just par for the course and part of the review process and wishful thinking on my part? Its ok, be honest, I can take it, lol
@Sheila_33
1. On Jan 17 I efiled. Got accepted instantly.
2. On Tuesday Jan 21 WMR updated to receive with TT152 and my refund amount was there. No PATH message at this time.
3. My next update was On Feb 15 my WMR updated from received and TT152 to the PATH message and my amount on WMR disappeared. I also got code 570 that night.
4. 1 week later on Feb 22 I got code 971. My WMR stayed the same with the PATH message and still no dollar amount
5. Now on March 1 my WMR updated your return is being processed and my refund amount is back. Still 971 code and still have not received the letter, but TAS said it’s a CP05, no action needed at this time and to allow up to 60 days to review.
@Nat Bat: Wmr reflects the transcript, even if we can’t see it on our side. I would be optimistic. Sounds like something is moving. :)
@Sharon. O: For some it has been taking between 2 to 3 weeks to update.
@EagerlywaitingNC: mine switched to mailed check as well. I’ve used the same dd for several years and was shocked to see it. Mine says on wmr mailed on the 28. I’m hoping it’s quick. I only live 2 hours west of Kansas City mo and that’s where I was told it would be coming from.
After 5 weeks I finally got my letter to verify my identity and did so. I am a weekly. Does anyone know how long it now takes to show some movement
570 with 971 with different dates filed 2-1-2025 excepted same day
@Lei: well here’s to hoping we see something change next Friday! I’m not in dire need of my retune but it’s still nice to have. Or at least let us know what the hold up is lol
@Deb: my as of date was either 2/17 or 2/24 before it changed. PATH is for those of us who claimed earned income credit or additional child tax credit. Basically irs wouldn’t even touch our returns until mid February every year.
Filed Daughters tax return simple return and only little over 300 dollar return and her wmr says still processing this is first time she has filed taxes at 19 years old don’t know why they are not approving it doesn’t make any sense
@Teammate: thank you for the response
@Mia: no difference just generic wording
@Nat Bat: I have the exact same, same dates and everything.
@Teammate: if you kno the answer could you please respond to the message i wrote under you post please
@Nat: Thank you for the reply! What does it mean when you say “after PATH lifted”? And what was your as of date before it changed to 3/10?
@Tryingtopaymybills: I had to ID verify last year. Did the verification over the phone at the end of February and didn’t get my money till the beginning of April. They sent a paper check and not direct deposit. If you had to ID verify don’t expect any movement on your return for a while. It may be a couple of weeks before any transcript changes.
Filed 02/24.Check wmr went from bring processed with tax topic 152 now showing being still processed no tax topic and blank transcript only as of 03-17 can someone explain if its a difference from “it is being processed” to the” still being processed”
@Deb: I highly doubt it. I’m an 05 weekly too and we don’t update but once a week, usually Friday mornings. The processing date shouldn’t affect anything but I could be wrong. My processing date is 2/17 on my transcripts and I haven’t had any movement after PATH lifted except my as of moved to 3/10 last week. Our best bet is expect any changes to be next Friday morning.
My as is date changed yesterday from 3/10 now it’s 3/24. I’m a weekly 05. What does this change means . I did checked my SSA account and it has my income information posted for 2024. Anyone has insight.please share
Return accepted 2/13, cycle 05, weekly, processing date 3/3, but have an 810 refund freeze on my transcript. No changes as of this morning. Should I expect an update today or tomorrow, and possibly a code 846 by 3/3?
@Flgirl68: No had the 971 then 570 then 571 then 846 but never got a notice or had to do anything
@$dollbaby127: yes mines are blank
@Nat Bat: yep same and literally wondered same exact thing. Let’s keep each other updated who are in the same position.
@Gwen: I uploaded my 1095A a week ago and i’m Still showing original message. No updates on WMR or IRS portal everything is blank.
@SingeMommaof3Boysga: (No advance)
I filed 2/10. Accepted 2/13. Path. EITC. ACTC.
No update on WMR, until this morning!
Refund approved DDD of March 5th.
I have already gotten my state refund. (Which I have never got before federal refund. Weird)
I bank with Chime.
Filed with TT. (Have used them 17 years.)
Paid fees with refund . No advantage. No 5 day early.
No deposit yet.
Hope this helps someone.
Has anyone seen their transcripts blĂ nk
@Shanae59: most 05 are weekly some may be daily. I’m an 05 this year so I update weekly. On IRS website I update Friday morning and WMR is Saturday morning
@EagerlywaitingNC: they mail checks on Thursday and you should have by Tuesday. However everything is off this year with sending refunds.
Well it looks like a lot of us updated on WMR where we had topic 152 now we have “we have your tax return and it is being processed” I wonder if it’s really movement or just a generic batch change since it’s now March they want to remove topic 152 and everyone goes to that message if they haven’t received their refund yet. I still have no changes in my transcripts, still stuck with 570 dated 2/24 and no other codes. As of is still 3/10 had topic 152 yesterday and changed this morning
@EagerlywaitingNC: did you have to ID verify? If so they usually change you to a check refund sometimes
Does anyone know why they would change you from direct deposit to check being mailed and has anyone actually gotten their check yet if so how long did it take from mail date
Filed 02/24.Check wmr went from bring processed with tax topic 152 now showing being still processed no tax topic and blank transcript only as of 03-17
Good morning! Just checked nj refund website, and for the first time that I can remember, I went from processing to checking for accuracy. Is this a good or bad thing?? Normally I go straight from processing to approved. Last year I received my refund on 3/6
I needed to send in 8962 and 1095 i didn’t know I had marketplace place insurance someone signed me up without my knowledge. Anyway Fax in papers 2/17 how long does it take to process? Called was told 60 days by one rep and 6 to 8 by another. One says she didn’t see any documentation either uploaded. Any ideas on what to do?
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