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.
@trinibaby: The date moving out is always a positive. It’s possible since the wages updated that you’re just waiting to cycle thru again and finish up. Not sure about this week but hopefully the next.
Filed/accepted 1/31, received 12C letter 2/24, uploaded 1095A 2/24, now my status is this, fingers crossed things move along now
We have reviewed your return and any information we may have requested from you and are now processing your return. Any changes to the status of your refund, including any new refund date, will be reflected here when any new update is available.
Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
Tax Topic 152, Refund Information
@Dollbaby127: if you’re ever waiting on a letter go ahead and ask for another one to be sent. I’ve always either gotten the 1st letter last or not gotten it at all.
Hello Sheila, my accounts transcripts ” as of” date last Friday updated from 317/- 3/24. I did had to id verify on Monday but my wage transcript has to record of filing. What’s really weird about by wage transcripts is last week before the update on Friday it had my wages for 2024. Also, SSA already have my wages for 2024. Can you help me to understand what’s going on?
@Sheila_33: thank you very much. You have always been very helpful to many in here.🙏
@Ale: If they updated last night then you may see an update tomorrow on Wmr. It’s been wonky this year lol
@Blessed2bme89: oh I didn’t think about that. Thank you!
Anyone else using TurboTax get a email saying it would be deposited I got one saying to tomorrow but wmr hasn’t gave ddd just saying approved and if not in my account by the 11th to call
@KatG89: remember they work on West. Coast bank hours so at the earliest is 12
@KatG89: me neither I’m hoping it will be sometime soon
Anyone file with turbo tax using credit karma get deposit for today? SBTPG shows it’s funded but I haven’t received my deposit yet.
@Blessed2bme89: I see mine shows funded in SBTPG but no deposit in credit karma. Have you seen yours yet
@Sheila_33: hey Sheila, so yesterday my transcripts updated with a DDD of 3/10 when should WMR update well? Tia
@DTM2025: thanks again I was able to talk to someone
@Sheila_33: ok I’ll keep things updated thank you
Any deposit yet today? 😕 Had a deposit date for today and still nothing 😔😔😕
@Dollbaby127: You’ve been in the system long enough that you should have a letter by now. If there’s an office near you, you might want to go in and see what’s going on. Or, I’d definitely call again. :)
@Dariauskirk: Unfortunately, I have seen quite a few have to verify two or three years in a row.
@Kim: it’s better to verify online
Irs lady told me if the transcripts are blank that means they haven’t started touching my taxes and some sort of letter may be coming. Then said I have to verify
@Sheila_33: I am the same way so I called irs the lady told me my transcripts are blank because I have to idverify. I said when will I get the letter. I filed jan 28th and was accepted. She said just keep an eye out should be soon
@Sheila_33: I ID verified last year, would I have to do it 2 years in a row.
@Dariauskirk: Well, you haven’t cycled thru again yet this week so my best guess is the id verify but hopefully I’m wrong and you just haven’t processed yet and you’ll see an update by Friday.
@Sheila_33: the as of date is 03/17
Has anyone got their refund that had today has their deposit date?
@Dariauskirk: No transcripts makes me think id verify or lacking a form like a 1095a, etc. Check previous years transcripts and let me know what the “as of” date is. Possibly a 3/17 or 3/24?
@sheila_33 Taxes accepted Feb 11th but transcript still says no record of return on file? Any light to be shed on this?
@Ginger: If you can access your tax account, keep an eye on the notices. Might give you an idea what the hold up is.
Morning everyone!
Taxes accepted Feb 11th but transcript still says no record of return on file?
Sbtpg finally updated, just waiting on CK to post it.
@Florida Man: I file filed on the 27th accept the 28th I’m hoping we go through fast
@Ebony: I know right I wish I would have file early because I think I might not get mine till April and I’m checking here and Facebook seems like everyone got the taxes and left because now it quite
@wade123: wow! That’s odd… o called back twice. First time I hung up 2nd I have all info. That sucks. Try again tomorrow or call private. Idk if they are recording number in the automated.
@Shellysgirl1968: mines came around 4:30 p.m.