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.
@Deb: are there any other codes (like a 971 ) or anything? If not, all it means is it gives the system more time to process.
@Tyler White: THANK YOU!!
Hi, came back to see how everyone was and see if I could be helpful. While I received my 846 Feb 19th,(PATHER) I filed my son’s last Wednesday. Since he is a PATHER also, I never file his until it lifts. He got his 846 around 11 last night. He’s is an 05 weekly. I hope this gives hope to recent filers….6 business days is a pretty good turnaround..good luck all!!
Well no update for me today either. Still have 570, no notices in my account and as of is still 3/10. Absolutely no movement for the last 2 weeks.
@Hopeful: No for me transcripts updated this morning and my wmr fund will update tomorrow
I’m weekly, 05, account transcript shows an 810 refund freeze. The only update from last night is that my as of date changed from 3/10 to 3/24. Does this mean anything good, bad or otherwise?
Do transcripts and WMR update at the same time?
Are the weeklies done updating? 😭
@shelia what does this mean
Refund Status Results
Return Received
We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe. You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund. We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible.
Helpful Information
Please read the following information related to your tax situation:
Tax Topic 152, Refund Information
@Nat Bat: I was told they don’t no what’s the hold up and can’t provide any information just waif
Wrm message your tax return has delayed beyond the timeframe
Account transcript showed up last week but only said no return return filed and as of date of March 17 with no codes at all and didn’t update at all this morning. Just noticed this morning that there is a Verify ID letter in my notices so I requested that to be sent because I never received one…guess I just wait now…has this been happening to a lot of people this year? I’ve never had it
@Matt H: Congrats I just check mines it is 846 as well I’m so happy for us now I can stop worrying and congrats to everyone that received 846 this morning
2024. Refund as of changed to March 24 2025 overnight
2023 also changed to same date no codes on transcripts there pushing my refund back and not processing ether return
Blank transcripts as of date 2/17 verified in person on 3/5 and told I’d have my refund within 9 weeks as I successfully verified.
Hoping to see movement today maybe updates are still happening? If not hopefully next Friday
@Tyler white: Sounds like they’re looking at something and they’re manually going to have to resolve it.
@Tyler white: You rock! Thanks for the info.
@Andrea not signed in: Normally, an id verify won’t show a code but anything is possible. The 60 day review letter bothers me though and makes me think that’s what the 570 is for. If they can reconcile what they’re looking at internally, maybe that will resolve itself quickly.
Congratulations to everyone updating to a 846 this morning. Not as many as I hoped, but happy to see a few. :)
@Red: It seems to be taking a little longer later in the year for id verify to update. Hopefully, you’ll see some movement in the next 2 weeks.
Verified on the 1st
Transcripts still blank
As of date 3/17