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.
filed and accepted 3-3 still no movement on 1 bar transcripts no update cycle code 05
@Nickp1: unfortunately what applied before doesn’t now due to the new administration. I pray things move soon for you.
I don’t know what is happening with my return. I filed Jan. 28th, this year due to unemployment, I qualified for EIC, I assume that got me flagged. Anyhow, there has been no update to my transcripts since the path act lifted. I still see the same 570 code, and my as of date is still March 17th. I thought with today being the 17th, I would have seen some movement or an update to the as of date, but nothing. I called and they said there is nothing they need from me. It is frustrating.
How long after you verify online does your return start to move?
@Bri: 971 they are holding did you miss a year?
@DTM2025: That’s great! For 2022 it updated to 599 return secured now I’m just waiting for 2019 to do the same! Then hopefully they will release 2024. But I’m glad they could be faxed instead of mailing! Sending you all the best keep watching those transcripts
@Butterfly01: I am also but I’m also hoping being a weekly might change
@SStewart: hopefully your transcript will update within the next 2 weeks. Did you verify online or over the phone?
@mickey m: I hope so.. I’m weekly
My federal tax was accepted on 02/08 but my transcripts haven’t been update thou I got a letter to verify myself and tax and I did verified that on 03/12 but my transcripts is still blank
@Butterfly01: you don’t have to call them to verify I called a TA to.see what was going on she said she didn’t see where I had verified in the system and to call . As long as you got that successfully verified message at the end of the online you should be fine. It just has to go back into the system that’s what we are waiting on. Hopefully the transcripts will change Wednesday or Friday morning
@mickey m: So you have to call them too… I verified online answered some Questions. I hope I’m not missing anything.
@Butterfly01: Not a clue I verified the same date online. I called Friday to see what was going on was told by TA it didn’t show in the system and to call and verify, I called 3/14 finished all questions and the rep told me my return was released to go back into the system 03/13 and that I should see an update in 2 weeks and should have my refund by 04/10 if everything is ok.
Does anyone know how long does it take to get your refund after you ID verify filled EIC. i verified on 3/7. Still blank transcripts and no update on WMR
@Frost87: I completely understand that, it’s not uncommon for them to change folks who have to verify to check. One year they did it to almost everybody
@Annaka” I don’t think “still” being processed is bad. In most cases, it’s just a reflection of how long you’ve been in the system trying to finish up. For others, if you have a hold code, it is letting you know it may take longer to resolve.
Good morning everyone. Stepped out to help move my granddaughter last week but I saw a few had some movement on transcripts. Congratulations to those who saw refund dates! Hoping to see some 570s and blank transcripts resolve this week to refunds. Good luck!
Hello, I just wanted to say, in case this applies to anyone, that my sister had the message saying her return was delayed beyond the normal time, this was what it said Thursday. Then Saturday WMR showed her date for the 19th. In case anyone has that message, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad. I have a question also. Does anyone know if it means anything for your WMR to change from “your return is being processed” with tax topic 152, then it changed to ” your return is”still” being processed” and the tt 152 is gone. Does that mean anything? They already got their state 2 weeks ago. Thanks.
@Madinjay: I am in the same boat for 2019. 971/570 dated 2/24. Faxed every thing in 2/24. I was told that it was processed March 11. I recvd a new letter dated March 12 for confirmation of my documents. Hope to update this week!
@Bri: I’m on a 971 2/24/2025 they are holding due to my 2019 being rejected & 2022 someone claimed my kids (fraud)! I faxed both to them to be filed 1 on 3/4 then the other 3/14 I’m praying it updates soon 🙏🏽 sending you good vibes
@JessTheCat: When did you file?
I have your tax return has been delayed. No notices nothing in the mail?
@Trent: they update based on your cycle # if your an 05 which is usually weekly you update on Friday WMR updates any changes on Saturday
When do the transcript up date?
@Ambo: same here as of changed over night to 03/31 and went from message refund has been delayed beyond time frame to refund date will be provided when available hopefully tomorrow or nexts week we will see movement hang in there everyone
@Butterfly01: no I don’t have any dependents.
filed and accepted 3\4 , Eic, no fees, transcript updated yesterday around 2 am and deposit credited around 7 pm to Walmart money card…Good luck to all those waiting, I id verify every year for past 6 years and it always seems to speed things up. as of date dd was 3\19 but reciever 3/14 @7pm
Transcripts updated with 846 DDD 3/20!
@Tyler White: we’ll see… my verification went through with the dd info so there’s no reason for them to change it.
@Ambo: This is so aggravating I verified on 3/7 transcripts still blank and saying return not processed
This is my 4th consecutive year on ID verify..
I’m losing my mind atp
What does as of 3/17 mean should I see a 846 before that date ?
I have received my 2024 refund but have not gotten my 2023 refund- “where’s my refund” still telling me processing, transcripts marks “as of march 17”
The negative amount is still the dollar amount excepting back
There are 0$ next to every other line
Can I expect my 2023 refund on march 17? I am getting no answers from TAS and I’m feeling totally scammed
I’ve been waiting on my return since January. I have 570 code followed by 971 i called and there’s no exact reason. Nobody is saying anything on why my taxes are being held. They keep transferring me to everybody and it’s getting frustrated. I’m way past my 21 days. I feel as though mine os being overlooked or something.
@derek5248: do you have any dependents on your return.. I verified on 3/7 transcripts still blank saying return not processed