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.
@Tk1:
No you do not have to verify again because essentially it’s the same letter
@Ree: Are you a weekly also. I seem to have to verify every year. I got my letter and verified on 3/1. Transcripts still blank no return received. The only think that moves is the date keeps pushing out. This happens to me every year so I wouldn’t be worried
@TK1: what’s wrong
How far January 21 I was accepted the next day or so I received a letter on March 4 I verified online, but I didn’t see an update I ended up calling on the sixth and they said it did not go through so I verified over the phone which they said it didn’t submit until March 10 and I went from still being processed to received and being processed and I’m stuck there. My transcript still shows no tax return filed. I’ve called a couple times. They said to just keep waiting for nine weeks before I call back, but I’ll see others have verified and receive their the same week or the next week so at this point, I’m just in a loop hole waiting for them as always.
@Tk1: someone please help
2/2 Filer Updates –
My mom got hers ID verify letter on 3/10, verified online same day. Updated to 846 and had her deposit on Friday 3/21.
I received my ID verify letter today and verified online. I will update when I see movement.
@Butterfly01: when I went to the irs office they said they still didn’t send it. I just verified with them today and they put it back into processing. Hopefully this week or next week
I was waiting for a verify letter and it was ting forever so I requested a new one but I received the first one and verified it now today I received the second one. Do I have verify again ?
Has anyone received a letter in the mail from there TA with documents you have to Fax or upload? According to this letter, They will Contact me by May 9th. The letter also states As Soon as he receives my info he will start working on it.
@orianasenoj: Sometimes it and sometimes it want.. Mines would not show me anything I had to wait until i got the letter
@orianasenoj: congratulations it should only be about two weeks now more or less depending on the IRS
Just left the irs to verify my ID and I didn’t need the letter. They put me back into processing.
@DTM2025: I went they said I need my tax return form and two forms of ID to verify. Nothing about the letter I have to go back at 1pm est I’ll update then
2 letters in the mail (Informed delivery) from DEPT of treasury! “IRS” let’s see what it is! There are no new notices in my IRS account. It’s been one full month. There WILL BE AN UPDATE this week! Claiming for everyone
570/971 since 2/24
@orianasenoj: it too sure never been to the office. I ID verified years ago over the phone.. I had to wait for the letter. So definitely comeback and let us know!
Well I’m at the IRS office I’ll answer my own question and pass on the info. Thankfully it’s only two of us here
Oktap.tax.ok.gov says my refund has been processed and approved for a different amount please allow 10-14 business days for refund to be deposited into your bank account but wheres my refund and the irs phone number says still being processed has this happened to anyone else
Oktap.tax.ok.gov says my refund has been processed and approved for a different amount please allow 10-14 business days for refund to be deposited into your bank account but wheres my refund and the irs phone number says still being processed has this happened to anyone else
What time does irs update?
@Amber: how long did it take for your amended return to process
@DTM2025: thanks friend appreciate you I will call tomorrow! I’m waiting on 3 years!! It will definitely be a blessing. Putting good vibes out here for everyone.
@DTM2025: OK, good to know. There’s a hardship involved, so hopefully they can move a bit quicker in this case.
Any insight for my question?
@IAMHeiress: personally never had to experience escalation. I was resolved within 2/3 weeks after in the past. When I talked to her she set the follow up date for April 14th maybe this is when she thinks that’s when it will be resolved. Not sure.
@Amber You will most likely get a check.
@DTM2025: Good Day! That’s good news! How quickly can TAS get a release done and are they usually able to have a supervisor escalate the case with IRS?
I have a question do I have to wait for my ID letter to go to the irs office to verify?
I am getting so frustrated with this tax season. I filed 2/3/25 the normal 152 tax code, no id verify, no unusual tax codes, they tell me nothing is wrong.. but no updates no nothing..
TAS number 1-877-777-4778
@Madinjay: I called the TAS phone number on the IRS website and spoke to someone and was told I would get a TA in two weeks. The TA called me in 2 1/2 weeks from the request. I already faxed her all my info before she called so she was able to let me know she would request my 2024 to be released and the 2019 to be put on payment plan. (I owe). She was not rude at all to me. I have used TAS twice prior. Highly recommend
@Nimoslimmnotshady: I had one years ago! But times are so different now. They are holding my 2024 due to 2019 being file. Someone fraudulently claimed my kids. I submitted those returns via fax they have been acknowledged so now I wait.
Don’t get a TA there slow and will hold your refund longer if you piss them off I’m still waiting for 2023 and he called yesterday very rude and told me a lot of bs that didn’t make sense so maybe I’ll get movement nexts year idc no more I’ll work for mine
@Amber: sometimes if you have fees taken out of refund it can take an extra day or two…
How do I go about getting a Tax Advocate?
@Butterfly01: Nah. Don’t think they will send anything. Agents said there’s nothing more they need, it’s just processing now. There’s TC 150, 806, 810(identity verification freeze since 2/11), 766, 570, 768. They’ve verified everything already and there’s a TAS order for expedited release. My guess is they’ll release it soon.
@IAMHeiress: have you gotten any notes or anything about the 570 code ? Wonder how soon the TA can get the refund released
@Janise: are you sure that’s the code? 501AL
@Butterfly01: no I’m still completely blank
I have an amended return that has an 846 for 03/21/2025 transcripts updated from 3/31/25 to 04/07/25. haven’t received DD… whats up?
@Florida girl: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc201
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