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.
@Allisxn: I feel the same way! I always file early, and I swear I run into snags every single year. I waited to file until the 25th this year, and my processing has gone more smoothly than it ever has before! I still have to wait for Path to lift, but I’m already all processed with good codes and the Path message. Finally….a stress-free year lol! 😆
@Sweetbigcheese: if you paid your fees upfront or filed free it’ll go directly to you. If you paid fees with your refund it’ll go through sbbtg
I have good codes on transcripts and with the code 150 it shows the computer increased my refund by 219.00 never had that happen before
Jus curious but does refund go straight to card or sbtpg cause I used turbo tax
@Youfavgirl: Ok thank you for response!
@2blessed: that I’m unsure of. I’m a newbie to this lol. I’ve been reading the comments and asking questions as well lol. Sheila knows a lot
@Youfavgirl: Oh ok lol! When do u think the daily and weekly would update?
@2blessed: I believe I’m a weekly lol
Can anyone answer this for me and husband both got the congregation email from Tt and it has only been 2 weeks since we filed
@Teleah4567: same. I logged into my IRS account and it say I need to verify my return. Suppose to have something in the mail with a code but of course I don’t.
@2020relief: right..the irs has had 6 plus months to prepare for that. But they wait until now to say “we don’t know so we recommend you don’t file yet”. So stupid on their part
@Teleah4567: Hopefully tomorrow you’ll see an update. :)
@Jersey girl: Hey girl. All is well considering I gotta deal with these 6 kiddos lol. I think dailys will see a refund date of the 22nd and the weeklys the 23rd. Holiday is gonna shift things over.
Filed 1/30. I’m a pather but no Path message & transcripts N/A. Makes me nervous
@Sheila_33: hope all is well. What are your thoughts of seeing deposits once path lifts
@Sarah24: mine
Heres a link explaing the differences between dailys and weeklys
https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
@airforcewifey26: The holiday on that Monday will shift ddds over a day for weekly
@MamaByrd: I was waiting for this discussion I saw this earlier so now 😳
@Kenwes: I filed on the 28th accepted the same day