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.
@Patientlywaiting1987: when did you file
@Sheila_33: ohhhhhhh okkkk! Thanks Shelia. When do you think I will see a DDD. You are so knowledgeable and helpful. Greatly appreciated. I will donate as soon as I get my refund. Thank you
Still no updates or changes for me. 😞
@Sam A: You’re welcome. I almost used cashapp this year, but like usual, I just stuck with my regular bank; I’m a creature of habit. LOL
@Teleah4567: Good morning. My as of date changed from 2-13 to 2-20 and back to 2-13. All over night. Weird I think but not certain. All good codes
@Miami Kei: Yes, it’s the same circus trip every year. LOL. Either way, just waiting on that Path freeze to lift.
@Sheila_33: so u think I’ll see some more movement today or next Friday after the lift is lifted? I’m a PATHer like all of u guys??
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): thanks. I appreciate it and will un and reinstall the app. Ty.
Morning. Transcripts has a little more information on it. Codes
150
766
768
As of date went from 2/13 to 2/20
@Youfavgirl: Because the system is trying to place the refund code. It can’t because of the path hold so its snapping back.
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): hey there! Well that’s good news I think lol idk anymore. I’ll keep checking it but doubt it will finish today, I’m a PATHer. It’ll probably finish next Friday most likely. I filed and accepted on Feb 1st. I wish it was more good news but we all know how irs is, slow.. guess will be waiting another week.. thanks for the feedback hun
Hi can someone explain how offset works?
My transcript went Back to February 13. It just updated to 2-20. Why is it doing that. Still all good codes
@LouisianaLady:806 is your withholdings. Nothing to worry about. Sounds like you’re just waiting for the path to lift.
@Sam A: The only thing I saw online digging around was if the app was out-dated and needed to be updated. Some people reported having issues of not receiving DDs or stuck pending, and after uninstalling and reinstalling the app things worked. Otherwise, like Sheila said, there’s no known delays, and even the post I found was over a year old.
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): 2 years ago, mine didn’t finish updating until around 5pm, so it’s literally all day on Fridays.