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.
Just got my acceptance. Filed Turbo Tax. I also had the Cash Advance through them so we’ll see what happens.
@MSRazorbackPhD: haha. We really couldn’t afford it without the advance so hopefully it comes through soon. If I’m forced to get a used one, I won’t buy a new one anytime soon. We need to update all our appliances. It’s so EXPENSIVE! I hope you get brand new everything!!!😊
@Randomguy: You’re the only one I’ve seen so far, but if Turbo is telling you to refile, my advice is to wait and see if Turbo is possibly glitching. Especially if you’re showing acceptance on Wmr.
I filed on 1/6 with TT and was just accepted. I’m on the path and got the RAL with TT
@KinFl: Oh that sucks, but I love new appliances. Trying to talk hubby into new oven and fridge. See how that goes🤭
The karma spend account for me was closed they say because I was negative $16 but I only use for taxes so not sure how that happened, is there any others that do online advance with filing?
Hey guys, I filed TurboTax yesterday evening and just got accepted. I didn’t expect that at all.
@@Jessie7: yay! I’m hoping I’m next
TurboTax just sent a notification saying I was accepted 2 minutes ago
@@Jessie7: awesome
@MSRazorbackPhD: hey!!! Oh it stopped the spin cycle. The motor is burned out. We always buy used, and I really want a new one. So we are splurging on a washer. When the dryer dies, we will get a new one of those too. But it works fine right now
@Interesting..: just got notification my advance was deposited!
@Jessie 7: I applied for the advance as well. I wonder if that’s the common factor
@KinFl: Dear child…what’s wrong w ur washer? We thought we needed a new one 2 weeks ago, but it required a $6 piece.
@Interesting..: I think it’s just tax season in general. I’m a nervous wreck until I see my DDD. Lol
I’m now accepted on WMR and pending on TT. The anxiety comes from not using them in so long and filling super early
@KinFl: same here, waiting for the advance. Although I will say I checked WMR a few hours ago and it wouldn’t take my info. Just checked again after reading this and now I have one bar. I just filed this morning. Fingers crossed the advances come through soon!
@Jessie 7: isn’t it weird? It’s like TT stopped acknowledging the IRS. Or the IRS went down and can’t transmit the acceptance. Of course the only reason why I care is because we need a new washing machine asap, so we got the advance and was hoping we would be accepted before the weekend. Lol, figures. Haha
@Sheila_33: I just checked and am in the same boat. One bar and pending with TT
@Randomguy: oh that’s odd. Did TT say you had an error?
Filed the 11th on TT, accepted 1 bar today on wmr, TT showing i need to refile…anybody else with this issue?