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.
@Tigerlili_1: Congrats!!! I have five of them but if I was still able I would had 20. Nothing like the smell of a baby.
@DrBlute: Taxact let me file but it hasn’t been accepted yet.
@Emily: Right!?
We’re all good. Have a new baby, because a bakers dozen seemed like the thing to do! Lol
@Tigerlili_1: How are you doing and your kiddos. I know it is just opening day but they can not having people stressing.
@Dewy: I’m in MA also were you able to file ? I have to wait until the 26th lol
@Stephbby: They might arrive blank.
@Nannyof3: It is still great that you got everything done that you could from your end so pat yourself on the back. :)
@Emily: That’s funny, JH sent an email saying ours was accepted, but it doesn’t show on WMR.
My taxes was held up last year until the end of April they never gave me a real reason why because the rep said an W2 that was not even on my return so I just hope I have no issues this year.
@Nannyof3: I believe you will have to wait til after the 15th if you are a pather..
@Cam1: hi test batch are those that filed and were accepted before irs offical opening day which was today
@Cam1: If you got your return accepted before the official start date which is today then you were in a test batch….
So I owe Federal this year because I have to pay back medical tax credit. I have to to auto withdrawl from my bank on April 18th… I do get a refund from MA state however. My Federal Taxes were accepted immediately but the state not accepted yet….
Not showing on TT but I just looked at WMR and I was accepted. Hopefully its smooth for everyone.
I am a pather so it will not matter that I was accepted in the test batch I will still have to wait. Correct?
How do you know if you’re from test batch? I’m seeing ppl saying test batch.
I’m doing our return through freetaxusa, just like last year, and its giving me an alert that says I have to mail in my return and forms. No explanation why. Any ideas? No changes from last year except I qualify for the AOTC this year.