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.
@Brianne: Calling now and I’ll report back
Just filed today, and irs accepted 5 minutes later. Now the waiting begans.
@Brianne: she told me today too, although on the site it CLEARLY says yesterday.
@MSRazorbackPhD: 800-446-8848 just keep asking for representative when automated system ask what you are calling for. it will eventually connect you
Looks like transcripts are updating for some! Right on schedule.
@Brianne: What number did you use? I just put up my grocery delivery…so I’ll call.
@Kisharai @ MSRazorbackPhD: have either of you called TT to see if they say when yours was sent to irs? im curious to see if they would tall yall the same thing the lady told me, which she said mine was sent today & not yesterday. i want to call them again just to see if i get a different answer
@Sheila_33: You got that right. I will let you know when I get that 846 and DDD.
@Maisha: A few dailies with no path credits are seeing deposit dates on their transcripts for Friday.
@MelloDello53: Dailies can process anyday so it’s not too weird. :)
@Sharon. O: Yes. It’s my daughters return. :)
@Please help: Saturday
@MSRazorbackPhD: when is your birthday,
@Brianne: Oh yeah! But I got my refund much later than normal. This was before the PATH law!
I normally get excited for my bday, knowing IRS has our returns, but not this year!
@MSRazorbackPhD: oh ok, I was accepted same day them this year, which was yesterday. I pray you get movement soon!
@Sheila_33: I just checked my transcripts mine are still n/a and my wage transcript is pretty much blank
@MSRazorbackPhD: agreed. Too bad we don’t have an ” I got my refund” discord channel. It’s even more frustrating that TT has no answers. I’ve been pestering them all day…