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.
@Gwen: did you elect to have a paper check mailed to you? I’m only asking because I paid my TT fees upfront and elected for my refund to be direct deposited half to my traditional credit union, and half to my chime. Same as last year. I can’t check transcript but when I checked WMR today it says check will be mailed on the 24th. I’m confused!
@Akasha: Sometimes it just pops up when you least expect it! Even if it’s Tuesday , it’s coming !! Better than having an audit , Lol.
@Tigerlili_1: thank you so much
@Angell: yes, if you have 846 and DDD then you’re done processing and you will see it reflect on WMR tomorrow morning with orange bar.
So I guess good old Santa Barbara is gonna wait until Tuesday to process our returns.
@Tigerlili_1: Hey! Stupid question, will weeklies update on Tues next week do you think?
@Tigerlili_1: hun where would I find the tcn at Hun
@Tigerlili_1: Yeah it can. Was just very odd how it happened. Got my refund during Path message , Lol.
@Jennifer: Sounds like tou switched to daily. Which can happen at anytime.
@Heather8306: OMGoodness.
Let me find you a phone number, might take me a bit.
I have always been a weekly. Had my WMR change usually Saturday/Sunday morning to a ddd. This year it was different. WMR changed last night with a DDD of 2/22 however my refund was sent yesterday at 12:36 pm. So I think it’s a bit off this year.
@Tigerlili_1: I did she says she cant see either and that she can’t use the tcn on her end
@Sheila_33: hi Sheila Irs is mailing my refund to me. It says will be mailed by Feb 24th. Do you know how long it takes to actually get the check? An could it have possibly been mailed today? Thank you for your help
@Tigerlili_1: Yes I know. I may have said it wrong , Lol.
@Jennifer: Weeklies updated on transcripts today and WMR overnight/tomorrow.
@Angell: You will update with a DDD Saturday night/early Sunday morning with a DDD of 2/23.
@Heather8306: Call Chime ask them to look for pending and rejected items and let them know you have the TCN.
@proudma30: Yes. It’s normally imported from the prior year if that’s the same Tax place you used. H&R Block imports last year’s info but if it’s a couple years you have to buy them.
@InDiana Girl: im confused so if we got the 846 ddd 2/23 does that mean im done processing??
Hey yall! Im excited to get rid of that darn path message on wmr tomorrow and get my 3 bars!Any weekly pathers that updated friday and use wellsfargo get an early deposit yet? not me, not surprised tho,figure tues at best.almost yahtzee!
So are the transcripts done for today?
@Heather8306: so not processing anymore and where do you find that at hun???????
@Stephaniegirl:
If you are done processing yes, WMR will update overnight into tomorrow morning. The path message will be gone and the DDD will be there with orange bars.
I saw someone ask, “how will we know our DDD if we can’t see our transcripts”? You will get the orange bar woth your DDD also once you’re processing. So for example, if your transcripts updated today with the 846 then you will see the orange bar tomorrow. If not done processing then you will have to wait until next weeks updates.
@Tigerlili_1: I have a trace number from eps where they sent it to my chime card
@Michael: I don’t think they did. I believe weeklies update tomorrow night. I could be wrong.
Exactly. All to do with virtual numbers for gmail verification isn’t it?
The future will prove who was right and who was in error!
Receive Sms Online for phone number verification – PVAPins
Donated !! This place has always brought me piece of mind and I have learned so much about taxes in general here. Thank you all so much !!