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.
@basketcasemomma: The 3rd party banks are not something I’m very knowledgeable about. I’m more of a dissect a transcript kind of girl lol. Sorry hun. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. :)
@Sheila_33: Do you think I should see my deposit Tuesday if I got ddd 2/23 fees taken out with refund? Or will it be weds the 23rd?
@Patientlywaiting1987: Have you called? That date will pass in this next cycle and when those dates don’t adjust out, there may be an issue with the return.
@John: Normally it is unless a holiday shifts the day over.
@Tigerlili_1: Do you think it’ll deposit Tuesday even though I have a DDD of 2/23 and have fees taken out with refund?
@Me: Depending on what’s going on with the return, it could be a notice of adjustment.
Last year I had 971- 570-571- 846 so the 971 was a notice telling me about a correction made to my refund. I. My case it was lowered due to a missing 1099. My refund was less by $500 but it fixed it self didn’t have to call or nothing.
@kiko1461:also it said 3/6 and 0.00 beside it
@BeanieBob: It won’t deposit until Tuesday. No deposits on Saturday and Monday is a bank holiday.
@Jonnyboi5227: Offset code shows after when the funds are taken. When I had my offset, the offset code didn’t show when my 846 showed. It showed after they transferred the money owed.
@Jonnyboi5227: Yes, you will get your refund minus the offset amount.
Hey guys. Got the dreaded offset message on WMR. Thought i was fine when i seen the 846 code with my full refund amount shown this past friday. Does the offset code show up later on transcript? Has anyone actually seen this message on WMR and still got their refund?
Pather, fees taken out of return, HRB emerald card, dd date of 2/23 populated today but no dd yet. usually the deposit comes later in the day for me so fingers crossed. I’ll update when it comes thru for me
@kiko1461:yes it was on my transcript and I have no idea why
@Angeel: Several others have the same and had some or all taken for some type of offset. The WMR should have a message regarding an offset just as their’s did. They called the offset line and selected something about payments and it told them what portion was taken to repay the debt.
@kiko1461: did u code 971 on ur transcript
@kiko1461: I my case it was direct deposited like 8 days after completing verification by phone. Some have said it has taken longer but not always. Best of luck!
An anyone tell me what does 2 orange bars refund Approved for direct deposit but no date . I have 846 2/23 on transcripts.
I received a letter stating I have to verify my identity, do they take very long to process that information ??
@Santa: I’m thinking try clicking on a different filing status like head of household if you were doing single. Or vise versa.
@Santa: You said WMR wont let you in at all right? Like its saying the information is not valid or doesn’t match right? Or just a path message or something? What exactly does the screen actually say when you try to check WMR? Trying to think what i could come up with as you should be showing SOMETHING by now. Try clicking on whichever ever of those that you have not been clicking.
Why would I have a 971 code on my transcript someone said a 1099 but we deff don’t have a 1099. I’m so confused never happen to us before.
@Santa: On the filing status part are you clicking single or head of household on WMR?
@Ank: ❤️
@Tigerlili_1: No worries at all! Yes it gets confusing and a bit redundant but the question I keep seeing is regarding going through SB for fees and assuming that having an “early” card will somehow get a early deposit. That is NOT happening with Santa Barbara and has only happened with JH SERVE card that I have seen. Looks like all others with fees coming out will be day prior or day of though I wish everyone the best of luck. Some might take me as being negative but I’m just trying to be practical. Those with free filing and fees paid in advance can see deposits sooner but those with fees unfortunately won’t be before the 21st no matter how many times the question is rephrased. Enjoy your caffeine! ☕️
I don’t have shit on my taxes yet it’s been since Jan 25 when they got accept I check we’re my refund nothing same ole shit