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.
Okay – I have one bar. When should this PATH message pop up?
I have EITC and CTC. I”m assuming EITC is Earned Income Credit.
@Sheila_33: thank you 😊
@Not logg6d in: was it your first time filing with HRB? appreciate the reply!
@ConfusedMomx4: I tried h&r and I’ve never had any issues with my return, and my return is a nice size,but they only approved me for 750, so I’m thinking they go off credit as well. Wasn’t worth it in my opinion, I normally free file online.
@Not logged: https://igotmyrefund.com/tax-topic-152/
@Patientlywaiting1987: Transcripts update depending on whether you are a weekly or a daily. Dailies can process any day and update on transcripts the next day. Weeklies, on the other hand, can only process once a week and update on transcripts on Friday.
These links can help explain it better:
https://igotmyrefund.com/transcripts
https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
@Not logged: no it means you chose direct deposit
Is tax topic 152, the path act message?
@Vicandy321: would be on your return pages. CTC isn’t under PATH
https://igotmyrefund.com/registration-for-igmr/
A great way to keep track of your filing details for next year and you get your own unique user name!
@firstinline: wait you got accepted on 1/23 and got your refund already or an advance?
@Sandy: hmm did you get either EITC or ACTC
My daughter just filed with taxact and was accepted in less than a minute, with eic & actc
@Stacy72: I was wondering what this mean, do you Know? please help!
@ConfusedMomx4: nobody can really agree on what the qualifying factors for the TT advance is. I saw some ppl being approved for 1500-4000 and some ppl get approved then denied…some ppl who have been filing with them for years with hefty refunds and still get denied. Ive saw bad credit get approved for the max and good credit get denied…I would love to know if it is a “luck of the draw” thing.
@MSRazorbackPhD: We never used TT before. One time back in 2015 we used HRB and were denied an advance, they told us next year we would qualify but we never went back. Now that I’m single and will definitely be on the PATH I’m hoping to get an advance this year just don’t want to risk paying extra for an easy return if I won’t qualify since I’m “new” if that makes sense.
Does anyone know if you can get a refund advance the first year you file with someone? TT, HRB, JH, – anywhere!?!?
@firstinline: has to be because i owe in this year and i made the payment when i filed and sure enuff they got a hold on the monies….
Does everyone’s transcript update or do others like myself have to just keep waiting?