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.
@Mary j: I don’t know. Last year I used them, but I don’t recall checking it until the day before the DDD, and it showed funded then. As of now, mine still shows unfunded. DDD 2/23 here.
hello this is our reminder to boycott the F out of SBTPG next year. Set aside funds now to cover fees. I know I am! Now that my bank deposits early (something that started very recently), Im hip to SBTPG and their greedy bleeping ways!
The past 2 years, we used SBTPG…funded a day before DDD!
@YourNameHere_5th Year: I got the same. I owed the irs $1000 they always send a notice 971 and 826 to transfer credits but after they transfer their credits they release yours immediately. Looks like you’ll be getting yours on the 23rd. My transcript looks the exact same but I didn’t have an “examine return” or a “free” code but I also got the date of 2/23 (one day after my bday) and a second bar on wmr with a message that’s says YOUR RETURN HAS BEEN ADJUSTED BECAUSE OF AN OWED AMOUNT” with the new balance listed and second bar. My gf told me about this site back in like 2016, 2018 – i been coming here ever since. Great community. I remember a lot of trolls came here like a year or two ago lol but anyway hope all is well for ALL 😃
@JayLaw: and online unfunded , is this normal never used them before
@JayLaw: i call and they haven’t received my refund . My transcripts say 846 2/23.
I’m assuming TPG probably won’t have any action due to the federal holiday?
@Mary j: sbtpg
Holiday Schedule
TPG is closed during the following holidays/holiday weekends.
New Year’s Day- Jan. 1
Memorial Day- May 29
Juneteenth- Jun. 19
Independence Day- Jul. 4
Labor Day- Sep. 4
Veterans Day- Nov. 10
Thanksgiving- Nov. 23 & 24
Christmas- Dec. 25
Fro. The sbtpg site so anyone thing that they are open today?
When will sbtcp show funded?
@Batman1989jan: yea I used tt to and I deff entered everything right 1 w2 and three grandchildren who live with me. But they didn’t last year but I deff know all info is correct . I am a weekly so I will check transcripts again on Friday. I hope the system fixes itself I really need my money and so confused what is going on. And on wmr I have tax topic 152
@basketcasemomma: why would it change.
It’s Presidents’ Day … government holiday banks are closed today so I highly doubt there will be any deposits … transfers processing today . It’s a few ACH pending in my account going toward bills they won’t clear until tomorrow due to the holiday
Do they up date today
@Allisxn: same her i call and call offset hotline and its shows i have no debt or offset wirh my ssi . I had an offset last week when i called but was paid through my state refund and got the remaining to bank Friday through controllers. It does show up on sbtpg my state. I did have them take my fees out of federal refund, never again
@Batman1989jan: the x simply means you qualify because you have “at least” that “one” child which strings along any other qualifying child….doesn’t mean the other one’s don’t qualify though. the only way the other (s) don’t/won’t qualify if if the irs disqualifies the them. The tool won’t let you put the x next to more than 1 child.
@YourNameHere_5th Year: The 810 is a freeze of the withholding paid in. The 811 is a release of that amount and that is your 846 amount. They froze the amounts from the credits, the 766 and/or 768 with the 420 audit code. You’ll receive the withholding amount on the date of the 846 but the balance of the refund won’t be released until after the audit is lifted.
I had direct deposit for the February eighth and I got it on the 8th
@Monica M Rivera: lol It’s not the 22nd yet that’s what they gonna tell you
@Monica M Rivera:
@Monica M Rivera: same here. 🤦🏾♂️
@Wrierblock20: 1-866-581-1040…. I’ve been waiting as well to see my refund hit at republic bank…. Have ddd of February 22nd.. and it’s still not showing there yet
Is there a phone system that will let me check if my refund was sent to bank already?
@Lindannc: I check my emerald card it said deposit on Feb 23
@Heather8306: You’ll note the website and phone line, do not coincide. It probably also tells you it recieved your refund prior to IRS releasing it. I’phone-in. Go out on a limb, and say the website, is far more accurate than the phoneline.
@Wastategirl444: The way around that is to pay your fees when you file, instead of from your return.
By law, they’re under no obligation to send it until your DDD, unfortunately.
@Santa: I was on path and used hrb and got my refund friday the 17th.
@Guera: so does your card show your funds pending ? My chime doesnt and the eps phone line says my funds were sent Wednesday
@Wastategirl444: I got my refund from hr block holding it to 23 I no they won’t give it to us till then they will hold out to the 23
@Kmh1090: State taxes come separately from Federal. State taxes are issued by state comptroller not the IRS. It would not come from SB but instead your states treasury office directly to your bank account or via check (whichever you choose). That’s how it’s been all my adult years anyway.
For some reason, I still did not update my WMR or my transcripts last night. Should I start worrying? I’ll keep it as brief as possible. I have a simple tax return, single with one W2. No ctc/eitc:
– Applied for Federal and State Returns 01/30
– Accepted 01/31
– WMR up to 1 bar one 02/02
– Bars disappear 02/14
– Transcripts Blank (NA on this years return and income)
– As Of Date: 02/20 (?)
– State Return Accepted 02/08, COWMR 3 bars
– State Return Approved 02/16, COWMR 4 bars (full)
– State Return Check mailed out, ETA Wednesday
I’m never using JH online again! So annoying they are just holding my money ! They have had it since Friday early afternoon.
@Kmh1090: I believe it does. If you look on sbtg website you should see the state info as well. I see mines on there and they also took my fees out of my state refund. Depending on your bank choice really depends on whether you get your refund earlier or not
Question about Santa Barbra bank. Dose state refund also go threw them? Or are they directly deposited to your account. I got the advance threw TT and had fees taken out of refund. Got my state refund a day early so just looking for some hope I don’t have to wait until Thursday lol.
@Batman1989jan: nothing anywhere indicating why I’m delayed this year 3/4 of my kids are on there own now. First year I have no college expenses for my kids since 2007
@basketcasemomma: half my family been in the service a lot of yrs enjoy your trip you deserve it kid
God evening and good night everyone. Hopefully everyone had a great weekend.