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.
@Fluffykitty: they are ready got mine deposit date Feb 23
@Guera: thank you for your service God bless
@Santa: Hun still gotta do it after you retire hun sorry
@basketcasemomma: that’s awesome hun. Hope your mother gets better and its not something major. I dont know how you do it hun. Gotta say you are a very strong woman and awesome wife for all you do for your family Hun. Like I sd b4 thank you for your service cause without you and others like you our heroes would be lost without support from family like you
@Bren: That’s so awesome! We are adding on a mother in law’s suite for my mom this summer! Enjoy your family and good luck on the move! :)
@Guera: I am moving across the country! From West Virginia to Montana. My youngest son graduated from college in December. My oldest son and his wife just had a house built with an apartment above the garage for me! Look out grandbabies, here I come!
I’m glad I’ll be retiring soon this tax crapp has given me a head of grey hair lol
Is Cash App doing any posting deposits tonight?
This is what I found about deposits from federal reserve, even on the holiday…
The funds-transfer business day for each of the Federal Reserve Banks begins at 9:00 p.m. ET on the preceding calendar day (including if that preceding calendar day is a holiday observed by the Federal Reserve Banks) and ends at 7:00 p.m. ET.
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): and my bank**
@Guera: Hi :) Hope you’re doing well tonight! Seen you on here just wanted to say hi LOL. The next few days will be our turn lol
@Santa: I know they don’t give early but it tells you if they received your money
@WorriedfemaleOhio: That was so nice of you to say! Ps- hi :) Hope you are doing well!
@Tigerlili_1: All I know is what SBTPG my bank told me last year. They set up notification to my bank when they get the notification from IRS. My bank will see it “in the pipeline” on Tuesday, but they won’t credit my account until Thursday–the 23rd, which is the day the IRS established for DD and SBTPG doesn’t change the date. My bank goes by the date associated witht he deposit. Some banks, credit unions and cards do not and will honor it early. The key take-away is that SBTPG does not change the date in any way from what the IRS provides. It’s the end-destination making the choice of when to honor the money. I have a lame bank…LOL Hope you’re doing well.
@WorriedfemaleOhio: hey hun soo true hun.
@Tigerlili_1: awesome thanks hun for all your help
I’m a faithful viewer of this site for past 5 years and I want to say I know we are are dealing with crazy stressful situations with everyday life and I just wanted to say hi. And it’s nice to see great community I’m here if anyone wants to vent or talk about life an get mind odd taxes
@Fluffykitty: I have emerald card they said deposit Feb 23 I no I will not get it early
I’m putting all my tax to good use in my house all new carpet and putting some up for my inground pool this spring