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.
@Guera: I no I got to pay taxes I feel good I can retieer at 58 I work hard the last 25 yrs for it
@Guera: I’m up too lol
@….: There’s no need for name calling. Yes, some get annoyed at people asking the same question over and over, but shoot- I am the kind of person that if I want to ask a million times, I will. To me, this is a safe place. Somewhere we can vent and be frustrated together.
Hating insomnia rn… 😆… gonna try fall asleep my oceans on Pandora finally making me 🥱😴… 😆
@Santa: what do you mean?
@Santa: my folks are retired both of them and they still file taxes Hun ssi retirement and pay taxes and het refund fed b taxes every year sweetie
@justwonderingthankyou: its pathward bank site to verify you’re money if you only pd fees from refund nit advance on taxes. JHewitt uses them
@Andrea not logged in: I did the SAME exact thing. Normally file with 16th or a few days later. I filed the 14th this year simply because Robinhood released my forms for my brokerage account early. I have N/A for top 2 transcripts and bottom 2 are blank… stating on return on file. I’m pis sed off at myself. I should have waited.
@Guera: I no got to pay taxes for the rest of my life lol
@If only…: Year before last…YEP
@Guera: before I saw the state. I said to your statement, she must be from Florida.
Ddd for 2/23. Hoping 7am 2/22 it will be in bank.
@Guera: night
Good night y’all. Hopefully see y’all in the am.
@justwonderingthankyou: Im guessing its the irs auto corrected based on the context I’ve seen it in
@Guera: What is EPS? I havent seen that abbreviation until now
@Chasingcarson_: I appreciate that
I got snippy with dude earlier because I’m stressed. Half of the reason I’m here every year is to scream into the void 😅
@Heather8306: Will you keep me updated? I have chime too. Do you check SBBT, too? Let me know if it updates for you.
@Heather8306: hopefully Hun checked eps site says same stuff from Sat so its no update at all since Friday evening hun. I have 🐦
@Guera: me and you are both thru eps my ddd is 2/22 I have chime hopefully it hits early today
@basketcasemomma: She was talking to me when it happened, and posted it and I couldn’t stop laughing
@If only…: I have some pretty funny memories, too. I am one of those people you can’t put on speaker phone LOL.
@basketcasemomma: It was very memorable
@If only…: that’s funny lol.
@PrettyMocha1: I also have chime. Tigerlily, who is very knowledgeable with ddd dates and such- said those with 2/23 will have SBBT update on 2/22. We have chime, so it may deposit early on 2/22. If not, it’ll be 2/23
@basketcasemomma: mine is the same date but I have chime
@Guera: I am just emailed you! :) Keep in touch! I could use another friend.
I got code 151, under review. Will this just work itself out? Whatever is wrong, will they correct or what should I expect? Anyone know? Please help!
@PrettyMocha1: Whats your DDD? I have a DDD of 2/23, but won’t update with SBBT until the 22nd.
Any chime cards hit yet???