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.
@TTOhio: I had just replied lol no worries, thank you anyways !!
@TTOhio: Thanks for that info, yeah I’ll just be checking all day most likely anyways lol
@Britt / B: oops sorry disregard my reply. I thought you were talking about sbtpg. I have no experience with Republic. Sorry 😬
@Britt / B: from what I’ve seen over the years, normally a day before and usually starts in the middle of the afternoon\early afternoon ish and goes in a wave. I’m expecting mine tomorrow afternoon..my ddd is 02\23.
@Di: what’s ur question babe maybe I can help
@Thequeenofbee: If you are a true weekly then those updates only happen on Fridays for transcripts and Saturdays for WMR. Keep in mind cycle codes ending in 05 can also be daily accounts so if that is the only reason you think you may be weekly then it doesn’t hurt to check each day.
We have more on daily vs weekly here: https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
@Guera: right 😵💫 omgosh it’s been awful lol …
And thank you to those of you that just answered me ! Sucks I hate being a weekly lol . I’m hoping by the grace of god these people on the information line just see the same thing I see as far as the review until my transcripts update and Friday I update and the review is completed because one person told me my letter was just stating that my refund is being held and return being held for further examinations of credits claimed or something like that , and the next rep told me it just got flagged for a random review and it’s completely normal I just have to verify some information and both have me a pin and transferred me to the examinations dept ( now on my 7 th hold with them and for 57 mins now been doing this non stop since 11 am they literally do not answer their line it’s ridiculous to call for almost 8 hours and talk to no one ) and the last lady who was completely rude to me and just horrible told me I don’t even need to speak to the examinations dept and also told ne there’s no way I have my letter that it was just sent on the 17th haha I was like I told you the first person told me what it said . Man she wasn’t nice I just hung up lol so ya I’ve heard several different things in these last almost 8 hours of calling and yet still haven’t talked to who I needed too so I don’t know what the truth is or going on was hoping someone could relate after telling my story ( several times no sorry for those seeing it and not knowing lol ) but I guess I’m alone in this situation :( ! But thanks guys was hoping I still had the chance to update daily like last year but no luck on that I guess. Friday can come on my birthday is next wed or as hoping to atleast have a ddd by then I’ve never had anything like this happen ever
@SS: DDD of 2/23 ??
I just checked not too long ago and still unfunded @SS:
@Britt / B: I received mines, a little after 4 o’clock this afternoon
@FrazierGurl: who did you file with?
@Di: The feed can get A little crazy sometimes causing some questions to be missed; or perhaps those who are on may not know the answer and do t want to steer you in the wrong direction. Don’t be afraid to ask again if some time has passed or you see some new names popping up.
Seems as though Republic is holding until day before as well. My DDD is 2/23 and showing as unfunded still. I just wonder what time they usually release the funds, does anyone have insight on that ? Or is it just random times for everyone?
@Nique: My ddd was 2/23
@Kimikaze: Thanks 😊
Thanks for the help everyone,seems like a lot of knowledge on this here,I was starting to get worried they didn’t even have it yet,but I guess they do but just making a little interest off on top of the ridiculous fees they charge. Lol
@Guera: Thank you and thank you for all your assistance this year. I’ll still be hanging around to answer the questions I’m knowledgeable of.
@Alize: Mine doesnt show on wmr the date only transcripts> Should I be worried?
@FrazierGurl: Congrats! 🎉
@FrazierGurl: what was your ddd?
@FrazierGurl: congrats 🎉👏 hun happy for you sweetie
@FrazierGurl: when was your deposit date
@Andrea D: it showed up on both
I got my refund. It was deposited to my chime. Yayyyy😀
@Falishab7 me but I have a ddd of 2/22 for tmm and still nothing. Fees being taken and to be sent to emerald card!
@Thequeenofbee: I’m sorry hun u had bad day today feeling like a manic Monday🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎼🎼🎼ooooo…. 😆
@Thequeenofbee: if you are a weekly, your transcripts process once a week, only (on Friday). WMR reflects the update on Saturday
@Guera: lol try 11am to current back to back with irs and still can’t get someone on ( besides the dept u don’t need and can’t help you )
@Di: I didn’t see your question? I can try to help.
@Thequeenofbee: I am a weekly, and I only ever update on Fridays. You can update throughout the day Friday. Last Friday, I checked my transcript at 12AM, 3AM and 6AM with no update. When I checked again around 8:39AM my 846 was there. I’ve always been a weekly, filing for 16 years now, and never updated on any day other then Fridays for transcripts, and Saturdays for WMR.
As for the other question, I am not sure, I avoid calling the IRS at all costs.
I hope that you get some good news soon.
@Thequeenofbee: I feel you. I’m happy all are getting refunds I’ve asked questions not getting answers as well.