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.
What’s the number you can call to check transcripts over the phone
@DebMom: hell it’s one of them😉. Either way…it’s sad. But there’s a huge difference in amounts, if you say 3 are under 17…vs 2 under and 1 is 17-24!
@Junewes0107: I’ve seen them update as early as 1 am eastern time. Sneaky they are. 🤣
@MSRazorbackPhD: thought you could still get EITC just not ACTC for 17
@Junewes0107: throughout the day tomorrow right
@Lioness: lucky dog you are a daily I’ve been a weekly for years so hopefully my transcript updates tomorrow
@Junewes0107: when did you file?
@Mike: we should see something on war Saturday
@Mamatrilogy3: Are you still waiting too?? Ours has not moved out of “Pending” on Turbo Tax and still no information on the IRS website. If it is rejected—just reject it so we can fix it. It literally looks like it is stuck in Turbo Tax land…urgh!
@Sandy: can’t wait to see if it deposits on that time frame lol
Hi, I have a question for someone who knows the answer not an opinion. I have a W2 that I needed to fight to get because the company went out of business in the summer of last year and thought they could just get away with not sending out a W2. That said, I am concerned they may not have paid the taxes withheld from my paycheck to the government. I know I have the right to file my return and claim those credits, but I have not been able to get a clear answer as to whether or not the IRS will hold my return and not pay it if my former employer did not pay them. Thanks