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.
*paid
Even though the ACH is showing for 1-31 in my bank the where’s my refund still has me at 1 bar. Filed through TurboTax and laud fees up front.
@Lisafrombuffalo: you just haven’t finished processing. Transcripts for us weeklies will update all the way through until tomorrow so there is still time. Mine was accepted on the 20th and mine are all still N/A
Frustrated because my return trans has been there since 1/24 and blank I’m usually a weekly and still no account trans saying NA what could be happening that they both aren’t available?!
Filed 1-23
Accepted 1-23
Just saw the ACH in my account scheduled for 1-31
Fastest tax return ever for me. No special credits and basic single filing
@Brittany Amador: ok thank you so much Brittany!
@VERYBERRYBLUBERRY: account usually updates sometime after return ones there really isn’t any set time between the two just whenever they finish processing
I had a question ….does anyone know when account transcripts update cause my Return transcripts update today some time.
@Celina93: look at lines 27 and 28 on your return if there are amounts there then you are on the path.
I have no path credits this year so hoping I get a ddd
How do I know if I got the earned income credit or the ctc credit? Trying to see if I will be a pather or not.
My return transcript is updated!
@Honeybee82: I’m not a pather was accepted on the 20th so was kinda hoping to make the first round of weeklies. Lol
@Honeybee82: Most definitely! I love to see it as well because my God, last year was a roller coaster ride😆
@FrazierGurl: I know, it’s crazy! I said that earlier….the IRS is a well oiled machine for the first time in years lol! I just filed and was accepted last night, so I probably won’t start seeing movement until next week. But I love that people are having such an awesome turnaround time this year! 😊
@Honeybee82: My transcripts are updating and I’m a pather as well. Do idk what’s going on this tax season. I’m definitely not gonna complain though.
@Brittany Amador: same here…I’m in the N/A boat. I’m a PATHer, so I know I still have another month…but it’s still exciting when you can see movement lol
Well there’s some type of movement, my Return Transcript is filled in.