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.
Still no movement with KY state. Decided that this was the last day that I will look at the WMR site for any updates :(
Seriously. I got an up to 60 day notice a couple of weeks ago. I have had no movement since. Just the 570 hold as of Day March 13. The notice says to check and see if I made any mistakes. So I checked my ssa earnings and I’m 1 dollar off. Seriously. They would hold ne up for 1 buck? Does that seem right? Anybody that can answer
@Wibbleywobbley: I’d filed/accepted same day as you, but I’m already done.
Had to fax in my 1095-a form does anyone know how long this will take for them to process?
@Guera: Just ignore please. Maintenance is being done on the site.
@Norainingonparades: same !!
@Walter DOG: No, haven’t yet. Looks like I’m gonna owe because of my dad’s estate. Not in a hurry to give them my money lol.
This is by far THE SMOOTHEST year I have ever experienced… so I filed MONDAY… FEB 27th and I checked my transcripts yesterday nothing, 🗣️ BUT TODAY 3/2 I got a 846 code for 3/7 weird ddd date on a Tuesday? butttttttt I will not complain idc what day of the week it is… I am so grateful and hoping EVERYONE gets their money soon!!!
@Sheila_33: thanks and I file single with no dependents since my daughter is now an adult so I never receive the path msg. I went from being accepted with 1 bar to a few days later still being processed with no bar for the last several weeks . And again after I’d verifying back to being processed this morning so I do hope to just update with everything tomorrow. Thanks again sheila
@Sheila_33: Good morning Sheila just getting on here seeing how your doing I put my refund up for rainy day haven’t touched a penny off it did your husband and you get his stuff and got yours filed yet I’m wondering if it’s better to wait on filing I just worry about identity theft
All the early filers with 570 that are weekly let’s cross our fingers we see some updates Friday! 😩 it has never taken this long for me to receive my refund. Never filing early again. Waiting until mid feb next year so I don’t drive myself nuts. This has been a month of disappointment!
@Fla_girl850: feel ya there Hun. My check from eps financial pathward Bank for JHEWITT was printed Friday and I’m still waiting for them to put it In the mail to me… seriously how long does it take to put in the mail to go out WTH…. I feel you the stressed out about it also…. I’m in Florida tooo
@Cantcatchabreak: You can definitely update in one cycle thru. Before path, a lot of people were getting populated transcripts with refund codes.
@Jas: you only filed 4 days ago. you have to give it some time. Also in regards to the 152,
“ When you see this tax topic, it doesn’t require any additional steps. It is a normal part of processing. It doesn’t mean there is an error on your return or that it is delayed. The topic doesn’t mean your return is finished processing. It simply means your return is being processed.”
@Bk123: not ne. Still delay message. I did get a up to 60 day delay letter. Asking for nothing.
@sheila_33 Hi Sheila I just ID verified last Thursday and my WMR msg went from still being processed to waking up to is being processed. However my transcripts still have all 0’s and no codes. Can your transcripts just update with everything all at once and give me a 846 code tomorrow. Or do I have to wait for the processing codes this week and then wait another week for the 846 code.
@804VA: Sounds like they’ve manually put you back in to process. So you may see some movement within the next week or two if everything goes smoothly and no other issues.