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.
@Kiki8908: I’m the same as you filed 2/2 accepted same day I called 2 days to ask what’s going on they checked they said nothing everything looks fine no letters no codes just give a coupe more days
Still N/A smh. Filed and accepted 2/2 no codes or anything. No ID verify letter either.
@Shanshan: It already has
@570 Go Away: how long before ur na went away
Bout time got my 846 for the 8th but I have chime so I’ll see it today
What time do they start updating transcript?
@marlag3606: wow my wmr changed too tonight so they deff did some updating no change to transcript but my wmr changed to say that they have erecieved my refund and it is being reviewed and it’s this huge long thing that gives me tax topic 151 still and says to call if I have questions and what to have a copy of and on hand and gives me a code to give them so hey that makes me happy even tho I didn’t update on trans cuz I have a 420 code and still haven’t got my letter but a rep told me that it was just telling me that my refund was on hold while my return is being reviewed and when I called I finally got past just the information line and to the accounts dept and she told me I just needed to wait on the process and I don’t need to do anything so this is progress atleast so maybe now
I can get somewhere but sucks cuz if deff wont be till atleast next weekend at the very earliest but it’s better than no change at all ‘
So ya deff check your wmr you guys cuz mine changed tonight
JUST RECEIVED THE 846 CODE! I was giving myself so much anxiety and overthinking it…thinking I had a holdup and decided to check again right before i went to bed and behold, THERE IT WAS! THANK THE GOOD LORD :) There is hope guys, transcripts are updating!
Just checked WMR just to do it cause I know they don’t update until Sat morning but it just now says something different that I have never seen before:
We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe.
You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund.
We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible.
Checked my transcripts, and the top two showed with AGI amounts and all but the bottom Account transcript still shows no return filed and as of date of 3/13???
No transaction codes or anything showing…..hoping its just behind and continuing to update but that WMR has me worried…
@Norainingonparades: I was like that last year. Got my refund in like 7 days after filing. Quickest ever! Hoping for the same this year. Congratulations
What time should I check transcripts for changes?
@proudma30: I would check tomorrow , you might be weekly !
@V: No my transcripts still say N /a don’t know what’s going on like I said by now I usually at least have my amount on the side inwmr
@Matt H: It took two weeks after my 570 to get the 971. Plus the 971 had a date anther 2 weeks in the future so I decided to call
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): you mean someone used your social security for like a job ??
@proudma30: we got accepted the same day , I got a ddd for 3/07 ! Have you check your transcripts
@Brownie11: You’ll get the amount that was taken back.
@Sharon. O: I’m expecting a 971 as well. My transcript just stopped at 570
@Gemineye♢Beauty: me too. I checked my ssa earnings gs and my reported wages and they were a dollar off must be a typo. Hold me up for a buck. It’s crazy
What happens if the same offset is taken out of state and federal?
@Gemineye♢Beauty: I have 570 this year also. Had same situation 2 years ago. First time calling was told to wait like you. Decided to call again and was told I had to fax over my w2s to prove income and withholdings. They said a notice would be going out. The following Friday a 971 showed on my transcripts. Same thing happened both years. I would honestly watch your transcripts but definitely call again. As you probably know some reps are a lot more helpful than others
@Gemini Beauty: I was told the same when I called. Smh I have 570 and 971. My wmr changed from the Path message to “we have received your return…etc” I’m hoping to see an update Friday
570 CODE-CALLED AND WAS TOLD WAIT AT LEAST 120 DAYS, NO MORE INFO AVAILABLE. UGH 😒 IM JUST UNDER REVIEW FOR NO REASON APPARENTLY
@Di: no letter for me or any kind of notification.
Finally eps financial pathward Bank for JHEWITT mailed my check to me today. Have a time stamp of 1035am that check was mailed out put in mailman hand now just for 🐌 mail to get it from Easton Pennsylvania to Jax Florida… come on 🐌
@jemar707: haha. Hope your day is going well. As far as the tax question goes, it’s ultimately a rabbit hole I don’t want to go down. I have paid for someone the last 3 years (this year included), and I am allowed to do so per other IRS rules regarding gifting, etc, but if I pushed it further as a deduction for myself, then it becomes taxable income to the individual I’m doing it for…yada yada yada…and that defeats the purpose of what I wanted to do…so…moot point at this point. LOL And all hail Turd Furgusen (SNL celebrity jeopardy for those who have no clue what I’m talking about).
Do transcripts update daily or weekly? I know I only just got accepted on 2/27 but normally by now I would at least have the bars with my amount on the side on wmr but I just still have the generic one and n/a on transcripts. I am a pather and I both moved this year and changed my dd account so now I’m worried.
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12): I mean…”technically” lol.
I just happened to stop by and see this while testing some things.
Carry on.