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.
And I was told my return was already processed, just going thru the review process and waiting for funds to be released.
@meme I saw people comment previously that it did not take 60 days as they told them it wouldn’t so fingers crossed for you!!
I just called again and got the whole 120 day response lol. From what I’ve heard it doesn’t take this long but y’all idk what the hold up is. They trying to verify my income I’ve been with the same employer since 2015. I have no clue what the issue is. And I’ve been having that 971 on there for weeks without receiving a notice. I uploaded my w2 bc the First Lady I spoke to 3 weeks ago told me to upload it. Now I’m just waiting and not knowing is literally driving me crazy
@KeiaG34: okay, thank you!!
Correction, she said 120 days from date I received the letter. This still means June.
Spoken to representative, this is insane…….I’m looking at June date for a refund. She said 60 days from the date I received the 4464C letter. Anyone had the same situation as me? Please let me know, if you received your refund earlier that the 60 days. Can’t wrap my head around this tax season!
@Meme: I filed on 1/24 and it said as of 2/20 up until today and changed to as of 4/03. Processing date is 3/22
@Meme: my as of date was at 2/20 since i filed on 1/24 up until today and now it says as of 4/03. Processing days now says 3/22
@amyl: my refund always been fast and quick. This is a first for me.
@Meme: When you call the 1040 number you have to press 1 for English then when it gives you the next set of options press 2 then press 1 and then it says something about tax history you need to select that one it’ll be 3 and then it’ll say something about tax history again press 2.
(1,2,1,3,2) then you will get an actual person on the line.
@Meme: I got that letter and still nothing my as of date on transcript says 3/6 but the date buy all credits is 4/15 what does that mean
@KeiaG34, may I ask what was your processing date on your transcript? and your as of date?
@Just call me Caroline: My mom had the same issue going on and once your put back into processing it takes about two to three weeks to get your 846. If nothing after two weeks then can them again. Good luck
@Dallis:
same thing here….
weird w pugh i just got a check from IRS last week for extra unexpected refund of $799 from 2021!
yet this years return is standing still…. no delay message, no letters, no nothing
@meme
Trust me I been tripping since day 22 lol I’ve called several times and keep being told to wait. Wait for what! Lol I don’t understand what the issue is. This is beyond frustrating!
@KeiaG34, what phone number did you call, I just called the 800-829-1040 and only got the automated message. I want to speak to a rep. Thanks in advance
I have a question. I FINALLY received my 4883c LTR and verified on 3/14 was told to wait 9 weeks. how long will it take for WMR to update from the STILL PROCESSING msg? I file 1/28 accepted 1/31 got STILL PROCESSING msg a week later
HELP!!!!! Having to do refund trace
Deposit was sent to another account that isn’t mine
Waiting for letter but how long for the check ????
@Meme: I would definitely call. I did and got my refund two weeks later. Call them
UPDATE : I FILED AT THE END OF JANUARY AND HAVE HAD TAX TOPIC 1522 AND NO MOVEMENT WHATSOEVER UNTIL I CALLED TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND I NEEDED TO BE RESEQUENCED. TWO WEEKS LATER I GOT 846 REFUND ISSUED. IF YOU HAVE NO MOVEMENT THEN CALL ASAP. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE
@Mlronq, 50 days that’s insane, I’m 35 days and tripping!
@MOE, what code did you have before you received the letter? Was it the 60 day “just wait, do nothing” letter?
no update on transcript for me, everything looks the same……..im 03 cycle.
Today marks day 50 since I e-filed. Still have the 570/971 dated 3/6 and 3/13 and as of date changed to 3/27 last Friday.
Nothing changed on my transcripts today. So disappointed.
Been checking every hour got my letter right on the date they said cp 05 should I stop checking today for an update or does it update all day
@IMMAIWIN: If you don’t mind, do you have any updates on when you actually saw your funds? I just read your older post about your timeline from acceptance to verification process and getting your DD.
@MamaHen0717: I honestly feel like they say something different everyday because it’ll always been 21 days after acceptance. Turbo tax did say that there are millions of ppl in the same position with no answers, so if that helps. It isn’t an individual issue. Is a master issue. I believe is because this is the first year for the erc business credit and the system is overload. Hopefully there’s movement and processing today for the vast majority including all of us here.
@Kikibroke: we made it lol this has been one of the most stressful tax season for me. Im glad it’s over for us. Hopefully everyone else get some good news soon.
Do you get notified if you need to if verify?
@Dallis: I am praying it does. Our wages haven’t populated yet even though they’re loaded on my ssa. 34 days today since we e-filed (exiled as I have started calling it) our tax return When I call I can get no answers and no assistance from our accountant, the IRS nor the TA’s office. When I finally got in touch with a human I was told our 21 days began on our master file date not our filing and acceptance date…
My mental capacity on this is almost spent.
@CarolinaWoman88: yes finally! At 7 am my transcript updated finally instead of the dreaded NA. But my account transcript had not updated. I saw your comment and went and checked again and sure enough it was completed and ddd for 3/22. I filed on 2/2 and verified on the phone on 3/9
@CarolinaWoman88: yes! It’s gets more interesting as the years go by.
@Dallis: two*
Can someone please let me know if their transcript updated who filed between 2/17-2/20?
Mine no movements. Just two bottoms say 2022 no filing as of 3/20. Teo tops still N/A. Filled through tt fees paid up front.
Hello. Has anyone been assigned a 4 digit pin when you get a tax advocate? I’m asking because I have one and have not heard from the advocate yet but was given their contact information. Is that part of the process?
@TPerry: it really has been very weird this year. Thankfully we’re at the almost at finish line
Can someone plz tell me why my as date on transcript is 3/6 but all other numbers by credits are 4/15. I’m so confused files in Jan any info plz
I checked back just now too and I have an 846 for 3/22. Thinking I’ll get a check since I had to ID verify. I also used Free Tax and I heard they messed up filers account numbers as well.
@MOE: I’m on EST and I checked at 6 something this morning and saw the other 2 transcripts but they didn’t have any codes on them. Then I checked not too long ago and had a ddd, so it looks like it’s still updating. Hope that helps.
5:25 here no update