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.
@DrBlute: thank you
Good morning ☀️ from the sunshine state… ok guys and girls start your engines another tax season is here!!!! May the odds forever be in your favor
@beebee 43: I live in MA and I have to wait until the 19th to file state it’s because the forms aren’t ready yet it should give you a date when they will be
@Looking for answers.: He would have to amend his return as well, removing them and paying what would then be owed for the loss of what he did get AND you amend to add them.
@Ghee: Some people are going to have refunds in January.
@ConfusedInOhio: Mid February.
Greetings everyone. I have 2 questions. Is there a 3 max limit on claiming dependents for eic? Does additional child tax credit apply for more than 3 this year.
Hi everyone quick question. Why turbo tax want let me file my sc state taxes. It says file later or mail. I’m confused. Can anyone help me with this. Thank you
Hello everyone
Hello, everyone! Checking in for another tax season.
@BG: Have you received any correspondence from them at all? Could be an identity issue or possibly a return that’s unpostable.
@Looking for answers?: yes as long as he didn’t receive any credit for them.
@Sheila_33: thank you I will amend my return and add the additional 3 children.
haven’t received refund since it was accepted 10 months ago. Anyone having this problem?
@Somebody stole my Identity: u will need to file identify theft and they will issue a pin every year I believe
Happy Taxmas everybody!! Learned my lessons from the last few years and waiting on ALL my W2’s before I file. :)
Hi I was on unemployment last year and I didn’t file my taxes( because I knew I would owe and didn’t have the money to pay) I was going file it this year how ever someone stole my identity and tried to file taxes last year in my name!.. what do I need to do now to clear this up so I can file my taxes this year??
Anyway me know what the earliest pathers could see a deposit this year
@Sheila_33: When are we expecting test batches?
@Looking for answers: Yes, it definitely sounds like it. When you go under audit, and they can’t verify the dependents or income, then they close the case. If that’s what happened, then you can amend your return and claim the dependents and credits. It’s strange that they wouldn’t release the balance of the child tax credits, since he received the monthly payments earlier and the income wouldn’t have affected the credits being refunded. People with little to no income were encouraged to file just to receive those.
@Sheila_33: he did not get any refund. Which to me means that there is still money left on the table that can benefit our children. I will have to check to see if he received that cp letter.
@Ck1: You might try calling the tax advocate services. They are an entity that works within the IRS to help people with a hardship and other issues with their return.
https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us/
Jan. 23rd IRS opening date. @Jemar nailed it.
Good luck everyone! Hoping for a good tax season. :)