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.
I sent in my amendment almost 6 weeks ago. It still is not showing online. I called last week and systems were down for maintenence. Today all day when I check online it says there is a technical error.
@Chris: yes and was approved for an advance. Just have to wait for the irs to open up
Has anyone filed their taxes yet?
@Sheila_33: thank you!
@Sheila_33: thank you for the response, that is a solid point. I will look into an advocate and see what I can figure out.
Hey yal heyyy! Happy to be back for a I year! Never logged in migh try this year!
@Jmg516: If the unreported income occurred while you both were together and filing a joint return, then you may still be liable for the balance owed on the offset. The unreported income, if it had been entered, would have changed the amount of the refund you jointly received that year. Its possible you might slide thru and they won’t bother you with it but if not, you might consider an advocate later to see what options you may have.
@Jmg516: it shouldn’t affect you this year
I have a question about an offset, if anyone knows what might happen with this, please let me know. I have filed Married Filing Jointly for the last 8 years. An offset occurred and it was not able to be fully paid out of last years refund (which was a join return at that time). This year, I will not be filing married filing jointly because we are no longer together. The offset was due to an issue with HIS income, and it had nothing to do with me directly. It was unreported income from a few years ago that was forgotten about. Due to not filing jointly THIS time, will that debt stay attached to him, or will I have to worry about any of that being taken out of my own refund? I hope that I have given enough info for that to make sense, but if not, let me know!
@Chris: Admin is thinking possibly the 16th.
Hello everyone. Does anyone know when test batches might be this year?
@Sheila_33: Thanks. I have been watching weekly for any changes. The advocate has not been very helpful. Basically just she says, yes, the company made an error, we need to pay what is owed and it is wait and see about the interest. I knew this before getting the advocate! Thanks for all you do here, I appreciate you!