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.
@TexasBorn254: yeah they closed a lot of accounts over bs and some for no reason provided.
I heard that some people have just opened new accounts. I’m not sure if that’s a possibility
@Sheila_33: Ok I see. I do not have any dependents, so no credits. Just straight W-2 and 1099 income.
@Favor2024: you CANNOT reopen a kredit karma checking/spending account once it has been closed so you won’t be able to get a advance at all this year sorry love. They closed mine for being 12 cent overdrawn smh
Early filers, check your status at your tax preparers app/site and see if it has a “submitted date”. TurboTax is showing people 1/22. Testing perhaps?
@Sheila_33: thank you
@Impatiently waiting: Brrrr. Hopefully, it’ll warm up soon for you. Path is still in effect and haven’t heard anything on early testing yet but hopefully sooner than later. Stay warm!
Also sorry if this is a stupid question but was not familiar with whole path law timeframe is path law still in effect this year?
Does anyone know when they first start accepting the test batches?
@Sheila_33: Hey thank u. Yes It’s like 8° here. I hate this weather. It’s so depressing. How have you been?
@TPerry: Depends on your filing status. If you have no path credits to hold ya, and you’re accepted into early batch testing and have no issues with your return, you could possibly see a refund date but not sure if you’d see a deposit. Would all depend on your bank.
@Hersh: Yes, I would create another account, diff email, and try. I have also seen ppl not given that option when state not available. I hope you get it!
I have a question. If you file early, is there a possibility that you get your refund earlier than the January 29th date?
@Jae: they did last year which is why so many returns got flagged so early with mismatched income figures. the one agent i spoke with last year said the mismatch returns amount tripled because the IRS requested all the info so quickly. they are doing it to deter fraud which is understandable. its easier for them to refuse to issue a refund until the figures match up instead of them approving a refund and then finding out months later that the figures dont match and then begins the collection notices to you. as Shelia said, be safer than sorry. the IRS already had my wife’s W2 info in their system when i filed last year in Feb which is why the system flagged our return that day for mismatched information.
We have a new tax preparer this year so, my husband started a lanscapping business in 2023 and due to how many supplies & gas he’s used, he was able to receive a fuel credit, which generated a refund. The refund is not much, around $1500, does this sound legit to ya’ll? I thought you coudn’t receive a refund for business taxes
@Sheila_33: haahhahah
@Hersh: @MSRazorbackPhD: are you stating that I should make a new credit karma and that will help me with an advance from tt although I have a account in good standing but denied my advance last year
@MSRazorbackPhD: can you be more clear
@GAPEACH30: It didn’t pop up on the how you’d like your refund? Sometimes it shows more options. In addition…in the past, some of us, found new acct with the same info…yielded different results.
@MSRazorbackPhD: Thanks for that info. I tried to submit my Ga refund but it says forms not available until 0/17 and 1/18 to efile . Also there was no option for the refund advance.
@GAPEACH30: Turbotax and there’s no credit check!
@Sheila_33: true for sure, thank you for the feeback and clarity
GREETINGS EVERYONE :). WHAT TAX SOFTWARE ALLOWS YOU TO RECEIVE TAX ADVANCE UPON IRS ACCEPTANCE? DOES IT GO BY CREDIT CHECK?
@Mike: Jemar has been in spring cleaning mode since Fall, and has been moving the proverbial “furniture” around. Busting bottom to make this the best year for IGMR ever. Though secretly I believe it’s a test to see if the mods are paying attention as a bonus. Lol. I failed, by the way.🤣
@Jae: Some employers get those w2s done quickly and they submit to the SSA, which is where the IRS pulls income info. It’s true that they sometimes don’t cross reference until later in the year but better to be safe then stuck in review limbo.