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.
Back again. Filed 18th early morning accepted 18th late at night … I think I might be towing the line here though because it was late on the 18th. I’m a weekly. Always have been. Usually somewhat late at night I see my IRS account change a little then I update to 846 at about 130 am or so Mountain Time. Cheers and good luck to everyone waiting.
@Walter DOG: If I was in your position, I wouldn’t remove her when I amended. I would report the income she made, otherwise she’ll have to file a return and claim the income herself. You said it made no difference so if that’s the case, then that’s what I would do.
Can someone tell me what nights WMR updates? Thank you.
@Morris: thank you for responding!
As soon as I say something I get approved. Go figure, at least now I can see my transcripts yay!
@MikejIowa: CTC is not a PATH credit only EITC and ACTC so you should process normally, no Feb 15 hold
@Dianna6636: Hello Dianna, It only took about 15 mins for me. I went online on my laptop followed the steps from my laptop to my phone an agent had me to hold up my SS card and License then she said I was approved.
I have my precious new alarm clock to wake me up for the watch party, but who am I kidding……I’m not going to sleep. Lol.
@Sheila_33: even though with her not on my return nothing changes ,can I amend and just remove her from my return and you think her being on my return this year will mess my return up I wish I kept her off she being on their didn’t change anything at all
@StephenfromrosewoodNC: We don’t know an exact time but in the last 2 years they started updating around midnight eastern time.
@Walter DOG: Then I would amend after you receive the refund and report that income.
@Sheila_33: my other return was rejected I’m just was worried about having my oldest on as dependent like I do every year but this year she worked and made over 4700 and I didn’t know she made over that but if I would of kept her off my return doesn’t change with her on or off what you think
If I have ctc filed Jan 17 approved Jan 19 is it possible I was accepted in test batch will i receive dd early or no because of ctc or will I be sent back in sequence?
Thanks
What time tonight will transcripts start updating.
@Walter DOG: If the other return got rejected, I think you may be ok. We shall see soon enough if you update tomorrow.