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.
@Mike: did you do early withdrawal?
@Waiting waiting: Yes! I contributed this year and was accepted last week.
@Mike: We love you too! I hope we are some solace during hard times. If you are looking for jokes and sarcasm to pass the time, look no further than for jemaar.
@Waiting waiting: I know nothing personally about IRA withdrawal. I haven’t seen anyone mention it. I hope somebody can chime in. If not tonight keep checking back and feel free to repost your question if it gets lost in the mix.
@Brat, I noticed what you did there. it’s all good.
@deano: It’s all good. I was trying to get help for others the same…. your experience is appreciated.
Has anyone been accepted with Ira contributions or early withdrawal? Turbo tax wouldn’t let me efile kept saying they didn’t know how to report it, so H&R Block let me efilw but haven’t been accepted! Said it may take longer than normal….
@IGMR Admin: I was only trying to get Toni some help and no I have never had any problems with being rejected filing federal taxes have a great eve
@Mike: thanks I will and try to access tomorrow
@Mia: Are you able to access your transcripts online? This would allow you to see your cycle codes from past years returns and give better insight. If you are a weekly processor its possible you could see an update to transcripts tonight after 12AM, and an update to WMR on saturday. If you are weekly you could process any day of the week, although we see a mass update on Tuesday’s.
If I was accepted Monday when do you think I’ll update?
@jemar707: Love that idea
@Mike, just got to tell them to not be shy. lol. Sometimes it seems like we have so much knowledge and they might not have a clue so they are intimidated to comment. Dear lurkers, I have no f’in clue. it’s all good.
Seriously. I know we have plenty of lurkers on here. I truly do enjoy sharing my experience and knowledge and helping others, that is why we are all here.
@Deano: Let us know if it works out in case someone else has the same problem.
@IGMR Admin: Just some playful stirring of the pot :) To the whole team- thank you. I have always loved this site and all the time and effort into it. 23 was truly a bad year, after a 8 year relationship we split and among other things that happened. So to see all my old friends has been a welcoming distraction. Lets start this watch party!
All in fun everyone… speak up and ask Mike your questions. Or any of us. Users know more than any of us sometimes.
@Mike: hey now, whose team are you on. Ok fine, Sheila knows her stuff but I know how to make the buttons work!!!
@Sheila_33: Yes I figured that was coming lol and laughed when I saw it.
I’ll let it be the thunder dome.
@Sheila_33: 🤣
@IGMR: How did i know i was gonna get a response from MamaBear? :)
Sheila or Mary will come down and spank your asses for misbehaving.
@Sheila_33: you’re giving them space. I’m
Here. lol. I just put up with more shit.
@IGMR Admin: Ok thanks!
Behave and be kind. I’ll be around later. :)
@Question: no. There is a freeze on any refunds with Path Credits no exceptions
@Mike: I filed with Jackson Hewitt yes I do have a pin we created one when I filed and of course AGI basically what I was saying is I’ve had no issues in that respect ever few years ago I used to use TurboTax never had issues there either then again thank you for your help
@MoCarr2118: indeed, my friend
@jemar707: Thank you. Being a Test batch Pather is it still ‘possible’ to get sooner?
@Queation: If it is showing one bar complete, that means your return was accepted in what we call a “test batch” because the IRS doesn’t officially start accepting tax returns until 1/29. When you are accepted in a test batch, you can receive your refund earlier than anticipated from regular returns that begin being accepted on 1/29.
If you were accepted in a test batch, or not, we have a refund cycle chart that we use to see when you can anticipate seeing your direct deposit. It could be sooner than our chart for NHBs.
Refund Cycle Chart
https://igotmyrefund.com/irs-e-file-refund-cycle-chart/
NHB vs. TFI
https://igotmyrefund.com/no-hold-bank-nhb-or-traditional-financial-institution-tfi/