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.
@sheila_33. I am a weekly.
@Amy19: I don’t know if it will help to call the advocate or not but you might try. I honestly hoped as much time as it was taking, they were trying to adjust. I’m so sorry hun.
Also, last year my transcripts updated with DDD later in the day on Friday after being incomplete that morning and WMR the following morning.
What they mean by account transcripts are clickable?
@Jdw: Mine is looking the same and would match the pattern from last year considering the as of date and DDD
@DebMom: This is exactly what mine was last year and what I am hoping for this year!
@Sheila_33: Our transcript finally updated, 971 notice issued 2/12. I am flabbergasted they did not knock off the interest owed! I get it that it is a lesson learned but a steep price to pay. What is now owed almost matches our refund this year. I am hoping they take it as an offset, if not I will pay it once the refund hits my bank. A recap: May 2023 we received a notice of unreported income. We filed the W2, which was exactly the same as the last pay stub BUT my husband was in the hospital and got disability for 12 weeks. That was not accounted for on the W2, the company says they did not realize there was an error, we had no idea until the letter showed up. I got an advocate to at least see about dropping the interest seeing it was not a deliberate error but according to today’s transcript we have to pay it. I just want it over and done with. Thanks for helping.
I was accepted on Jan 24th and im not seeing an update on my transcript. Is it because I was just accepted 2 days ago?
@Sheila_33: looking back last year I see my direct deposit posted two and a half weeks before my as of date. My official WMR date was two weeks before that as of date which as my current as of date is 2/12 would mean possible 1/30 or so
@Clos: I went and checked last year I received my refund about 2.5 weeks before my as of date
@VaMom: same here 🙃
Filed 1/19, accepted 1/20, still N/A on transcripts 😩
@Jdw: Congratulations
Filed 1/15
Accepted 1/16
O5 weekly
I can see my transcript with as of date 2/12. I am pather. I can see my wages and credits and alot of zeros. Hope this helps
@DrBlute: yes
Mine (on my husband’s account, not mine) has account with new address, filing status as single, with as of date 2/12. 🤣
I’m so confused!
Transcripts updated today , single/HOH , with one non child dependent , looks like I have a DDD of 1/31/24. Hope it helps.
@DebMom: hopefully thats the case today
2023 Account transcript popped up this morning with all 0’s. So if it doesn’t fill in today it will most likely hit next Friday. I’ve been weekly for years. Most cases if it is not filled in by 6 am it’s a small chance it will fill in that same day. But I know very few get additional updates throughout the day. So let’s hope and pray.
@Sheila_33: I went from all zeros to a direct deposit overnight early Saturday last year long before I saw my updated transcripts or a DDD on WMR