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.
@Txnate: Accepted on the 17th. It literally just updated. I still had 1 bar 15 minutes ago
@Jub426: congrats! when did you file and when were you accepted?
I’m a weekly and wmr just updated for a ddd of January 31
@Sheila_33: Are you referring to mine or my moms? And did your wmr update or stay the same?
@ChelleB: yes, we probably got resequenced until next week
@Txnate: And are you referring to your wmr message when you say it went to still processing. I had the regular standard tax topic yesterday now i have your refund is still processing a refund date will be provided. Same as my mom but i filed 01/21
@ChelleB: no
@ChelleB The Wmr reflects the transcript so it’s my guess it’s reflecting the resequencing since the As Of date was placed. “Still processing” can mean delay. But, I have seen many go from that messaging to being fully processed and the path message or refund date show up next cycle.
@Txnate: Thats really weird. Seeing that neither on of us is nowhere near our 21 days. Did anything change for you?
@Sheila_33: just her filing status. Mine has the same thing and I just filed 01/21. Nothing has changed for me and i have the message as well. I saw movement yesterday on my transcripts went from NA to account transcript with all 0.
@ChelleB: filed 1/19 accepted 1/22, all zeros on transcript as well with as of date of 2/12