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.
@Txmomof3girls: Yup. Lucky they have improved their systems this year and you knew very quickly. I have experience with the ID verify over the last years. If you are not able to do it online, you will either need to do it over the phone, or go to your local IRS office and do verification. It’s a simple process, and once you do it it will generally go back into processing immediately as long as there are no other issues.
So just checked WMR and it says take action to verify identity. When I click to verify my identity and tax return it says “we are not able to provide assistance to you via the identity verification tool” does this mean I need to call IRS? First time I’ve ever had this happen…. Transcripts are blank with no notices being sent….
Thanks Mike. Usually I dont file this early. Cause have the extra credits plus not used to tax season opening this late.
@TammyfromDC: Yes they do support 1099, along with many other preparers online.
@dio: That is because the IRS has not officially opened filing season. This happens Monday the 29th. People that have been accepted so far were in what is called a test batch, testing of the IRS systems before opening day. You can expect to be accepted anytime Monday or after.
has anyone else has any problem with being accepted from irs. files taxact its been 3 days
Good afternoon hope all is well getting ready to do my taxes trying to find a good software do anybody know if freetaxusa support 1099 forms
I updated to path message last night. But there’s still no word on my California state taxes
Aye!!! It’s tax time again!!! 😁 I’m super ready to get this show on the road, I’m trying to finish paying off my vacation 🙃
@GAN3269: it signifies you chose direct deposit and is always a good sign
Ok back for the night. I also checked WMR just for fun and everything is still the same, wanted to make sure no wording had changed or anything.
@GAN3269: This link can explain the reason for the tax topic 152 in greater detail: https://igotmyrefund.com/tax-topic-152/
Does everyone get Tax Topic 152 after you return is accepted? Does that mean it processed and waiting to get Path message or that is still under review?