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: have we found any rhyme and Rhythm as to why some from the 17th-20th received dates trans where blank?
@MoCarr2118: Good Morning what does your WMR say do you still have bar with same processing message
@Luck this year: Congrats 🎉 Did you have the path message on WMR. Also, did you have a DDD on your transcripts?
@Sebastian: My dates are almost the same at yours but I filed on the 16th with acceptance on the19th. My 2022 on my transcript wasn’t there at all on Thursday and Friday (I’m weekly) the bottom two showed 2022 but are empty. Has your transcript filled in yet with the info?
My daughter only got pell grants for college. Will she be getting a 1098 t form since she didn’t get student loans?
@Tarheel21: – Did your transcripts ever show 2022 but when you opened it they were blank? That’s what’s throwing me off.
@LWBOSS: Thank you! When did your transcripts finally complete? Did you see them only part way filled out on Friday?
Filed 1/05 accepted 1/10 recieved my deposit of $8,332 about 20 mins ago. I have simple 1040, CTC, EIC, ACTC. from my research it looks like I was pulled for a test batch. Complete luck cause I’m always waiting until March at the earliest. My status still shows 1 orange bar though
@RayC: Thanks for the update. I also am processed with same as of date. filed free and used bluebird this year. Fingers crossed!
Mine usually goes fast because I don’t have too much and it’s usually only a few hundred. I only come to update for when it helped me out years ago when I was waiting. Happy tax season y’all!
Filed and accepted 1/24
Approved today 1/29
Wmr ddd:2/1
One w2,CTC
@spring: No, they are closed on Sundays.
I’ve been trying to e-file with Turbo Tax for 4-days and kept getting rejected due to a processing issue with some form.
Finally got fed up and filed with Tax Act and both federal and state were approved in four hours. Completely done with TT … forever (Sandlot gif)
Filed: 01/17
Accepted: 01/19
Last Update: 01/27 to a blank transcript, top two boxes are N/A.
WMR Update: ”We have received your tax return and it is being processed. w/ TT 152.”
Here’s to another week of IRS updates, hoping we all update.
@Pcapalinx3: No. It isn’t necessary to amend your return for something that small…
@Mike: Good Morning Mike so you had still processing refund date when available with bar and your weekly like I am because my wmr changed before Saturday to that I think on Friday morning but I know I’m weekly did your wmr change out of the ordinary
are they open Sunday
@Mike: thanks brother that helps a lot ,I have my bars and still processing refund date when available tax topic 152 and amount gone from side I was accepted on 19th and have path credits ,thank you for updating me I tried searching you like Sheila said but didn’t find you
i forgot to file my 1099R which i just got smh!!!
@Sheila_33: I meant thank it put then you sorry
@Sheila_33: then you do you think there’s any difference in having.bars not having bars and tax topic 152 and not having 152 with that message