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.
@Walter DOG: Yes I pay fees out of my refund. I used chime last year and got my refund days earlier.
@AA in Mo: nope next transcript update Tuesday with WMR update Wednesday for daily’s then Friday for transcripts and Saturday WMR for weeklies.
Are we expecting a big transcript update tonight to fix all the 0s and As of?
Floridadad I do also transcripts filled as of date Feb 19. Usually get my return the 18th or 19th
@floridadadof2: yes that’s good your all set just waiting on Feb 16 for 846 code
Does anybody have this message on WMR?
I have PATH with 1 bar
“Check Where’s My Refund in mid- to late February for your personalized refund status. It’s updated once a day and remains the best way to check the status of your refund”.
@2blessed: Also if your transcripts got the good codes and just waiting on the 846 like I am then your good to go now I’m worried about chime I thought they was like netspend
@2blessed: your good to go I got chime this year to first year using them why you get it so late with chime every year with Netspend I got it on the same day I got the 846 code so chime doesn’t do that do you pay fees out of your refund
@Fluff: it should, it really was easy. Hopefully they can get you in this week. I live in rural East Texas so they had plenty of appointments!
@Fluff: just you the primary
@Txmomof3girls: well I hope it goes that smooth for me, I have the passports, the socials, the License, tax returns, and the direct deposit info…
@Fluff: probably both I would think!
@Txmomof3girls: one more question…would my wife need to get it verified as well, or will they just need my info? We filed jointly
@Fluff: and the bank account direct deposit information if your refund is being direct deposited. Honestly when I went he only looked at my drivers license, social security card and this years tax return. But I took the other stuff just in case.
@Walter DOG: @Walter DOG: Hey my good friend. So here I am again this tax season. Well I filed 1/17 and accepted 1/18. Wmr said being processed until Friday. Now I’m on the path. All transcripts are filled in with good codes. My as of date was 2/12, now it 2/19. I bank with chime. Last year I received my ddd 2/21. Just wanted your opinion on how things are looking for me. Oh and my social security for 2023 hasn’t been filled in as of yet. But I feel like, I’m on the path, just waiting for the 846 code. Please give me your feedback.. Is being on the path act a good thing?
@Txmomof3girls: so drivers license, social, this year and last years income return