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.
@Honeybee82: My situation is weird because my WMR changed to this on 01/28. A week before my account transcript even showed up this past friday. Also my mom is stuck on as of 2/12 her account transcript showed up on 01/27 she has to verify. Im so confused
@Jennifer: go to the irs website and login into your account. When you do that you can do the if verification.
Anyone get accepted for new mexico tax yet
Guys, we’ve updated the ID verify in the forum. There’s some old stuff in there but was hoping to get some newer comments in there about where you’re at on transcripts and if you’ve called in and found out anything. Later on in the year, it could really help others that might get come under the same situation.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-letter-5071c-or-6331c
ID VERIFY ISSUE – I tried calling to set up an appointment at my local office (WMR says I have to verify, irs site has nothing, no letter received, filed early Jan and was accepted mid Jan) – they wouldn’t let me set up an appointment!! The lady was polite, but she said “As of right now, there’s nothing to verify and no letter was sent out.” :( I could freaking cry right now it’s so frustrating…I’m hoping maybe it’s a genuine issue and it’s kicking that message out to folks that have child tax credit/EIC stuff…I wish I could just verify in person. I’m literally up the road from my local IRS office
@Mara_slayer: I’m curious about this too asked a couple times on here but no luck with a reply
I have a DDD of 2/7. Filed through TT, accepted 1/19, fees to be taken from refund, no credits or PATH. I have Credit Karma and I was wondering if anyone has received their DD earlier than the scheduled date?
@ChelleB: My WMR had the regular “processing” and TT 152 for the first few days….then it switched to “still processing” and the 152 disappeared. That happened to me last year too, and I processed through just fine without having to verify. I think my return may have been pulled for manual review, mostly because my as of date never pushed back on Friday…and it’s still stuck on 02/12. Even if I had to verify, the as of date should have pushed out to 02/19. I think I’m stuck waiting until Friday to see if I have any movement, and call them if I don’t. I’m just hoping that since I was accepted early, whatever they’re doing can be finished up by the time Path lifts lol 😊
I have the Take Action message on WMR but, nothing on account. Unable to use the verification tool to id verify. No notices or letters in account.
Called and spoke with an agent to make an appointment for later this week.
Also called the identity theft hotline and was told that they couldn’t assist without the letter.
Letters are sent out 21 days after being accepted.
@Fluff: Good morning, I called as well, but was told the same thing. I have to wait for the letter. Basically, I can’t do anything but wait until after the 19th.
@Honeybee82: Goodmorning! On your WMR i know you said you have the still processing but do you have the helpful information underneath it that says “Please read the following information related to your tax situation” then it has the tax topic 152 link for you to click on. Just curious cause thats what WMR mine has. My mom also has the still processing but without the tax topic link and she has to id/return verify.
@Honeybee82: as of date still reflects 2/19 just like it did when the blank transcript populated. Not showing any notices sent either
So if the r website says currently unavailable, does that mean that it is updating?
@Katie: thank you! 😊 I figured it would probably be a last minute type thing lol
@Bummer: that’s actually cool that they give an option to get your refund. I was reading regarding filing ch7 recently here in Fl and the court auto takes refund from current year filed and following year. Which makes me want to have as little taken out as possible before filing
Soooo just realized I’m gonna be waiting forever this year because of my bankruptcy filing. I have to get permission of the trustee to get my own money back ugh
@Honeybee82: I want to say it in the past has been the day of… they hold to it as long as they can.
Good morning all! Are we thinking the 2023 account transcripts with zeros are a cause for concern? Accepted 1/23, my account transcript showed up that Friday (no return on file). Then this last Friday updated to the as of 2/19 date. No verification listed on WMR or actual IRS account. Not path… I’ve checked previous year transcripts, no added codes. My refund is larger this year because of W2-g win/loss but other than that only 1 W2. Records/journals kept for Win/loss. Thanks in advance
@Honeybee82: I got a DDD of 02/07 and I just checked mine it also TPG says unfunded as well…..
@AA in Mo: Did you recently create an ID.me account? If so it could be a letter thanking you for creating that account.
@Michelle P: yes, you’re just waiting for the path to lift.
@DebMom: I’m wondering the same. My mom’s DDD is this week, but her TPG page still says “unfunded”…no progress whatsoever. I can’t remember if they don’t update until the day of, or the day before….or if it’s a few days
@Fluff: you can try to call back and get someone else, I know some have had success with different agents.