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.
@LemonadePunch: gotcha… I’m just perplexed by the whole ID thing. When I called to attempt to set up an in person appointment, they said no letter has been sent… its been a good long while and I had even filled out a manual request after waiting..
@Brogon52: not yet for this year.
@Jennifer: It is impossible to recieve a refund with no transcript filled out. A refund requires that 846. Literally, the 846 code is like hitting a button to open a safe to pull your money out.
@Kori: Did Michigan already send your refund this year? Their site won’t allow me to check either, says wrong info.
@Michigander80: Thank you, I’ll do the same! I’m not able to check the status of mine because every time I go on the state WMR…it says my information doesn’t match (even though it’s right). Usually they’re pretty quick with getting them out though…I think I had it in a week or so last year.
@Honeybee82: I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything
@Michigander80: I filed last week and still can’t pull my info on the state where’s my refund, it’s saying no match found. I did check my bank and I got my refund exactly seven days after I filed so hopefully it comes soon
@Michigander80: I was wondering the same thing. Nothing is being posted on the MI state thread, so I wondered if anyone has gotten theirs back yet
Hello,
Anybody seen any refund dates for Michigan state taxes?
Has anyone ever received their refund before IRS site populated their transcripts?
( I havent…I’m just in ‘wishful thinking’ mode and trying not to lose my sanity atm)
My guess is that they are saying WAIT FOR THE LETTER so that whatever is going on systematically, can resolve and that ex out those who weren’t needing to verify at all. Anywho waiting for the stinking invisible letter and Friday to see if I update any
@Sheila_33: they are testing a new system this year I wonder did that somehow trigger something
@IHATETAXTIME: same thing happened to me this morning… she said no and wait on the letter but also said no letter has been sent yet :(
@Jocelynn: good morning
Called this morning to try and get an appt for verification again and was again turned down. They say u MUST wait for the letter. In my opinion ppl who are able to go In and verify and then update…may have been okay from the jump. Because they are NOT allow it