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.
@Mamatrilogy3: see this is why I used Free Tax Credit because it’s exactly what it says Free I know some people need the advance but sometimes it’s not worth the price my friend did the advance and was turned down the next day she did hers through her tax preparer and still got turned down from the advance
I just went on SBBT website and looked at breakdown of fees. I paid for:
Fast Cash Advance interest repayment $93.00
According to site but I’ve been accepted by IRS since Friday and never received the TT/Credit Karma advance as promised. Hmmm, I’ll be calling them tomorrow. People check to see if they’re charging you for a fee that you didn’t get approved for.
@MichelleP$: i have too is that good?? Does that mean we are done and we will get refund soon??
@punkin sc: you can link regular bank account and make a transfer
Wow I got the Path message on WMR already.
@MoCarr2118: I don’t have the PATH message this year either? Wonder what’s up with that
@VaGal07: exactly I’m in the same boat except no “still” just processing
@Mike any word on RI state taxes?
@MoCarr2118: It wasn’t just early filers. I know of several, including me, who filed on opening day and the same is happening to us. My WMR wording hasn’t changed though. Still the same as the day I was accepted. I have Account and Wage with 2022 but blank with zeros. It’s like they were started and then just left. 🥴
@Jenny: Hope so sounds right did your wmr change from being processed I forgot what your says
@Yandyy: thank you I hope all is well for you I had a wonderful church service today thank you
@•°Karma°•: you can still get a account with id me what does wmr say now for you
It seems like early filers that were accepted from the 18th through the 20th have partially filled out transcripts with the 2022 areas empty. A lot have also noticed their WMR move from the regular processing with 152 code to still being processed. Not everyone during this time, but so so many. Anyone ever experience this before? I don’t remember this happening last year. I don’t think I will file early again.
@kikij2: I owed money…. Also I think you are not supposed to give exact numbers on this forum.. It is just to insure your anonymity…..
@Remedyhd: it’s odd normally they start dropping on Friday. It’s odd that we’ve waited this long.
Does anyone know when the IRS starts sending out payments ? Around midnight?
@Jenny: I filed on the 16th and accepted on the 19th with TT. When you were resequenced, did your WMR always show being processed with one bar and code 152 or did it ever change to still being processed?
@•°Karma°•: If you set up a new account and see your transcripts, would you please give an update?
@Taxtime69: Your tax return had still being processed and it took over a year to complete?
@Littesd: You’re very welcome. :)
Here’s a link that the IRS released concerning the w4s:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-on-the-2020-form-w-4
@Sheila_33: thank you for answering! I was thinking the same just wanted to see what you said ♥️
@Amy19: I will let Jemar know. Thank you ma’am