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.
@IHATETAXTIME: I have moved many times before as well. I never had an issue.
@Patrice: Feel free to post your question in the California forum too if you don’t get an answer here.
https://igotmyrefund.com/forums/topic/california/
@Sheila_33… oops sorry. I didn’t know you were posting at the same time as my thesis. lol
@Graciousgambino: Have you been asking questions you’re not getting a response to? If I’m around, I’ll try to answer, but this is a user to user site and there are a lot of people here that if they know the answer, they’re gonna jump in and help.
@Txmomof3girls: I’ve moved 10 times in the past 17 years. I’ve never had to do any forms and I never had any delay.
@MissAndiB: Congratulations 🎉 when did you file and acceptance date? Was it in the test batches? Thank you
On the phone again. Apparently my letter was sent out the 24th or the 25 per the current agent I’m speaking with. She also stated it was sent to the correct address. She’s checking to see if it can be resent. Said I should receive it by Friday. Lord help me! 😩
@Jocelynn: yeah that would be a bad thing lol
Anyone know the number I can call to check on CA state taxes? Like a live rep?
@Txnate: I’m not holding my breath. I’d pass out for sure! 🤣🤣
@Jennifer: I use chime and get mine super early! EXCEPT when it’s gone through SBTPG..I know everyone argued about whether they do or don’t hold onto our refunds but that’s the only time I have had to wait for my actual DD
@Stayhumble: seriously make ppl feel stupid for asking a wit or they never respond so I rarely ask
@IHATETAXTIME: it does make since, your return this year has to process through to update to the new address unless you filed the change of address form with IRS. I forget the actual form number but three years ago when I moved and did not send in that form, it took two weeks longer to receive my refund because of the address change. Not saying that is going to be true for everyone but it was for me. I know one of the other users here was able to get an appointment at their local tax office to update their change of address and they also had the ID verify message and they ID verified at the same time.
@GodIsGreat2024: Do you have either of the EITC or ACTC? I believe those are the 2 they are holding per usual. I think the CTC can be disbursed at anytime but the others have to wait until mid-February unless you make it into a test batch.
@Jocelynn: considering we saw no movement last week i think we should be good this week
@MissAndiB: thank you for sharing and congrats!! Awesome to know there is hope. Wishing you the best 🙏
@Txnate: this stupid verify tax return info is driving me nuts!!! It’s so frustrating
@Sheila_33: idk what any of those numbers mean. Sorry lol. I just know our tax person told us it would be after the 15th before we got our refund and it was in my deep blue account this morning. On wmr it says my deposit date is February 7th so it’s very confusing but I already have it. And like I said I have both the child tax credit and the earned income credit as well so I did not expect it
@Fluff: You could, or wait for whatever letter they may or may not be sending. I honestly think it just happens to be whatever agent you happen to get at IRS.