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.
@Tab: Have you got the “still being” or the “is being” on your messaging? Trying to follow your progress, if you don’t mind.
@Sheila_33: It’s back to showing info. It may have just been overloaded with requests.
@Txnate: I read something interesting in the manual yesterday in reference to those as of dates (which in the manual are referred to as 12 c dates). When a notice is going out, instruction are that they be postmarked by the date on the as of date. So, if a 5071c is being mailed, it needs to be sent out by that date.
You all with the “no info” on the Wmr, what was your Wmr saying previously?
@Sheila_33: good morning! im just about to the point of just sayin eff it and just watch the irs do whatever they gonna do.. ill get my money eventually.. as they say better late then never
@Tab: it’s doing the same for me too. Assuming it’s in the window for possibly updating in the system. But it’s been wonky for everything this year
@Txnate: Good morning. I believe this has been the weirdest year so far I’ve seen as far as the transcripts go.
@Sheila_33: i agree im thinking this week will be like last week
@Tab: Wmr has been all over the place it seems. When mine has done that in the past, I’ve called the WMR automated system, and it gives me my info.