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.
@Walter DOG: Just guessing but I’m wondering if it has anything to do with that 2/26 date. I should have stayed at 2/19 because of those path credits, should have froze that return. So, now just wondering if it’s a system glitch. As of dates go out 3 cycles. Unless you processed as an 01 last Friday, that date shouldn’t have shown up last week.
Just tried to verify over the phone., had to make an appointment. Can I walk in to the office?
@Sheila_33: I’m wondering if everyone on path with trans filled out has same thing when I very first updated when o login right off you saw account balance 000 and now for last liiile while it doesn’t have 000 under account balance it has sho details of tax record
@Sheila_33: I agree. Hopefully a sign the irs is getting back on track and this tax season is headed in a better direction
This is honestly starting to get annoying now. So are we just going to get pushed out week after week all year? Not any damn movement just as of date like usual. Already been 3 weeks.
@Amy19: oh ok. Then I guess my theory doesn’t work 😁
@Monee: It did. I remember you mentioning that and was watching for it. Maybe a positive?
@Mirah: I filed opening day, not early.
Is this no movement on transcripts only affecting us who filed early?
@Sheila_33: did your 0.00 disappear from your account status on the irs site? My transcripts haven’t changed but my 0 balance owed is gone. Just when I thought it was safe. Lol
@Txnate: I read that someone with the verify tax return got their letter today. It was a 12c just wanting them to fax in their w2 or 1099 to show their withholdings. Hopefully it’s something equally as simple for you and you won’t be held up any longer.
@Txnate: Yes, yours is definitely signaling delay. A few years ago, path lifted on a Sunday I believe, and the next day, a lot of people updated to a still being processed messaging on their Wmr. It was rampant. But, for weeklies, on that Saturday they updated to a refund date. As of now, I’ve found it means delay.
@Tab: I am always looking to figure out a pattern too. I am also on the PATH and need this year’s refund to pay the 2021 taxes owed. I just want the 2021 paid so I can put it behind me! I sure hope and pray the rest of this week shows lots of updating. It is frustrating for some many people!