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.
@Waiting Impatiently: are you a weekly 05? I have a feeling those of us who are weekly got bumped from as of 2/19 to as of 2/26 because when oath lifts on the 16th it will be too late for them to process our update for that Friday so it’s going to move out to process by the following week. We will likely see refunds same day or a day after transcripts update.
Hello everyone!!
@Txmomof3girls: oh – thank you so much! I was worried and it’s not even that much money
@kathyarzola: It will not hold up your return right now, you’ll need to amend the return after you receive your refund.
I just received a 1099 from my employer for where they pay me extra to clean the office – I have been doing this for years and they never sent a 1099 before so I didn’t know they were going to send one. I have already filed and have the PATH message. What do I need to do? This is going to hold up my return isn’t it?
@NYkhidd: My account transcript says “no return filed” on the bottom….but I have an as of date. Although I wouldn’t use my transcripts as an example this year…because I’m one of the people who have been stuck on the 02/12 as of date with all 0’s lol. No notices to IDV either, on my IRS page or WMR. I was accepted on the 19th, WMR shows “still processing”, and as of date hasn’t changed at all since I was accepted and put into the system. If I don’t show movement on Friday, I’m definitely calling though! 😆
@Waiting Impatiently: we are in a very similar boat.
@jemar707: I will. Big hugs for real. I truly hate tax season. It’s robbery and deception. Just my opinion. It gives me bubble guts every year. But enough ramble. Have good day kind sir.
@Jason2: So when I went for mine, I took two forms of identification (driver’s license and social security card), this years tax return and direct deposit information, and W2; last years income tax return and W2. The person that verified my identity only looked at my drivers license, social security card and this years tax return.
Non pather, no advance or loans, only change from the last 11 years is my daughter aged out of being a dependent. Same job × years. Same kid for deduction. Originally 2/12 on transcript, moved to 2/19, now 2/26 for over a week all zeroes. No letters. No notices.
Ugh. Not waiting on big money….but I do need it.
@Tab: Thanks. I thought it was strange to have both NA and an “as of date”. My husband is locked out of his ID, changed his phone and never updated it so we only watch mine. Wages have 2023 but no info on it, all others are NA. Certainly hope and pray things populate for all of us waiting this week.
@jemar707: No I kept. I am going to show up for it tomorrow.
So I am a pather… I’m not able to see what anything on WMR it says I’m entering the wrong information 🙄 besides that I am able to log in to see my transcripts… top 2 N/A, account says as of 2/19 and has since last week, 🫤 I started screenshotting Friday just in case there were any changes… so will I update on the transcripts Wednesday?
@Jason2: that’s funny, they were pushing the local office hard on social media and the new releases. Did they cancel your appt?
@Katie: That’s how a friend of mine got her appointment, although she really did move!
@Froglover7m4: did she have an advance?
@Sheila_33: it is possible that my husband originally had a 2/19 but as I didn’t even think to look at his until this past Sunday where I saw the 2/26… wishful thinking that perhaps we’ll snap back and finish filling in on Friday 🤣😂
@Sarah D: So I got someone this morning who spoke to me and scheduled me a appointment. I had to call back to verify what to bring tomorrow and was told they shouldnt have assigned me a appoinment. and everyone is calling about this but have to wait for the letter which will come after 21 days .
@Sheila_33: Sorry if you’ve answered this already, but I had to step back from worrying for a couple of days. Do you think a non-path weekly with the 2/19 as of will update this Friday? No alerts or anything on my account for ID verify and no codes have popped up.
Howdy Sheila, just swinging by…
My daughters tax money just hit her account this morning. Her WMR is still on one bar. Filed and accepted into a text batch around the 19th.
@Caprece: sure thing, let us know if you need help with the transcripts.
@jemar707: thank you kindly for the response. Have a good day 😊.
@Tab: mine is the same as yours.
I think someone answer someone else’s question that was like mine. So nevermind. Have a good day all.
@Caprece: Yes. igotmyrefund.com/transcripts