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.
Can anyone provide the number to get an appt for this ID verification
I have yet to receive a letter and do not wait to wait weeks for one
@Txnate: She has the eitc and ctc credits
Just finished my appointment for ID verify. I was in and out within 10 minutes. The agent looked at my DL and this years return. That was it. He said that he complete the processing. It could take up to 9 weeks but, he’s seen go through a lot sooner. Suspects that I should refund before the end of the month. I have been a victim of identity theft in the past and he stated that due to that and having used a new checking account for the direct deposit, that’s the reason I was flagged.
@ak: We live in Georgia so that maybe why
@ChelleB: its possible that your mom could get a ddd of 2/14 and the irs just pushed her out passed that cause they know something we dont
@Jenny04: do you have an id.me account? They apparently did away with the way I use to sign in to check transcripts
@ChelleB: Honestly don’t know. I called yesterday, they gave me appointment the next day. It may just be the area also.
@ak: How were you able to get an appointment so soon? My mom has one but its not until the 15th of this month
@Clos: could be. I know a whole lot of ppl file as early as possible because of all the fraudsters. It can take months or more if someone illegally files a return claiming your kids or using your ss. And really ppl can’t wait that long for their refunds :(
@@Mbry0625: Morning. Yea, me too. :)
Filed 1/16 transcripts were all blank until last Friday have as of 2/19 all good codes and my – amount on top. Wmr has 1 bar with path message
Here’s my theory why I think the whole ID verify thing is happening. Filing early before all info is actually received by the IRS that you are claiming on W-2 or 1099 or many people filed early and the system is saying lets make sure its not fraud. My last two years I waited for 36 days and 46 days with N/A week after week and then still got processed and money on the last Wed of Feb or first week of March. I am Path. I always count 21 days after path lifts and its right on the money
@Missy: you don’t have to but you know they have a child care tax credit
What’s up my peeps hope everyone updates this week this year transcripts and wmr both been Funky
@Sheila_33: good morning. I am hoping these empty transcripts update Friday.
@bell51: I agree, we also only have the “it is being processed” on wmr so idk what’s going on, I’m guessing this year is about to teach us patience 😅
@Kate: If the date starts moving, it’s a positive. Means it may be processing.
Hey peeps! Any one has any ideas on why I can’t get into irs to check my transcripts to see where anything is? I don’t know what to do now. I filed on Jan 31st and was accepted the same day and I do have ECI credits
@ak: that’s awesome you were able to verify! 🎉
Is it possibly a negative if our as of date is 2/19 (no verification messages or other codes). Was as of “2/12” up until late last Friday which converted to 2/19. Non-path… 05 cycle the last 5+ years…
I verified this morning. How long does it take for it to reflect on my account?
I verified this morning. How long does it take for it to reflect on my account?