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’m not alone ;( !! This letter thing is killing me… I was accepted 1/21 and I’m just like cmon….any day now.. keep checking SBTPG (I used TT), IRS site, the app that does a whole bunch of nothing… no changes :/
well im done with turbo tax after this year. my refund was sent and i have fees taken out of refund so the santa barbara bank is supposed to take out the fees and send it on to my bank. well after waiting several days i call my bank and ask whats going on. they said it was sent to them as a business account not a personal acccount so they sent it back. ok there was nowhere to specify business or personal account. and now they have to wait forthe return of money,no telling how long thatll be . so much for filling early. BEWARE OF TURBO TAX WITH FEES TAKEN OUT OF YOUR REFUND
@Jennifer: the invisible letter! Yep! lol!
@Sharon Grayson: I got WMR on the 27th I was accepted the 24th. I got the notification on my irs account last Wednesday I believe. No letter received. I have the “to protect u from identity theft” message on WMR
@Honeybee82: I was accepted 29th. He was accepted 30th. There are no numbers/data when he logs in. But on his notifications from his bank it said $100 from state of Michigan. Could be EIC adjustment from 2023 as the law is going retroactive.
Anybody else still waiting on their ID verify letter? I
@Manabear33: Really….that’s crazy! Do you remember the dates you guys were accepted? I was accepted on 02/01, so I’m not expecting it this week….but I’m hoping for next lol 😊
@Sharon Grayson: I was accepted on 1/30@Sharon Grayson: I was accepted on 1/30. Transcripts updated that Friday with as of date 2/19. WMR gave the Take Action message on Sunday.
No message on account or notices sent out.
@Sarah D: last year I had my refund in 8 days. So far this year I haven’t seen very many people get their money yet.
@Honeybee82: I got a DDD for the 9th, however my son has noting in his Michigan wmr but he just got a random $100 deposit. ?? His refund is supposed to be like 2200.
@Brogon52: Mine hasn’t changed either.
Did everyone that had an ID verify pop up cycle through once before you were notified on transcript or WMR? I was accepted the 31st of January so if I were to get ID verify on WMR it would be there Saturday morning? I am weekly.
@Txnate: Sweet! That’s awesome..haven’t checked mine today but it was there yesterday. I feel like I probably wont be as lucky lol
@IHATETAXTIME: Lol exactly……we’re all in the same boat, but have assigned seats. 😆
Is it us who haven’t updated all been accepted 1/29 and before?