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.
@Brandan: Hi , I have also been on pending for a while with NYS.
My wmr just has 1 bar and says it is being processed so I’m hoping for this week updates
@Audra: lol yep because IT is monitoring the site they may say oh refund time so we will over look it lol 😂
@Mike: Thank you!
Hello everyone! I’ve been seeing several people asking about the meaning for the “As Of Date” on their transcripts. It have absolutely nothing to do with you receiving your refund. It simply mean, that is the date you have to pay online or mail a check to the IRS IF you have any penalties owed to them. Good luck and happy tax season my friends.
@Harris: no only actc and eic
@Don25: yeah same here. ive always received it as it claims “before jan xx”
wonder what’s different this year
Hopefully they’re just giving random answers and they’re not correct. Very confusing. I keep refreshing to see if there’s a deposit.
@kgkgkg: I have not. I have always in the past received it early. I processed so quickly I was sure I would have it by.1-28-31 like last year. As long as it comes tomorrow, I have no beef coming.
@KMK: well that’s good to know. Seems like everyone that has a 2/1 is just waiting. Hopefully it’ll come later today. I have a Credit Union too and they’re always early. I’m over here logging into my bank every hour – they probably think I’m crazy with all this activity!
@NY1: I never believe anything they say honestly however if that is the case that is odd
@NY1: that is weird!!!!!!!!!!
Hi everyone. Bored, decided to give my families updates.
My son filed taxes for the first time this year. He has a DDD of the first. No deposit yet. He didn’t have any fees or anything. He still has 2 bars.
As for my husband and I, we were accepted on the 28th. We have credits so we have to wait till mid-Feb (15th or 18th? I’ve seen both?). We do still have 1 bar and have no yet received the Path message.
Reading back at others, I have lost our bar and went into ‘processing’ before. It was because my husbands employer was late turning in w2s and we had to verify our income. It might help to go into an office and get a head start rather than wait for the letter to come in. I’ve learned that things move faster if you get a tax advocate as soon as you lose bars. The quicker you get on getting your w2s and all other info sent in the faster you can get back into the processing line. Without an advocate they will tell you to wait for the letter to come in the mail, which could take weeks. The advocate can get you back on track faster.
My daughter filed on 1/23 just simple return. She had DD 1/31 and her money was in her account on Friday. WE have a Credit Union.
@IHATETAXTIME: my transcript 846 is 02/01 and WMR says approved. But IRS says no…..
@Ladynightwing81: No something is definitely going on with the refunds. I’m getting kind of worried at this point in the game
@NY1: your 846 was 2/1? Or estimated date From your tax preparer?
Is anyone else’s NY state return still in pending? Mine has been for a while now. 😅
I have a DDD of 2/1 with chime. No refund. Just called IRS and they told me it hasn’t even been approved and that it will take 21 days for processing. So I won’t get a refund now??? I knew something was weird not getting a deposit Friday…..
@Brittany Amador: Yes, you will receive a letter confirming you set up an IDme account.
No updates on transcripts. Half filled out.