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.
DDD is set for today, but it’s 2:22 central time and still there has been a deposit.
@Walter DOG: it went from 1 bar to PATH message, from what I can tell
@Walter DOG: Yes, Hasn’t changed.
I usually get a deposit before it updates but I’ll check this year. Should change today but ???
@AngelicaP: did your wmr stay at one bar being processed or did it change to still processing
@Motorhead: did your wmr stay the same
Test batcher 1/19.
DDD of 2/3 on trans last night.
Changed to 02 this year after being a weekly for decades.
Hey, so I was an early test batch lucky duck, and mine was accepted on January 19. My processing/as of date is February 13. I’m no longer skeptical of the thousands of IRS agents hired for this year 😅
Who’s up!
Hello everyone
@Chris: same
Received on 2/26 transcript filled in
All codes are good to go for a refund still have being processed on WMR Waiting for Path act that should happen 3am through 6am
tonight is mass update!!🙂
@HRBLOCKHEAD: Always amend after you get the refund. If you try before. It turns into a royal mondo duke fest
@Becky e: You’re set. Just have to wait for that deposit now. Check the as of date. That’s when IRS has to set the deposit out or hopefully not. That They delay it for whatever reason. But that’s rare. Sometimes just seems it happens alot on here. Because usually this forum as much as we want to deliver good news. People usually report bad news.
@Bubba: If you google some news reports out that path was temporary lifted this year because the economy. But I personally don’t believe it. But, the IRS did way more hiring this year and they continue to do so. I filed 01/27 just last Thursday. I used to be weekly updater for 6 years after a soft audit. This year I changed out of the blue to daily. I already can see all my transcripts as of today and have an as of date 02/20. That’s the fastest I’ve see for myself since path started.
What up people? Long time no see! Filed 1/28 accepted 1/29! But I’m a PATHer anyways but a few other forums I’m on make it look like they’re moving FAST this year? Hopefully for all of us! 🙏😢🤣
Has anyone that fell under the path act got their refund or a dd date. Heard some already are
@Becky e: all great codes! Just waiting on the money maker code 846. Then your all set for that direct deposit. If your walking the path you’ll likely walk it till after the 15th when the path lifts. Good luck!
@Jenny23: this year is a mess for me wish I hadn’t filed early don’t know it that’s got anything go do with it or not but if you can do your id me or make account you can login to I’d verify and it will show if you got to or not I don’t mind if that was my problem it’s no big deal
@Elite711: yeah cause the IRS hasn’t accepted or rejected it yet
I got code 150 is that good?? Also 806 766 768
My transcripts have code 150, why. And codes 806 766 768 are they good codes. Especially 150
@MoCarr2118: I just filed my taxes with HRB (online) and it was immediately accepted as well. I have one bar on WMR.
@Amy19: no !!! It’s now 8:09
@Mike: ok so do you have the tax topic 152 or no? I think that’s what is prompting me that I’ll have to ID verify. I can’t get into transcripts because of id me
@KDinAZz: Did your taxes get accepted? Hoping they did.
@Gwen: 3 to 6 am est
@Kev85: wondering the same thing about my 1099c left out…hope we get our refunds ,then we can amend,cause amending takes months I hear.
@Elite711: I filed with Turbo Tax and it took 72 hours to go from pending to accepted….
@Kev85: you will definitely have to amend….probably best to wait until after your refund though….
What time does wmr update?
I filed my taxes on Friday and was accepted with the IRS. I forgot about when I switched companies I I withdrew from my 401k and did not report it on my taxes. I just received a 1099-r form telling me it was taxable income of $12,000 which I also paid state and federal taxes on already of $3,000. Will this flag my return and slow my process down?
You guys after so manyyyyyyyy yearssssssssss I’m finally a daily my cycle code ends in 02 now!! My transcripts updated today I have the codes 766 768 806 with an as of date of February 20. Now I walk the PATH :)
Anyone else still never got CK refund advance through TT after being accepted? Also didn’t get a denial saying I wasn’t approved. I will def never use that service again, misleading advertisements.
@Marco.: I don’t think you will know for sure until you get your transcripts and can read the codes…
Hey everyone