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.
@Gators352: I am self employed but it didn’t have that option it just says its not available on my end.
@Fred 73: congratulations to you remember to loan me a dollar đź’µ lol
@Emily: maybe a glitch in their system also are you saying you’re paying out of your refund or is you paying up front fees? If you’re paying from your return your refund will go to 3rd party bank then irs will deposit it there then you would need to wait in that 3rd party bank to deposit your refund into your bank account
I used TAXSLAYER my federal was accepted today
@Ghee: same thing happened to me. I hope it works for us
@Ghee: make sure you double check your numbers
I was rejected for having wrong agi i put in my amended agi and it was rejected so i put in my agi before the amended return hopefully it accepts grrrrr
Next up transcript update let’s goooooooooo
@shelia33_ thank you
@Emily: It normally shows that when forms aren’t available or not ready yet. It should show the forms on the site.
Just wondering. I have used TT for over 5 years and I am trying to file and pay with my refund but its saying this option is not available. My brother did his yesterday and it was available for him. Is anyone else having this issue or is this what my tax season is already off too. Hope everyone is well.
Well I made the Test Batch again….. not sure f that is good or bad this year…lol
Filed with taxact yesterday, accepted today
@Tab: Good. I’m very deserving
I only have ctc. Not the addional child tax credit. Makes for a much faster and cheaper return!!
@JJJ343434: You’re in a test batch.
Taxfreeusa*
Filed 1-11 accepted today. I thought they started processing the 23rd?
My federal was accepted have child credits. Filed with Freetaxusa
@Junewes0107: I have done that before with Free Tax USA.
I got rejected for the wrong agi and had to resubmit. Could I still make it in to a test batch?
I was wondering. I was going to file my taxes and got to the efile part and did my state but some of the state forms aren’t available yet. So I can submit my federal and then go back on and efile state once they available or do I have to wait for all forms to be there. Thank you
@CuriousGeorge: did you receive the refund advance ?
@celina93: did you get the loan advance ? I’m beginning to think their holding those until opening day..
@CuriousGeorge:did u hv loan advance?
Ok I see others were just accepted to congrats. I filed free tax USA. Have Eic and ctc tho
@Janet30145: they have been check general topics on the forum
Just got email irs just accepted my tax return. Anyone else.
Has anyone been rejected with the following request but you had private insurance all year through an employer ? Choose Marketplace Health Insurance (1095-A) from the Deductions / Credits. And when you go in it requests a form you wouldn’t have because you’re not apart of marketplace insurance?
Just accepted. Free Tax USA
I filed with TT yesterday and just got accepted.
I filed thru Freetaxusa on the 13th and mine was accepted by the IRS ten min ago. No credits.
Ugghh my comments are not showing up!
Just filed and already accepted.
I got mines just asepted. I dos gots to get my fund.
@Goodvibes: turbo tax
I filed with TT and I have all credits and unfortunately just found out I owe my state which will offset it but it shouldn’t delay anything I had a offset years ago as well and it was just deducted from the amount
@Celina93: who did you file with?
@Janet30145: haven’t seen anyone yet.
@Patientlywaiting1987: who did you file with?
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