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.
@Txnate: Sundays always resolve to 0.00 while the page is under maintenance for the week. Sundays aren’t reliable for transcripts
Taxes was delayed 1 week because of 570 code and these geniuses mailed me a check 🤦♂️
I filed and was accepted on feb 17! Now it just says sorry for delay! Not sure what’s happening
@Txnate: It does mean it is done processing but it does not mean the 570 is resolved. I’ve had 570 since 2/16 and the day that it appeared my IRS account info updated to reflecting the figures on this year’s return, I had 0.00 for account balance, and it no longer said my return hadn’t been processed. It then disappeared (I want to say maybe the next day) but it does go back to showing 0.00 briefly every Sunday morning for some reason, although it has meant absolutely nothing honestly.
Today mine says return filed 3/11 amount 0.00 i filed 2/1 but under the 0.00 is eic and two other credits so why 0.00?
@Jacky_FL: Your sweet! Happy Monday EVERYONE. May this week end with some positive movement for all of us!
@Morris: The reason I said Friday is because that’s the date transcripts were updated last week and the week before that.
@Denise N: I believe it is Thursday night into Friday
@Boogerbaby089: Yayyy 😊 You’re amazing 🤩
@Morris: we should update Friday night into Saturday
@WorryWart: mine has the same notice dated for the same day 🥹
@Alizay: Oh, I was going based off your post…and there wasn’t a code listed. My mom didn’t owe anyone either, hers was due to an over payment she received on her taxes…so the IRS basically ’took it back’. That’s the same message she got on WMR when that happened to her though, so that’s why I figured it was an offset. You called them today, on a Sunday?
@Sleepless4taxes: If it’s still popping up, it probably didn’t go through. it should disappear after verifying, Also, since you verified this past Thursday you probably won’t update until next week. It’s taking 2 full weeks for most of us. I’m still waiting, but I should update this week.
Asking for a friend…. For those who have gotten 570 code on transcript, when you first login to your account does it tell you that your tax return is not processed? My friends return updated on Friday with a 570 code and her main account page showed her return hasn’t been processed but she checked again today (Sunday) and on her main account page the not processed message is gone and her account balance is complete. Does this mean that the 570 has been resolved and will be updated next Friday?
Has anyone who ID Verified via the letter received gotten their refund ? I verified with the code on the letter last week on Thursday… ID verify message still pops up and transcripts are N/A
Has anyone got a refund with after getting letter CP05.
Nothing has updated but I got my letter online today.
….well, 60 day review it is apparently. Just logged into my IRS account and now it has a notice available, which is a CP05 dated for 3/11 (the date next to my 971). FML
@Honeybee82: Hi, I looked up the code and its a math error and also, I do not owe anyone money so therefore there is no way for my refund to be offset. I called the IRS and was told that it hasn’t even started processing.
@Ailad: Thank you, but I’m not the one who owed…I already got my refund. I was answering someone else’s question about an offset they have 😊
I got a 810 code on my transcript but everything else is blank it says no return filed or process
@Jacky_FL: I DID IT!!! It took me all day to figure out activation link was being sent to spam folder 🤔 . Lol I got it done though.
@Boogerbaby089: me too
@Honeybee82: call this number 18003043107 is the offset line you be able to get information like who you owe money to and the balance owe if there’s any.
@Casual: Im in the same boat
My return is basic no deductions
This is ridiculous
I called and no reason was givin
@Denise N: I answered that question already
@WorryWart: I filed early and then was hit with 570/971 and still no change on my transcripts after the dates of 2/26 and electronic email on 3/4… I have called IRS multiple times to get someone to then get disconnected to then have to sit and wait another hour to get a hold of someone to still not get any answers.