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.
I have been on this site since 2015 and I participate…. This year I was a spectator… I had the infamous 971 and 570 codes on my transcripts…. I am a weekly update my transcripts updated this morning with 846 and a ddd of 03/21…. But I wanted to encourage some of you guys who file with credits and EIC if you can hold off from filing early to receive cash advance as former filer who received credits and EIC it is better to file your taxes after the 12th of February…. But I really want to thank all of you for the help each tax season I really appreciate this site
@LostNthesauce: U still waiting on your letter and I have received 3 total. 1 on day 17 another one last week and the 3rd Monday. They say to allow up to 14 days now it’s 21 days. According to them, they said there is a backlog of letters that need to be sent out.
@Morris: well thanks for doing the math for me cause I’m way over it lol
Same ole allow 30 days speech with usps smh meanwhile I just received a email from my congressman office needing me to fill out a release form so they can take action! I will be filing this TODAY!!!
@LostNthesauce: My bad u should have gotten on the 10th
@LostNthesauce: I didn’t get my letter until 17 days later. According to the math yours should be here no later than March 17th
WMR says it’s unavailable. I was trying to see if the 152 or message was still the same. This limbo for going on 7 weeks since filing is gettin all kinda frustrating
@Morris: I still haven’t seen a letter that had suppose to been sent on the 22nd of February! I’m on hold now but already know it’s the same okie dok! 1/29/24 in limbo
@Sheila_33: Yes!! Thanks for the confirmation. 😁
@Mandie: Hopefully this is a sign that we will be updating in the early morning.
*received on the 4th
@Morris: 152 is gone for me as well. And there’s finally a letter in the mail from the irs, which I’m assuming is just the physical version of the notice I received on the
@Gemineye◇Beauty: Yes, the 846 is your ddd. Congratulations
@Morris: tax topic 152 is gone also.
My WMR updated from still being processed to We have received your tax return and it’s being processed. First movement since filing.
@Morris: yes🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾
@ShantayG: The exact same thing happened to me! I got divorced and changed my name with SS but not with work bc I was waiting to change my driver license and I just procrastinated on that so my wages and my IRS account were in my married name and SS and tax return were with my maiden name so that triggered the identity verification.
So I got a CP05 letter. People are telling me I have to verify. But what do I have to verify because I don’t see anything where I have to.
Has anyone got there refund after getting this letter?
0705 cycle date
570- 3/04
971- 311
I hope my review doesn’t take the full 60 days. No changes today. Maybe tomorrow 🙏
Is the date next to the 846 date on the transcripts the actual DDD? WMR still says 1 bar so just wondering if I will see approved this weekend with a Wed date.
Mass updates on transcripts in 16 hrs. Hoping we all get updated. Best of Luck everybody!!!
@Tracy H: not yet it was just submitted for processing
We have received your tax return and it is being processed.
Please Note: For refund information, please continue to check here, or visit the Refunds page on IRS.gov. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day.
@Denise N: Does your message show tax topic 152 or just the is being processed message?
@Rainy14: use your tax advocate
@Morris: agreed
I just got off the phone doing a second verification which was nerve wrecking because she asked for information I didn’t have with me I only brought the w2 I filed and the verification letter 👀 anywho she got me verified and wmr has changed to we have received your refund and it is being processed🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾
Here’s to all the early filers still waiting! I am hoping for some positive movement tonight.!
Morning all! Fingers crossed we see some movement on transcripts in the morning. This has been one of the worst years I’ve seen for id verifies and reviews. Thankfully, not as many audits, which can take 6 months to a year to resolve.