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.
Still no changes. So frustrating.
@Denise N: well my mailman runs in the afternoons close to end of day so as soon as he delivers I will be getting this ID Verify handle! Since we got the letters today I would hope we cycle into the system Tuesday! I’m tired of seeing “Still being processed” and no return on file for transcripts!!! Hope your friyah is well besides the irs mayhem!
@Haleyw25: there is a send document area at the very bottom of the irs site ! Just scroll down and you’ll see it.
@Starr: where did you have to turn in documents? Mine still says the same thing. Idk if I should go ahead a turn In documents or what to do
I filed and accepted 1/29. Two weeks later my wmr went from being processed to still being processed. I found out that I needed to verify. I finally got my letter and verified last Thursday on the phone. Yesterday my wmr went from still being processed to being processed. Now this morning I woke up to a 846 on my transcript. This has been a lo g tax season for me. Good luck to everybody who is still waiting.
Well onward to another week of waiting. No movement of anything. Still sitting at processing 3/4 and as of 4/1
@StephTX:@Denise N: I had a scheduled c as a w2 . So I sent in that mistake corrected. I changed my 1040 and fixed the problem. Then I sent in my corrected 1040 with the corrected schedule c and no w2!
Still no changes, just more pissed off than I was last week smh. 570/971, processing date still 3/4, and as of date still 3/11.
@MzB81: Mines the same name change updated today and my as of went to 4/8 too. I’m just going to stop checking and let it be. Very frustrating
Good morning! I’m still here with yall lurking them transcripts! Test batch filer 1/17. I got 570 and was stuck so I looked over transcript and found errors. Also had 401k form I forgot to include. Amended 3/9 and WM Amended R updated today to show they have received and being processed. I have resolved to accept this is gonna be a wait but I will still check every couple days!
This is BS…..that is all!!!
I’m so frustrated. I IDV in person this week 3 no update but date changed from 4/1 to 4/8. My last name updated last week. Like really what is going on?
no changes im on day 51 since accepted
@demn: Your transcript updated ?
@Vanessa e:No
Was the extra earned income get approved?
Finally DDD of 3/27
@LostNthesauce: same here I can’t wait to get home after work
@Starr: what did you send them
My as of date pushed out again from 4/1 /4/8 wtf
@Starr: what did you have to amend?
Long time stalker and rare commenter here but I feel I know many of you just by how I follow many of the ones who return here year after years,learned a whole lot from this site over the years and I was a early filers who got in the test batch then got hooked by Id verify situation but tonight I finally see a ddd for the 27th. Hope others finally get theirs as well,and till next time,God speed.
Finally got a 846 with DD 3/27 after weeks with only 570 and 971 and never receiving a letter. 571 saying issue resolved. I did withdraw money from my 401k in November for hardship due to me being out of work for a month because of a surgery.
Who updated?
@GotaHeadache: and this was last week my ddd was 3/20
@GotaHeadache: yes I amended my return on Tuesday and Friday I got my 846 , but I had id verified 2 weeks before and I also sent documents in the the week before my 846 . They didn’t ask me for documents but I sent some any . … I hope that helps 🤞🏽🍀
@shelleybeanss: please update us with the great news after you rejoice and give Thanks. Thank you, Kindly 😊
@Starr: are you the lady that said she filed an amendment then seen movement?
Good luck everyone! Fingers crossed for you! ☺️