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 āqueueā 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.
Is the WMR site down for anyone else??
We should be able to login today. šš
@Harry a: system is down. I donāt think it updated since yesterday
One try this morning and it said too many attempts they have no idea what they are doing
@Eddleman23: same here
@Shelleybeansss: yesss I can get into my transcripts but that’s it… lol and there is no change there. Maybe we crashed the WMR šš it’s weird. I’m not getting my hopes up because my transcripts still are the same š but I’ll hope a little š
@Shelleybeansss: WMR is down for me also and it’s after 9am here!
Maybe we will ALL update today with GREAT NEWSS!š¤Ŗš¤Ŗš¤š¤
Kept your fingers crossed!
WMR is down for me and it’s after 9am here!
WHAT’S GOING ON?????šš
@Eddleman23: right. The app is telling me too many attempts when I tried once, lol. The 8008291040 line is telling me it canāt find me and the 8008291954 line is telling me it is unavailable š killin me this morning
@Shelleybeansss: yeah I cannot get into it either! And now it’s telling me try again tomorrow lol I’m like no you never showed me today! Lord this is all so wild.
Whereās my refund appears to be down, as well as the automated phone line. Hopefully there will be some sort of positive news when itās back up. Fingers crossed for all of us still waiting
144 days no changes ,i have congress and my senator involved and still see nothing , submitted story to news no response,i think its a gov stall they out of money like us
@Shelleybeansss: me to lol I need all my lil coins.This is the longest I ever had to wait n i was looking for a little relief after my 120 days ended but nope nothing but lies but I’m praying for us all šš¼š
@Adkins, TX: You will update overnight, to ight. Check your WMR after 7am tomorrow!ā„ļøā„ļø
@Dj: Iām definitely wondering what the level of interest to expect. I would like to know, make sure itās not short changed š we were told returns are rarely held past 6 months unless itās an audit, but mines been over 5, and Iām starting to wonder š I just want my money. Iām tired and passed broke 3 months ago
Another week of nothing
@Hottttt: Thanks for saying that because I was calling back Monday @meow: it’s sadddd how they really sit there n lie but I’ma stop calling for now @shelleybeanss: not sure š¤£ but guess what !!! That’s them n more interest added for me wen it does release
āš¼
Honestly not sure how anyone can even get thru to someone now anyway. All three numbers that used to be able to get thru to a rep are now fully automated and state transferring to a rep is no longer an option
lol people that donāt want you to call must work there š
@Dj: STOP calling them and you will eventually update!
I filed the same day as you and just updated overnight!
@meow: Please STOP calling and let your return update on its own!
@Dj:oh yea ive been lied to several times by the reps and 3 different people supposed to be looking up my info but they come back and pretend they cant hear me. its pathetic
Once again the reps has to be lying to me I was told last week everything is done and just wait for wmr to update I been hearing the same the over and over for weeks but haven’t received a date yet š I’m over it
Filed 1/29 only thing changed was as of date 07/01 and changed back to 3/4 the next day
After months of waiting, I finally updated on WMR!š¤š¤š¤
I filed Jan 29th and had been stuck on *still being processed* since today when it updated to *it is being processed*.
I had to verify my Identity online last week or two.
Don’t give up hope,l! It’s on the WAYYYY!šŖšŖ
Oh yeah, I never called the IRS…
@Don’t give up!: congratulations unfortunately no update for me
@Harry a:
I had a family member in legal profession inquire for me.
I donāt skip my place in line but was told to go to irs page, log in and opt out of using irs activated pin .
I have never used pin before or applied for one but sure enough I scrolled down the main page and there was my PIN number and stated I had to use it for tax return.
It did give me an opt out option, which to my understanding not everyone has the opt out option.
So Iāll give it a try and hurry up and wait .
Good luck to you !
@Don’t give up!: congrats!!
I finally updated!!! YEAHHHHHHHHH!!š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤š¤
@Jenjen: typically itās the day the irs expects to finish your return. But not a guarantee it will be. Itās an arbitrary date set typically 21 days from the date you filed/amended by the computer. Keep watch for any codes that may pop up. Especially that beautiful 846 :) hopefully you are finished and see that soon :)
@shelleybeanss:
It is my Processing date I do have direct deposit with Cash app.
It’s my processing date
@Jenjen: youāre weekly ending in 05 like that. Is it the processing date or as of date?
What does my cycle code 20242205 mean with a date of 6-17-2024??
Between the whole page pop ups midway thru typing and the like button in the most ridiculous spot ever, my adhd rage is gettin testy today š already beyond aggravated with now 5 months of waiting. The little things just make it š„
@It’s coming: I hate how the thumb is next to the report button I hit it by accident sorry. Well this morning no change still as of date April 29th.