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.
I guess the IRS pages/apps just arenāt going to work today at all. š£ š
@Jacky_FL: they need to shut down. Disperse what everyone is owed and then shut down, defund and start over š
@shelleybeanss: Maybe they’re about to shut the whole operation down š¤£š¤£
If not: š¤š¼šš¼
IRS.gov now says āservice outage: January 6thā what in the actual hell?!
@Shell03: irs.gov is down too thanks to ID.me having issues. I usually try there when the WMR doesnāt work since thereās now a refund checker on the bottom of the main screen
I tried to log on and check wmr this morning and I got the dreaded I exceeded too many attemptsā¦after my first try ššš
@shelleybeanss: right!! I waited 5 months and all they needed was my W2. Unbelievable smh
@harrya: itās absurd to me that they canāt just send out a dam letter. Youād think the system would auto generate one if numbers donāt match what is entered or something. Insanity and infuriating
@shelleybeanss: Ihave had 3 letters never asking for nothing now my congressman and senator are involved now they needed my wifes w2 they had no record of it from employer what bs just trying to cover there ass
@Jennyb: it is incomprehensible to me that they donāt send out āwe need xxxā notices. No other business model would allow for such laziness and stupidity. How can someone know you need something if you never tell them?!? Insanity
@Shell03: that message will be the death of me. Iāve had that exact message on my WMR since mid March. They can take their āapologyā and choke on it š
Well I was a late filer hoping for a different outcome but I was not afforded that luxury eitherā¦. This is what I got now:
We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe. You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund. We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible.
@snowCake7514: Thank you thank ypuuuu so much for this number!!! I was able to speak to an agent finally and all this time they needed a copy of my W2 because my tax withheld didnāt match with what TurboTax had entered. I asked the agent like you guys donāt send letters or call anybody sheās like unfortunately we donāt because we keep trying to verify with your employer which my employer at the time so garbage they are so unwilling To help anybody that has worked for them so she told me I had to go on upload On their website and I was able to upload my W-2 there she said once they verify it, Iāll get my refund. I feel so much weight lifted off my shoulders now. Hopefully it doesnāt take long.