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.
Well my letter today is a 2644c and it says they sent me a letter previously about my 1040 for this year (never received any letter about that), and that they need additional time because they’re “waiting for my tax account information to be available in the computer system”. They make it sound like they never got my tax return from turbo tax. Yet all my transcripts are filled in. Such confusing misinformation
I’m starting to think contacting my local congressman is delaying my return more. 6 months is ridiculous. If there’s an issue why not just send a notice of what you need or what is incorrect so I can fix it or send what is needed. I’ll never understand why they’re so vague about everything.
Well I now have a 960 code on transcripts that says appointed representative what can I expect now!!! I’m so irritated.
@Adkins, TX: I believe when you amend there’s a box to check for requesting direct deposit and if that wasn’t checked it will be a paper check
Question will my amended return refund be a paper check? I ask as i see some forums say it will be direct deposited versus others saying it will be a paper check mailed. Thank you all in advance!
It just came back up. I have no changes but it is back up
TODAY IS FRIDAY why would the site be down on a FRIDAY which is a major update I’m irritated looks like I’m gonna be aggravating them later today..
@shelleybeanss: Got my refund already but I got something in the mail coming
day 171 and all is down
Well IRS site down but I do see yet ANOTHER letter in my informed delivery for today. This will be my 4th letter. This weekend is 6 months since filing ;(
The site is down again. It’s been 182 days no updates. When I called they said up to 180 days. I pray I get the money this upcoming week. The kids are about to go back to school and my birthday is in August. Good luck everyone.
OAN Hopefully this Shitty System DOES WHAT it need to DO I’ll be back next WEEK w a UPDATE IF I have 1; oh also had a Advocate assigned 2 weeks ago nobody called me back YET Boohoo GoodLuck to Everyone Else 140 days IN YIKES!!!!!
@shelleybeanss: Yeah I’m not sure think it’s a Generic Computer gen Letter Ive Called and Spoken with someone weeks prior and she told Me Everything looked Good so hopefully this 3rd 2644c letter is the LAST and next I’ll have a DDD soon…..WISHFUL Thinking🤯 verified Last YR online they didn’t ask me for anything extra this YR but 6 Months of my TIME 😂😂
I got accepted feb24,2024,I verified in person june 18,2024,she said they flipped my direct deposit to a paper check,my wmr updated 2 weeks later from still being processed to being processed it’s been 4 weeks since I verified, I called they said everything was good on their end it was pending
Weird af … I did my 2022 amended return well over 16 months ago got a random check from the IRS with interest for about 2,400 days BEFORE my bday .. I also have an amended return from this year also . Looks like they might be speeding up with amended returns finally . Got my 2023 return back in February after path lifted
@F.cktheIRS: oof! I’m sorry. I feel this frustration. I wonder if they mean the info they’ve entered or the info from w2s / 1099s. I had seen many stories of ADP and others not sending in the correct w2 info for people this year; and add to that the incompetence of companies like turbo tax and the ill-prepped IRS ;(
2/29 Filer received my 3rd letter dated 7/17 days they are waiting on my info to be available in the system allow another 60 days 😭🤦🏽♀️ 140 days IN!
@Denise: 👋🏼 📬 💰 ?
It’s all so insane and unnecessary. I have until the beginning of September to pay the advance I got when I filed my taxes. I don’t have it and not sure what the expect me to do if the irs isn’t done within the next 6 weeks
day 170 lets look at the time frame, accepted 2/01, 21 days to process then 60 day notice, thats 81 days, then a 60 day notice, thats 141 days then sent papers to congressman for irs to review that was 17 days ago thats 158 days and counting very sad