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.
@Waiting…: filed 2/01 on day 178 now
@harrya: what date did u File and How many days did u wait Total?
@harrya Congratulations 🎊 🎉👏
@Eddleman23: omg 😳
@Jacky_FL not logged in: just a letter from my tax advocate nothing special.. oct 16 worst case is what it says 😭😭😭😭😭
@shelleybeanss: Thanks we will see
@Jacky_FL not logged in: I’ll let you know! I’m hoping it’s a little good news I doubt it’s a check since I don’t have an 846 code yet but ya never know lol
@harrya: congrats!!! This gives me hope!
@Leelee91: not on wmr dont know what time just checked trans 1 o clock
@harrya: what time did it show up
@harrya: congrats!!! Happy to see someone see some good news today
@harrya: Congratulations 🎉
My friends just got ddd 7/31 with interest il believe it when the green is in my hand, good luck to all dont give up i will still be on daily
@EDDLEMAN23: just a darn letter, no check? I’m waiting to hear from you what the letter says
After almost 6 months I am just now getting a letter in the mail wtf….
@shelleybeanss:
In this thread of msgs a few months back. i wrote that one day i went to sign in to IRS and it advised me to change my password as it may have been compromised
In a data leak
I have seen a lot of stupidity in my life but this last 6 months of irs bs they get the gold medal
@Leeloo: it really is starting to feel like the updates to the system lost some of our information. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a year or two there’s a revelation that the system was compromised causing these significant issues
Letter #2
I need to call and verify everything on tax return and last years return over the phone….
Oh ok.
???????
Then it will take up to 9 wks after verifying .
Simple 1040
Semi retired
Small refund
Same address for over 35 yrs.
Just shaking my head… I have no more words…
@Cynderelly: you can try to call but I can’t guarantee they have any answers. My 570 popped up in March and still no resolution. And every 60 day notice is actually 120 days.
I’ve received a 507 on 05/13/2024 and it says account pending what’s does that mean cuz it’s been 70 days now and I’ve heard nothing from them what can I do??
@Jacky_FL: gm :) it definitely isn’t a celebration :( it’s all absurd.
@shelleybeanss: GM friend 😊!
You+I=6 months IRS mess since acceptance. This is not a celebratory anniversary
🤬
Shame on you ‘government’ ppl – you get paid wayy too much for doing nothing.
day 176 no changes congress now has my case 24 days
@Jimjoness: I don’t see any change but have noticed any changes that have taken place since about May tend to be mid or late day. I don’t think they’re updating overnight anymore. But I could be wrong
Has anyone updated?
day 175 wmr says to many attempts they really updated their system well
day 174 no changes
Day 123455532579753666 and still don’t know what’s going on!!
Do I Frank Fisher truly have a refund from the IRS.
In regards to the 60 days listed on all their letters I was told they all should state 120 days. I don’t know why they don’t just update the template for the letters if that’s the case. But I was informed by a few agents and the congressman office, the 60 actually means 120 :/
Days 164 as I was told I received another 60day letter that ends June 7 that should end in Sept but really it ends in August 🤦🏼♀️ I never received another letter dont know why they have a different lie each call
day 173 and transcripts are unavailable
Day 183 still nothing. Wtf
day 172 no changes