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.
I’m ALREADY locked outta WMR for the day … exceeded the amount of times smh .. the phone line was updated it’s voice response now .
@MSRazorbackPhD: How are you happy to see you again this year hope all is well for you
@MSRazorbackPhD: anytime :P
@ErisedMai: Ok then! Thanks fir responding😀
@Dentonj88: same for you!
@MSRazorbackPhD: I’ve been lurking here in the background for a long time. (:
@ErisedMai: ill keep all the vibes for smooth sailing headin your way.
@ErisedMai: Been here since nearly the beginning. Who are you🙃
@Dentonj88: relatable, but i’m held by path so i’ll be waiting regardless. :P
@ErisedMai: oooohhhh…thank you for clarifying. That stressed me out. I need my money like….yesterday 😵💫😆
@Dentonj88: Those are dates for people held by path, if you aren’t held under path it could be before then.
@Sheila_33: I’m happy your doing well ,I’m doing great thanks Sheila,have you noticed the transcripts change on IRS site and do you think the pattern for transcripts are the same
I see folks talking about 2/21 and 2/26…. if our refund gets accepted into a test batch and we have a no-holds bank, it can be before that, correct?
@Ashes1523: it does..thank you!!
@Walter DOG: Well, hello Walter. Wondered when you were gonna grace us with your appearance. How have you been? All is well here.
Top of the Afternoon,What’s up Sheila hope your family is doing well ,I noticed IRS changed up the transcripts site hope the pattern is still the same with the transcripts
@Dentonj88: i get the antsy feeling too. It has never taken more than a few hours for me to show on wmr and over 24 hours later they still can’t find me. Praying this is a smooth tax season for all of us.
@Sheila_33: true some banks will hold the funds until that 2/26 date . Show it pending then release it
I was hoping to see more acceptances starting this afternoon if it follows the pattern from previous years.
@NYkhidd: Definitely. I’ve been one of those lucky ones. But, the 846 is gonna have the 2/26 beside it and not everyone has a no holds bank.
@Sheila_33: no fee cards and people who paid up front will get deposits that same day 2/21 when the 846 drops around 4am est . Funds hit my account same day around 2pm . I have no fees it was free for me on TurboTax . If you paid fees with refund using SBTPG you will be waiting until the 26th
@Dentonj88: the Pending bubble will fill in when your return is accepted if that helps 😁
@Sheila_33: ill be happy as long as I can get it in a reasonable time frame and don’t have to deal with the identity verification madness from last year