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.
@Walter DOG: Good afternoon my friend! So far my was rejected because I had to put in a IP pin number. I’ve done that on Saturday and I had to resubmit my return. Now I’m just waiting to see if I’m gonna be accepted. 🙏🏾
Top of the afternoon my peeps hope everyone is staying warm and getting your return accepted today!
Hello folks. Long time no see. Here we are for another year. Files with TT 01/13. Still waiting to be accepted.
@Sheila_33: cool. Thank you for the information. My brain always wants to mix up accepted and approved. I saw on TT where you can click e-file details and it tells ya when it was accepted (mine was 17th) but wmr is still just 1 bar for me
And H&R Block has returns being accepted via efile to the IRS
@MSRazorbackPhD: 😉🙂
@Dentonj88: Accepted by the IRS via efile.
@Sheila_33: Where? Lol
@Dentonj88: accepted first step. They’re not processed
@Sheila_33: like accepted-accepted or just the IRS saying they received it but they haven’t fully processed it?
We have reports of Turbo Tax returns being accepted by the IRS.
@Naybo: no I resubmitted on turbo tax because free tax wouldn’t even let me
@Mbry0625: did you do it on the same website
@Mbry0625: ok I will
@Rue20: if you have your Employer EIN but u didnt get that from me sources say :-)
@Naybo: ok keep me posted
@Mbry0625: I’m not sure but I’m going to ask, I’ve never seen this before
Not they now wana reject it cus of the 1095a form smh all i had to do was view the screen smh like they wreck your nerves and it dont be nec lol lets try this again shall we
@Mbry0625: I’m not sure but I’m going to ask