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.
@Wondering2025: Is there a local Irs office near you? If that’s your only option, it might be worth the trip to just go in person. The only other option I know of is to mail the return in because you don’t need the pin. If you did it in the next few days, and it being somewhat early in the season, it might only add a few weeks to see the refund.
@Confused in ohio: TT automatically produces a generic date of approx 21 days from filing/accepted. It’s rarely accurate. Path won’t lift before mid feb
@LWBOSS: Thankyou
Turbo Tax says estimated refund is 2/11/25 but I have CTC and EITC shouldn’t it be later after the 15th
@Walter DOG: Hey my friend! Normally I would do it myself, but this year I wanted to try something different. And now I’m kinda regretting it because I’m not even accepted yet. But I think this will be the last I do this.
@Keishalove33: I’m in Virginia
@Wondering2025: Thanks for the response! My tax preparer sent me a link to go onto ID me, and I was able to get my ip pin number from there. Now my return has been resubmitted on Saturday 1/18 and I’m waiting to see if they accept it. 🙏🏾
@2blessed: Hey my friend why you pay a tax preparer you know free tax USA is free and very easy the only thing is no advance but you save because it’s free just curious my friend
@Bobeatz: It’s going through my husband’s name, would he need to create (he might have one, I don’t remember) and somehow link the CK account to his TT for it to work? Or does it just give you the option to make one?
@Mike: Thank you for the response. I was sent a link from my tax preparer. And I was able to obtain my IP pin number. I then sent it back to the tax preparer and my return was resubmitted on Saturday 1/18. Now I’m just waiting to see if they accepted it 🙏🏾
Just got the email from TT state return was accepted. I’m in Indiana
@2blessed: You either have to wait for it to come in the mail, some on here can chime in if they have received it yet or not. If you do not get it in the next week or so, the only option is to paper file. You cannot get around it because the IRS will NOT give the pin over the phone anymore, or remail it. You get one shot at it unfortunately.
@2blessed: I was. I called and they told me that someone has to physically file to get a PIN, and it’s sent your address. They said they don’t send duplicates.
I don’t really know what to do
@MSRazorbackPhD: Okay, gotcha. Thank you!
@Mandie: if you go through TurboTax and have credit karma you can get it direct deposited as soon as the IRS accepts your taxes.. the amount varies but it can be up to 4000. I filed the 13th and my advance just hit for half of the amount of my refund
@Mandie: You’ll get a CK card in the mail, but you’ll get the digital one immediately! It’s simple, if offered, but you won’t know until it has been accepted.
My advance just hit
@TexansTaxesInTexas: Thank you! I filed the 16th so I’m still waiting. I think I’ve seen TT acceptances with members filing through 1/15 so far. Maybe tomorrow!
@VaGal07
1/8 TT with credits and advance thru CK.
Hello all!
I’m about to file and can see a few people here talking about advances and wanted some insight as I have never gone that route before but we’re in a bit of a bind this year so we need to do it.
How does it work, do you get it on a prepaid card or can you get it through DD? I also know I’ll qualify for EITC/CTC this year and those returns are usually not looked at until later so will that affect the ability to get the advance? Oh, and I’m filing with TT again this year so I don’t know how their process differs from other tax places. TIA
On the 15th
@TexansTaxesInTexas: Congrats! When did you file?