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.
1/13/2025 meant to say
@Sheila_33: only the as of date changed to 1/3/2025..the dates next to codes are all last years and same normal codes..only 2023 date changed
@Amuz 1234: Mines is the same. Account transcript blank for 2024 but 2023 as of date says January 13th 2025
@Amuz 1234: Are there any codes on that transcript that have that date beside them?
I asked a question earlier about only my account transcript showing up but it was blank, and thank you for the response …I also happened to look at my 2023 transcript and the as of date is January 13,2025…i don’t know if this changed recently as never looked before now..does that mean anything
Turbo tax states the IRS accepts returns by the end of Jan. however, some are already accepted. Why?
@Starchild1111: facts
@Ashleyrenae113: it can depend on it you set up a payment plan for the owed taxes. We owed one year and set up a payment plan. As long as we made our payments on time they didnt touch any of our following years refunds.
@Ashleyrenae113: Yes, they will keep what you owe and then send the rest if there is any left over.
I think I know the answer to this question but want to confirm- if I owe previous years (2023) will they keep my 2024 refund and apply to that?
With tax season upon us and things getting busier, you might consider making an account online with IRS to be able to view your tax account and transcripts. Transcripts are the best way to see your how your return is processing. Go to Irs.gov get transcripts and register for an account with IDme.
@Keishalove33: It’s possible they could see transcript updates Friday. :)
@VA757pather: (757) standUP !!!!!!!! ….. but yea TT played that game rejecting me for things they have access too lol but the accept email need to show up and that your entering in wrg info shouldn’t be in play cus its give folks panic measures and make us want to call the irs building a million times, not sure if they thought that developing thought out clear enough lol don’t tell folk they entering wrong info lol say NOT RECEIVED YET clr they make things more complicated than it has to be just causing panic, not a lot of working smarter not harder goin on over there I c its fin be a ride cus folk panicking who aren’t familiar with the madness n the IRS hood lol
@Sheila_33: Goodmorning Sheila is weekies going to update on transcripts this week às well I was accepted on January 17th and I’m a pathner thankyou.
@Shawnie: Thank you. 🙂
@Starchild1111: I’m in VA TOO ; I got accepted yesterday and my states were accepted as well ; hope everything goes thru for you !!
@Sheila_33: thank you YOU ARE A GOAT u been doing this for years thanks for your support
@2blessed: gm tell me about it !!! lol liek accept me like fr LIFE been LYFINNNN and yea even tho we work during the yr a lil lump can get us thru some stuff i aint lyin lol feeln like hustle n flow outchea n VA
@Keishalove33: Thank you 😊
@Keishalove33: I filed January 10th and was accepted January 17th
@Sheila_33: sorry the 17th not 15th
@Sheila_33: January 15th
@Shawnie: when did file and when was you accepted and congratulations on the codes.
IRS being stingy with acceptances and transcript updates. Hopefully, things will start moving today.
@VA757pather: Yes
@sheila_33
Ohhh nvm, I think I understand, you are saying that letter is available for all taxpayers if we want to send out to anyone to verify that taxes haven’t been done yet, right?
@sheila_33 I am not buying a house …and I didn’t request a letter… is this just normal for everyone who files ?