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.
Just an update: Not Path. Filed Freetax 01/10/2025 Accepted 01/17/2025. Yesterday, 01/23/2025, transcripts did not show 2024 at all for account transcripts. This morning, 01/24/2025, 846 with a DDD of 01/29/2025. Like @Mike, this is the fastest I have ever had an 846. I hope a speedy tax season to everyone!
Blank account transcript as of date 2/10/25 .. why is everybody getting the same thing . We must of got recycled to next Friday . Guess I will check back Next week . It’s a weekly waiting game
@Sheila_33: Top of the morning my friend ,I see someone claiming on the Facebook page that their transcript was blank when first available like many are now but later in the day filled out with codes and all well I have never seen that I always seen them fill out the next cycle once they drop their done for this cycle have you known them to fill out the same day
Filed 1/13
Accepted 1/17
Weekly Pather
Can see codes 150,806,766 the refund im supposed to get.
Hello, im just now coming in, I may have missed a lot but are they still accepting returns or will they start back Monday? Thanks
Checked this morning and My 24 transcript is available but blank. no cycle code or anything but does have an As Of Date 02 10 2025. is this normal?
@Harris: Two days ago for me.
Updated to path message this morning.
@Mommy_3: Yes
Anyone else have one bar on WMR & the PATH message?
@Sheila_33: Got it. Thanks!
@Mommy_3: That’s the date the system places to make sure you process by. If you filed path credits, then that return, including that date, is frozen until the freeze lifts Feb.15th.
So checked transcripts this morning.
Account Trans says as of date 2/10.
Other transcript is blank. What does the 2/10 mean??? WMR 1 bar with PATH message.
@Dentonj88: Its happening to quite a few people and we had the similar happening last year. Most likely just recycled and will need to cycle thru and place the codes next week. 05’s can be daily and weekly.
Mornin all!! Got a question – the option to click my 2024 transcript showed up today (previously, 2024 wasn’t even there). When I click on it though and scroll to the bottom, it’s still saying no return filed.. no cycle codes or anything yet. Is this pretty normal? Any significance of it happening on a Friday (ie, does this mean I’m a weekly)?
Filed 1/16, accepted TT 1/17
@Monee: Such a sad and lonely club😔😮💨
@MSRazorbackPhD: i also have daily dreams. They won’t let me into their club.
@VA757pather: it’s fine. I didn’t take offense to anything you said. 2 years ago when it happened i had an error but they fixed it on their own. The other times I just had to cycle through again. This is my first year having my business as an scorp and doing a w2, so I’m just praying I did it right.
Not processed, which is normal for this time. Maybe later today?! If not…we 🤞🏽 for next Friday. Though I’d ❤ to finally be a daily tp, but alas, not so.
Top of the morning my peeps my transcripts are blank with no codes like some others and it’s nothing wrong my peeps mine and a lot of others did this last year and the next week mine finished populating so don’t worry !