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.
@Monee: no I never received a refund
I submitted mine on Jan 13th and was rejected on the 17th for form 1095-A so I resubmitted for my daughter and it was accepted a few minutes later. I just received my mail today and I have a 1095-A form as well. Will this cause a red flag or do I sit back and see if I’m approved and just amend it?
Welllppppp
I’m tired of checking lol
@Amariex3: yes hi O filed on 1-20 and still nothing for me, in the past I always got accepted 1-2 days later…SMH🙂↔️
@Amariex3: I just checked WMR. Finally one bar!
Hi, I’m back!!! Happy 2025!!!
Filed 1/15 TT and still not accepted. Anyone else?
@Golly3112: that’s ok I appreciate you responding. No spouse here. I’ve never maxed out before. I haven’t seen one person say that they have been accepted today after they filed today as well. Usually right after I file I’m accepted within minutes.
@Kjammer09: My WMR says Return Received and I have the first bar. TT says pending. I didn’t apply for the advance, so I can’t help on that part, sorry! If you file jointly, you can check WMR with your spouse’s info if you max out your info.
@Confused in Ohio: I live in Ohio but have no idea
@Needmypaper: TT still shows pending on your federal? What about for your state? I’ve seen some people saying that their state is past the processing or pending State whatever the first bar is but their Federal has not updated. What about you and when did you file
OK just got the TT advance so the I r s just accepted my return filed 1/24
Any one from Ohio know when the state updates I’ve had the will update 1-2 business days message since last Wednesday
@Needmypapers: that’s awesome! Has your TurboTax updated yet to accepted? Also has anybody state tax updated on TurboTax or is it still showing pending too like federal?
Still pending lol
@Kels: I was accepted on the 24th, so since you’re a weekly…you will be in the same boat as me. The cutoff date for weeklies getting processed is Tuesday of each week, so since we missed it last week we probably won’t begin processing until this week. If you aren’t on PATH and you get processed this week, you might have a DDD for next week. I’ll have to wait until PATH is lifted on the 15th, but if you don’t have to…it might be as soon as next week for you 😊
@Eager: update us when you do. did you submit taxes today?
@Eager: advance just hit my account those who see info on wmr it’s coming
@Eager: advance just hit my account those who see info on wmr it’s coming
@Golly3112: well apparently it only lets you check a few times before it doesn’t allow you to check anymore until the next day. Surprised because used to be able to check a lot. I think I only checked like three times lol. From what I understand sometimes TurboTax takes hours to update after wmr does. So you’re saying that your wmr says accepted? And you submitted it this morning? Update here and let us know if you got the advance etc or how long it took. This is my first year applying for it.
Wmr now has 1 bar but no advance yet
Still pending
@Golly3112: same here still pending but it’s has it now
@Kjammer09: I just checked WMR and have one bar, (it said info doesn’t match when I checked about an hour ago) but still showing as pending on TT. I’m guessing I got accepted within the past hour or less and it just hasn’t updated on TT yet.
@BMOREMOMOF3: last year I got EIC and didn’t wait till February. Had mine a week after filing
@BMOREMOMOF3: I did. Do you think we’ll actually get it early. I have PATH credits. You?
@James145: awesome! Good news!!
@Golly3112: are you showing 1 bar on wmr? Or TT? Id be surprised if it’s already 1 bar on wmr. I filed today like you and it’s showing my info does not match on wmr
Turbo tax has this new 5 days early option….I chose it for an extra $25. Anyone else doing it?
@Amylikesue77: yes. No matter the amount, by law they will have to hold it
UPDATE: Finally got accepted! Filed 1/24 accepted just now 1/27 Turbo Tax. Was a little worried since I usually get accepted within hours. I’m a pather so I know it won’t be until late February before I get a DDD.
Still waiting lol
I filed my taxes with no children, was eligible for a $9.00 EIC credit so now will I have to wait till Feb for my refund???
If I was accepted as part of the test batch on the 24th, could I possibly get my refund this week ?
@Felice: I’d give it until the end of the week and if no updates, contact TT. Not everyone gets in the test batch and since today is opening day, then there’s a chance you’ll see something.
@Kjammer09: Mine hasn’t been accepted either, I filed around 8:30am CST, but I remember last year I didn’t get accepted until hours later. I think it’s just a lot on opening day so they’re slower.
@Brownsuga: I’m in CA and I filed with FreeTax on 01/11/2025. My state was accepted on 01/17/2025. I didn’t show received on WMR until 01/24/2025. On 01/25 my WMR updated to issued. Has not hit my bank though yet.
@Golly3112: I filed this morning with TT too. Still hasn’t updated and when I try to plug in my info on wmr it says it doesn’t recognize my info. Someone else said wmr can take 24 hours. I’ve never had it taken even 2 hours lol but they just opened so I get it. I’ve also never submitted my taxes literally 30 minutes before 9am which 9am is the time they opened
@Kjammer09: yes I did. Filed on Friday
igotmyrefund.com (IGMR) is not affiliated with any government agencies. The information we provide is purely speculative. We derive our information from personal experiences and comments from users. We attempt to maintain the most relevant and accurate information available. However, we are neither responsible for false information nor the timeliness of refund status and delivery. DO NOT post the amount of your refund, account numbers or social security number. By commenting you agree that IGMR cannot be held liable for what others may do with your information. We allow comments subject to our sole discretion. If your comment is held for moderation please read How We Moderate Comments HWMC. The links on our site are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking a link, we may make a small amount of money to support the cost of maintaining and improving the site. This website is owned and independently operated apart from advertisers and is only an affiliate to the companies displayed in ads.
Privacy Overview