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.
So Am I the only one who paid $50 for refund 5 days sooner with TT??? Anyone else??? How does that work if Im a Pather ?
Thanks
@Grayson84!!!: Without WMR updating yes, without transcripts updating no.
Submitted TT 1/24 @ 430P EST.
WMR 1/27 @ 9A EST no info – TT “in process”
WMR 1/27 @ 10:20A 1 bar – TT “in process”.
TT @ 1PM – “in process”. Checked CK app and advance had paid out 20 minutes before hand.
TT @ 4PM – “accepted”
Sorry If this was already asked and I missed it, but if you are weekly, is there a chance you can still get your refund prior to WMR and your transcript updating to reflect the DDD?
The last time I was weekly (like I am this year), I vaguely remember this happening to me.
Thanks!!!!
@TXBAMA: well dang! 1st time I’ve used TT in a while. Kinda regretting it though now lol. I’ve never had it taken this long. It’s ALWAYS been accepted in less than an hour!
@TXBAMA: 2 days after irs opened?
@Ineedmy$$now: Hi, last year it took 2 days for my return to be accepted. I filed with TT. That was the first time it ever took so long.
@Ineedmy$$now: yep. Well update us when something happens :)
@BostonPi103: Did this happen during the day today?
WMR 2nd Bar now, Direct Deposit date of 1/28!
@Kjammer09: I’ll just wait it out
@Mike Hunt: lo NO you didn’t bahaha
Hello everyone did anyone receive a letter stating Your Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) claim might be invalid?
@Ineedmy$$now: hurry, go file elsewhere since it hasn’t been accepted. Maybe TT is dropping ne ball. Go to another place that’s offering the advance. If it’s accepts soon after then they will just not accept from TT when and if it goes through
@Fe: I heard TT can take hours to update to what wmr reflects . Odd that it’s like that. Shouldn’t be
@Fettsy: lol gooooo you!
@*Queen*: I filed with TT and was accepted by IRS 3 hours ago and TT still saying pending as well.
@Ineedmy$$now: yep not sure what’s going on. Idk why every year I hear of so many TT horror stories and inconsistencies. I should have just filed JH but I said heck no to the amount they charge!
I got lucky and in test batch (first time ever). Filed on 1/17, refund 846 code for 1/29. Woot woot. Hoping others get lucky too!!
Man I’m looking at the Refund Cycle Chart and for PATH that thing says direct deposits start 2/24 lmao!!!!
SO messed up lol……I don’t even need to log back in for dang near another month!
@*Queen*: sammeeee
Filed on 1/24 thru TT. Still waiting on acceptance. All it shows is pending wtf
@Kjammer09: I’m done checking lol hopefully we get notified soon of us being accepted
@Ineedmy$$now: yeah I actually just checked by calling the IRS hotline and TT still hasn’t submitted my info. Wmr this morning said it couldn’t recognize my information. So I’m not sure what’s going on tbh. It’s always been so quick. I have gone to JH last few years & this year I was not doing that again! Now I’m questioning my decision just bc Ive heard how TT has a ton of issues
@Kjammer09: im unsure. I personally have never used Turbo Tax as they seem to have alot of issues. I also think that this year with their offer for people to file for free who have never used them will cause even more issues. I hope that your return is accepted soon and tax season goes smoothly.
@Walter DOG: yeah I already surpassed the login in attempts. I have never done that before but did today. It’s never taken this long to get accepted. Usually it’s within minutes. No matter who I file through. Thx for the info :)
@KDinAZ**: ok TurboTax is dropping the ball or something. Bc I filed this morning too and still haven’t been accepted. Have seen others too saying the same
@Kjammer09: you can login to your irs account and check refund status that way (wmr)
Congrats to everyone who got accepted today!!!! I know more acceptances are coming
@Kjammer09: this is crazy!
@Mary: so how do I get it to them if it was already accepted?
@Ineedmy$$now: I’m still waiting but filed this morning with TT. Selected the advance. The said I’m eligible for $500. We’ll see.havent filed with TT in few years. Heard some people have issues getting the advance if they already had a credit karma money account
Hi Everyone, back again this year. I filed this morning and was accepted within two hours. I used freetaxusa. Im a pather.
Anyone still waiting to be accepted?
@Chroniclurker29: Same here .
@TK They will not process your return without the 1095-A and the information held within.
@Chronicclurker29 I’ve had that message and was accepted the 22nd. Im sure its normal. Once its accepted the system checks everything and confirms or it would’ve kicked it back. Last year i put the wrong social for one of my dependents and it automatically kicked it back. Well be good. at least we are in the test batch .
Anyone on path and not get the path message….we’re still on “it is being processed” we were accepted 21st.
Happy opening day everyone!
Still not accepted
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