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.
@Mrs. P (not signed in): 03
@Monee: I’m hoping not I’m hoping we just got resequenced but if not could be I’d verify is what someone said but since so many got this message I’m hoping we have been resequenced fingers crossed
@Kjammer09: yes they will reject for that 1095 a insurance stuff and agi not being correct or even so much as a last name mis-spelling but because this tax season our acceptances are coming late ,i would just go off your transcripts once they fill in and the WMR or even the SBTG site for refund stat as well no need of calling the IRS lol or TT or SBTG etc (my opinion) my experience
@Mrs. P(not signed in): I’m thinking we possibly could see some dailies updating tonight.
Sorry do they update* not updated lol
Shelia do transcripts updated tonight for daily’s? I’m normally an 03 but trans is blank with as of 2/17/25
@John-Jaw: mines the same
@Ineedmy$$now: I was just thinking they don’t reject for stuff like insurance do they? I thought it was like spelling errors, AGI issues etc. I could be wrong. If it is wrong I wonder why it wouldn’t have popped up the 1st rejection. Bc wouldn’t it have said all of the errors?
@Mandie: Same for me except I filed on the 23rd. no record of return filed
@Ineedmy$$now: DUDE I just looked here. Your still waiting??? You said everything was double checked lol
I’m not actually laugh. It’s more like a damn moment that really sucks! Yeah the marketplace one is tricky. I hope it comes back quick for you now. Gzzz what a pain
@Tab: ❤️❤️ if you don’t mind me asking what was your cycle code on transcript?
@Jocelynn: thank you. I received my return in my bank account today about 2 PM. My DD day was Friday 1/31.
Anyone still waiting to be accepted? I fixed my return yesterday about 6:50pm EST and still nothing. I think the insurance part is wrong also but I didn’t have marketplace insurance or whatever it was so it may reject again today.. ughhhh
Another year.
As of: 2/10
Populated transcripts, all good codes already showing, and now just waiting for Path to lift.
@JustAshe: how do you get these results what website are you using ?
@TK They will send you a letter and you can send the forms to a number on the letter.
NY state accepted 2 hours ago .. I usually get my state before federal .. NY state returns be like a “mini” federal taxes real high in NY . They don’t hold for PATH got EIC wit state also
@Stephennotsignedin: I have never received the alert before. I just remember in the past my bar and everything would disappear, but I did have the still processing message or one similar to it. I will keep an eye out for any verification alerts.
Today I checked my transcripts and now I see 2024 for all but blank and has as of date 2/15/2025. What does this mean? Is this good or bad?
@Justin02555:
@Justin02555:
not yet
only ones that are showing 2024 are
Wage & Income Transcripts
Return Transcripts which is showing the 2024 Verification of Non-Filing Letter
@Rue20: I’m in CA. Filed 01/10. Accepted 01/17. (Both Fed and State) Already received my federal return in my bank account. State went from – can’t find me on 01/24 to Issued on 01.25 at 603am. I have not received the state deposit yet. Not Path and FreeTax. Fees paid upfront.
If I’m on PATH, when should
I see an update with transcripts?
Has anyone from California gotten their state refund yet??
@Monee: last year when I had to id verify it told me on my IRS account and on wmr but I don’t remember is it I got the same msg I got now then updated to the verify msg I don’t know the timeframe in-between them
@JustAshe: Yes. I’ve been a weekly for years so maybe we wait until Friday to check again? I was accepted on 1/22
State forums won’t let me post for some reason, but wanted to let any other New Yorkers know state was accepted this morning
I wish federal came as fast as state for EIC folk🥹 just got state back for Indiana
@Monee: ok thanks for the information
@Nikki_1220: Oh ok. I figured it might because I have seen so many people with this message in the past saying it was about their wages. But if you have already experienced getting a refund while not showing on ssa, I will take your word for it. Do you think it could be id verify?
@Stephennotsignedin: ssa didn’t start accepting w2’s until January 15.
@Nikki_1220: I just check only from one employer but the ssa doesn’t have nothing to do with this problem I don’t think because my ssa never populated and I still got my refund I remember in 2014 when this started it was a topic but was later short lived because I realized that my refund always came and I didn’t populate on ssa just my opinion
@Monee: my W2 was ready from my employer in Jan 9th I believe so I’m past that 2 week do you think I should ask my employer to resubmit my w2
@Stephennotsignedin: No, every 2 weeks in general.
Anyone still waiting to be accepted? I fixed my return yesterday about 6:50pm EST and still nothing. I think the insurance part is wrong also but I didn’t have marketplace insurance or whatever it was so it may reject again today.. ughhhh idk
@Mandie: Mine is the same, but I’m a weekly. Are you?
@Monee: I got accepted by IRS the 17th so 2 weeks from them is when I should see my W2 wages I’m SSA is that what you mean.