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.
@TXBAMA: ok thx I thought it was just me
@Monee: nope
@Monee: mine does not
@FlawdaGurl: same!!! I would say wait.. kinda scared to go somewhere else and file. It should be accept by tomorrow I would say call tt but there no help all they say is allow more time
@Turbo tax ?: same thing happened to me. I even tried creating a new account as some sugggested, but that didn’t work. After days of waiting, I just filed because it was stressing me out.. lol. My returns just got accepted
I just filed through TT and got accepted within 5 minutes. Unfortunately the refund advance was not an option so I’ll be waiting until the end of the month. Which is fine
Still waiting guys! I’m seeing people get accepted today so hopefully within the next few hours I get accepted: this is ridiculous
@Pink Beauty: what time did you file and what time did the irs receive it?
Anyone ever have to do injured spouse; if so, did it really take a long time to get your refund?
@Turbo tax ?: No it was hidden I had to select something the. It routed me to step 3 but before I started step three or summited it or anything I went back to step 2 DD options and it magically appeared .
Finally Got accepted with Turbo Tax Advance.. although I did call turbo Tax and tell them I called the irs and they haven’t received anything! Even tho I couldn’t get through to irs..so they are moving and things should be going through today and tomorrow for sure for 1/27 filers
Quick question for the ppl filing thru TT when filing at end did you get option for refund advance before you hit e file not giving me option prior so just wondering
Filed 01/24 accepted 01/27 state accepted 01/28 I’m a PATHer but I did a couple of things different this year: I paid my fees upfront (for my state return; federal was free to file. FreetaxUSA has been my go-to last few years.) instead of having them taken out of the return and I also used Chase for my direct deposit :\ Ready to see how this goes!
@FlawdaGurl: Same here
@FlawdaGurl: really? That seems like a long time. I filed today with TT and was accepted within 2 minutes and was able to see my information on IRS website
@MassageMama: Yup and your money is still going to go threw cross river bank instead of sbtpg when you log into Sbtpg it’s going to say account unavailable even though they refunded it’s still going to go through there and some people get there deposit late in the afternoon and some don’t.
@Brandi: I am in the same boat.
@FlawdaGurl: yes you can and I strongly recommend Free tax USA it’s free and IRS accepts them pretty quick
@All you need is love.: I did the 5 days but they refunded my money and said they couldn’t do the 5 days.
Filed 1/25 accepted 1/27 transcripts updated today all 4 show 2024 and have information. 846 2/4/2025, WMR still at 1 bar refund just posted to my credit union!!
@Ricki_Tavi: I’m still waiting to be accepted by irs I resubmitted on the 27th via TT
Filed with TT on January 22nd rejected on 27th due to EIC form I forgot to attach so I went in and fixed issue and resubmitted the same day now it’s just pending ever since on TT my question is since it’s still pending can I go on another site and resubmit my return and see if it gets accepted or just continue to wait through TT? If so will that mess me up? I usually file through my tax preparer but with all the outrageous fees i couldn’t afford to this year
@Jen: no it wasn’t an advance.
@Brandi: yes whoever is main on the return will be the one you want to access
Me and my husband file jointly.. claiming no children, when I pull my transcripts I am showing nothing yet for 2024, but since he is listed first on our return should we be pulling his transcripts instead? Filed and was accepted on 1/28
@Walter DOG:
True i used free tax usa this year and was accepted in 10 minutes.
No more TT for me. I only paid 14.99 for my state return and fed absolutely FREE..
Free tax usa going forward!!!
We won’t get a 846 code until after oath is lifted correct??? TIA
@JennyB: was it an advanced?
@woem: best way to find out is contact the IRS and speak with someone and they should be able to tell you
For everyone still waiting to be accepted by the IRS, I filed 1/29 via TT and was accepted by the IRS 1/29. Typically TT will send an email and text message confirming acceptance. However, I still have yet to receive any updates from TT. I thought it was odd so I just checked WMR and see the update.
@Dentonj88: no update for me either
Filed 1/25 accepted 1/27 transcripts updated today all 4 show 2024 and have information. 846 2/4/2025, WMR still at 1 bar