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.
@NYkhidd: what does it mean? Is it any indication of when our deposit day is?
@Rebs: same here 2025 0505 .. I was 2024 0505 last year lol
Cycle code 2025 0505 .. I was 2024 0505 last year lol . I can see the return transcript the account wit the codes hasn’t populated yet . You can see the cycle code on the return transcript .
Weekly here!
I just updated with a cycle code of 20250505, I can’t remember what all the 5s mean 😭
05’er here.. i now have a record of account transcript and a return transcript for 2024- something is happening! 🎉
All 4 of my 2024 transcripts are showing … “non filling disappeared” transcript still showing blank . Something is updating as of date still 2/10/25
I spoke too soon. Just checked. Return transcript with from Non Filer and is currently on file…..so they are updating. 😁
No update here in Texas as of yet. Weeklies we got all day. So be patient, things will start rolling! 😀
no update
still waiting
No update for me yet (I’m a weekly)
@ChrissC: not yet
Anyone update yet??
Last night then daily trans was updating by now want they
Being a weekly and path. I have path message in my wmr. Probably no 846 for a about 3 weeks?
@Mbry0625: me neither! And I use netspend so I usually get the $ the same day I get the 846. I’m wishing you good luck and all the 846 fairy dust!
Hello everyone,
I’m 05 also I filed 1/28/25. No credits this year yay me. Hopefully it will go fast.
@Mommyof8: not necessarily, I got my refund in 5 days last year with the credits for school
@Golly3112: right I don’t have the credits neither so I’d get mine probably tomorrow lol
@Ineedmy$$now: I hope it gets accepted this time.
I have to wait on the IRS to reject my return again. I hope it doesn’t take 72 hours how it did before with TT . So frustrated
@Mbry0625: fingers crossed! I hadn’t paid attention to the address when I looked at transcripts a couple days ago, but I got excited when I noticed my new address today!
@Golly3112: hey me too lol
@CrimsonPhoenyx: okay cool thanks seems like this year everything is going fast I have an as of date of 2/17/25 I barley filed Monday!
@Erikkka: I would say Thursday. Originally it was different, but my friend who is a weekly ‘s number is 05 and updates on only fridays.
I have to wait on the IRS to reject my return again. I hope it doesn’t take 72 hours how it did before with TT .
If my cycle ends with 04 what day will I update?
@Introvert_taxtime: Thank you!!
Hi all! Filed & accepted on 1/27. Had a change of address last year. New address is showing on my 2023 account transcript. Do yall think that means I’m moving along? I’m a weekly so I didn’t expect any updates until next week, but wondering if I could possibly see an update tomorrow?