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.
@naughtyrockets: You can try calling 1-800-830-5084, it’s the ID verification hotline I would just say I think I need to ID verify is there anyway you can check on that for me… or something like that.
@ht1234: yes last friday. my bank does the early deposit
@HelloWalls: I do.
Hey all! Just wanted to share some information.
Filed- Jan. 19th
Accepted- Jan. 23rd
I’m a Pather. This morning I have completed transcripts. Expecting refund around the 17th.
Happy filing season. Hope all goes well for every single one of you :))
@WA State girl 22: the as of date is 2/10 and the 2/17 date says processing. I have no clue what those dates mean I asked that question earlier
Gonna try again.
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE DATE NEXT TO THE CYCLE CODE ACTUALLY MEAN ANYTHING?
@Confused in ohio: what does the date mean?
@HelloWalls sorry i lied i do have the 1st bar
@Jay: does the date mean anything?
Hello
Am I the only one waiting for my refund from last year and still on the first bar?
@Txmomof3girlsnotsignedin: No notices. I tried to do the online verification tool but it says there’s nothing for me to verify. I have called but don’t know what to select as I’ve not received any letters!
@HelloWalls: no my bars are gone with tax topic 152
@God is Great: my transcripts are all filled in with the date of 2-22 and I’m a pather. But my wmr still shows one bar and 152 topic code so yes mine are filled in
I apologize because I’m sure this has already been asked but. Does the date next to the cycle code on you filled transcripts mean anything???
@Confused in ohio: yea me too,it used to,guess not no more…but all normal I guess
@HelloWalls: I have the path message and the first bar filled in. I thought the bar disappeared when the path message came up
everyone with the path message on WMR,u also still have the bars,saying accepted ect ,right??
Im not going to check my transcripts or wmr again until Friday it’s just a waiting game for me know as of date Feb 17 but I’ll update before then I’m sure of it.
On transcripts which date should I look for because I see as of feb 10 and the 2nd date is feb 17
@Amuz1234: No input only thing I can figure out is there is so many that stay at 2-10 and so rest move out until 2-17 the next week but I’m still kinda boggled by that
@Mommy_3: i’m weekly and i must have updated sometime last week, wasn’t really checking since it’s still early but all my transcripts are done and i have 2/17 for my date
@wade123: as long as you have the regular received message with tax topic 152 your good their just behind
is the eitc by march 3rd or the funds will be released ON march 3rd?
@Beth: At least you know it’s not id verify year before last my transcripts popped up with 0 and I got still processing message and the next Friday I updated with good codes and path message so it can be just a delay message
@Walter DOG: Thank you. I tried that and it said that they are unable to provide assistance. I guess I’m just waiting. I just thought it was weird that my daughter got a DDD before I even got accepted.
@harrya: hey! 👋🏼 yes! We need a better year than last year! I can’t take 2 in a row like that