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.
Hey guys, when is path lifted again?
@TaxDummy: did not pull transcripts and only show 2 bars still but have my refund in account this morning.
@Monee: no it still says the same. Mine didn’t change last year until after my transcript updated after I verified
@Stephennotsignedin: did your message ever change on wmr?
@Monee: I’ll keep u updated if I get a update tomorrow night into Friday. I verified last Friday so I’m hoping to see a update this Thur into Fri morning.
I have always been a weekly, just checked my transcript and I’m a daily but also a pather so I guess I have to wait all good codes waiting on 846, anyone have any update on NY state tax
Updated last Friday to blank transcripts- hope to be filled in Friday. I have no PATH credits
@shelleybeanss: hope not this year
@ErisedMai: you know what I had to call again 🤭… not sure how I misheard that. I’ll check again next week. I think I hung up before the year was said.
@Kyra: 800-304-3107
@Mrs. P(not signed in): what is the number she called?
Hi m!
Does anyone have 150 806 766 768
Or 150 766 768! There all good codes ..
I’m trying to figure why most years I have 806 but some years I don’t , only 150 766 768
Filed 1/18
Accepted 1/21
As of date 2/10
Processing date 2/17
@Honeybee82:
Hi so you have 150 806 766 768
Or 150 766 768! There all good codes ..
I’m trying to figure why most years I have 806 but some years I don’t ?
@Newyorkgirl: are your transcripts showing and did you see a 2nd bar on WMR?
@harrya: And? What does that have to do with me.
@Mrs. P(not signed in): That sounds like its from last year, the 22nd is a Saturday this year so it won’t be a direct deposit date.
I have a positive feeling about processing tomorrow. I think I’m going to see some movement this week. I didn’t have any last week. Congrats to everyone who got transcripts today and Goodluck to everyone processing tomorrow. This is our week yal
Filed online with TurboTax on 1/29, accepted same day and just received my direct deposit before IRS website went to 3 bars. No child care credit! The quickest I have ever received refund.
i noticed a big blank area before my we are processing…. msg could that be the new PATH screen? because im used to seeing my bars dissapear and a longer msg pops up anyone in the same boat PATher awaiting for path msg i still have 1 bar and reg tt152(which i know my DD) way of receiving my pmnt
Officially walking the PATH…
I will try not to stress myself out this year. I will push the thought of taxes out of my mind until we are closer to the day that the PATH lifts.
I have finally decided to sit down long enough to file. Just transmitted them and currently waiting for acceptance.
I filed 1/31/25, accepted the same day. I am Path and I paid fees upfront with TurboTax.
Over night my account transcript only shows as of February 24,2025 and then no tax return filed at the bottom. No other transcripts are available.
My cycle code has ended in 01 the last several years.
Last year I filed on February 1st and received my deposit on the 16th.
@harrya: this! End of August is when I finally saw my refund with the pathetic amount of interest they added!
Know* ….. I can’t spell this morning so I guess I’ll go ahead and get to St Jude❤️
More than likely 2/21 cause we no money don’t deposit on weekends 😩
Morning folks!! So I just called the offset line for my sister who owes the state and they’ve already taken the payment but it’s dated for 2/22. She’s on path so I’m pretty sure that’s when her ddd will be.
@naughtyrockets: calm down last year got mine in aug.
Still no update on my transcripts. I must be a weekly. I hope I get movement this week. I called on Monday and at that time they said I did not need to ID Verify. I used the IP Pin anyway. So I know of nothing else holding me up. I’m just used to it being quick. It hasn’t even been the 3 weeks yet. I need to calm down!
i meant to add that my transcripts did not update overnight from filing this past monday the 3rd so i will probably see them in the thursday overnight update
i filed my mom’s taxes on the 31st and her transcripts updated today with a DDD of 2/10. she is cycle code 20250603