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.
We anticipate 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.
@meow: congrats!
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yay i feel like its christmas in june. transcripts finally got the 846 refund issued with interest 06/26/24. damm i hope this never happens again. i was originally supposed to get in february 7th.i sure had my doubts about getting this.
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@ShantayG: congrats!
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I just checked my account transcript and finally got a DDD for 6/24th. Filed 1/25 & Accepted 1/26th.
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day 140 this is unreal
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Got my refund today on my Chime card.
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@Starr: thank you for checking on me! See you next year 💖
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@shelleybeanss: of course it didnt lol, thankss
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@Taxtimesucks: it never passed the house
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How can I talk to someone live at IRS?
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Hi does anyone know if we are getting monthly ctc payments this year?
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Day 139 no answers
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@LeeLoo: How did you find out
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@Red Dawn: congratulations 🍾🎉!!!!! See you next year friend !!
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@Red Dawn Thanks just went back on the post and saw you updated too YAY!!!!
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@Mary: yay! Finally! I keep checking mine incase it’s a dream lol I got interest too
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@LeeLoo: for months I tried to be the devils advocate for them, but in all honesty, almost everyone I’ve seen with an issue this year used them. I’ve used them for 8 of the last 10 years. But this will definitely be my last year. I hope they go bankrupt after the fiasco of this tax season
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Well well well
Seems turbo tax didn’t ask for my assigned PIN number when I efiled.
I did have to use last years agi.
Sooooo ty TT
Now I get to refile with my pin.
I usually use HR block.. first and LAST time with TT
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Happy fathers day day 138 and nothing but i have 2 great kids irs cant change that
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@Harry a: mine finally got involved late April and said they sent half dozen requests to TAS with zero response. It’s crazy to me that they can’t get even an email response either.
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@shelleybeanss: my congressman told me 45 – 60 days before tas can look at mine
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@Mary: hopefully it gets in someone’s hands soon. Almost 5 months and no real answers for what is happening. I’m going berserk 😂 last I heard was I should hear something by 6/18 and if not to call back. I got my congressman involved but they said they have tried for over a month to reach the TAS office with no response.
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@Shelley My as of date never moved stayed on 3/18 until it updated today. I always understood that until it gets into someone’s “hands” the as of date will bounce around.
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