When can I file my taxes to get my refund before my Japan trip?

General
1

I’m planning a trip to Japan at the end of February and was wondering when the earliest time to file taxes for 2025 might be. I know the IRS hasn’t released an official date yet, but does anyone have an idea? I’m hoping to use my refund for rent and other bills in March. Thanks in advance for your advice!

2

You might want to adjust your withholding in early January so you’re not relying on a refund. The goal is to get as close to $0 owed or refunded as possible.

3

Beryl said:
You might want to adjust your withholding in early January so you’re not relying on a refund. The goal is to get as close to $0 owed or refunded as possible.

I’m definitely getting a refund—I only make $21 an hour lol.

4

@Darian
You’re probably just getting back taxes you’ve already paid. If you adjust your withholdings, you’ll have more money in your paycheck throughout the year instead of waiting for a refund.

5

@Darian
Your income doesn’t really matter here. A refund just means you overpaid taxes during the year. Adjusting your W4 can help you avoid giving the government an interest-free loan.

6

@Darian
It’s about how much you withhold, not how much you earn.

7

You file a return to get a refund. Last year, e-filing opened around January 29th, but they sometimes process early returns to test the system. Refunds can be delayed, so I wouldn’t count on having it before your trip.

8

@Josie
Totally makes sense. I’m not depending on it entirely, but a little extra money for the trip would be a bonus lol.

9

You can usually e-file from mid to late January. If you mail your return, it takes longer to process.

10

Foster said:
You can usually e-file from mid to late January. If you mail your return, it takes longer to process.

I’ve always e-filed, but I honestly can’t remember when my refund came last year.

11

@Darian
Just a quick correction: you file a return (Form 1040) and get a refund, not a return.

12

Beryl said:
@Darian
Just a quick correction: you file a return (Form 1040) and get a refund, not a return.

Yeah, that’s what I meant lol.

13

@Darian
You could check your bank statements to see when it was deposited.

14

Skyler said:
@Darian
You could check your bank statements to see when it was deposited.

I switched to a credit union a few months ago and closed my old bank account, so I can’t check that.

15

@Darian
You can pull an account transcript from irs.gov to see. My guess is if you file early, you’ll get your refund by mid to late February.

16

Foster said:
@Darian
You can pull an account transcript from irs.gov to see. My guess is if you file early, you’ll get your refund by mid to late February.

Good to know, thank you! I was worried there might be delays, but this gives me some peace of mind.