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 began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.
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.
@Angie2345: I’m sorry your going thru it as well but glad to know I’m not alone
Report comment
@KDinAZz: Don’t refile it may cause conflict and further delay of your refund.
Report comment
@KDinAZz: I am going through the same thing. It has never taken this long before. I filed yesterday.
Report comment
@KDinAZz: I filed yesterday with Freetax as well and was just accepted 5 minutes ago.
Report comment
Filed yesterday and still have not been accepted yet. Has anyone else ever experienced this?
Report comment
@Alex: ok I thought they
Would have to get processed again
Report comment
@Michael: because the IRS still has not accepted my taxes its been over 24 hours now and usualy its within 15 minutes.
Report comment
@mona: Thank you! This is the first time for PATH for me. I’m not sure why I am. Hr block did our taxes so hopefully they did them right. I called just waiting to hear back from them 🙄
Report comment
@mona: no, got are just waiting on the release code!
Report comment
Hello, does anyone know what’s the income limit for married filling joint?
Report comment
This morning around 9am my as of date changed to 2/20 now it is back to 2/13. Did anyone else’s do that?
Report comment
@KDinAZz: why would you refile when you just filed yesterday 🤔
Report comment
@msjones724: Should have no bearings on your last name. I didn’t legally change my last name until a few years ago. My husband and I had been married at least 14 or 15 years when I went to SSA. Although I would file with my maiden last name, I could still see our transcripts on my account, because my social security number did not change.
Report comment
@Gwen: Feb 15
Report comment
When does path lift?
Report comment
@Tarabel: ???
Report comment
@mona: 👀👀
Report comment
My transcript updated and have a as of date of 2/13 codes 150 806 766 768 and have wmr message for path act. what is next in my refund? Is my refund processed and done with and will see a date for refund or will they have to process again the taxes
Report comment
Still waiting to get accepted…filed yesterday with freetaxusa…went to see if I should refile and the other sites are a headache compared to freetaxusa. Guess I’m gonna wait til Friday and refile it not accepted then
Report comment
@Walter DOG: i have all codes except 846. I got 150 806 and 768.
Report comment
@Malia: Exactly!!! It won’t let me see anything and I’m so used to being able to see updates via transcripts and I feel like I’m in the dark . Very frustrating. I thought wmr would have some update by now but it’s still early I guess
Report comment
@Audra
Just wanted to let you know that I just now got a deposit from OH for the debt being taken from state and federal taxes. Guess they are on it this year lol!
Report comment
@msjones724: I’m wondering the same thing. As I got married last year and changed my name as well but on my online transcript’s still has my maiden name. I filed 1/23 as well wmr says it been received but I still want to know if I can check transcripts to see when things update
Report comment
I’ve been a weekly for years. I just went to check my transcripts for the fun of it and they are all filled in minus the 846. I’m now a DAILY cycle code ends in 02 now. YAY!
Report comment
@Desdabest: oh ok thanks
Report comment
Hi all. So not sure if anyone would know, but I got married last yr so it’s first yr filing married jointly. My online IRS account still has my maiden name so it won’t show anything on the transcript. But we got accepted Jan 23rd we didn’t qualify for the EITC this yr but we did claim credit for our 4 kids. No update yet on wmr but just wasn’t sure if there was any other way I can view my transcript online or since my name changed I gotta look request it by mail?
Report comment
@LWBOSS: the feb 13th just the processing date. Your refund will process for a ddd for after the 15th
Report comment
I’d my 2022 transcript is NA does that mean I won’t get a return soon? Is it possible they update right before DD?
Report comment
If transcripts are not up for 2022 does that necessarily mean I will not get my return in the next week or 2?
Report comment
As of date still 2/13/23 … don’t think I was resequenced.. so transcript should update Friday/Saturday .. it didn’t push out a week to 2/20/23 which usually means you were resequenced
Report comment
Antone having trouble checking their refund? It was “Processing” yesterday but now they can’t find my return.
Is the system down?
Report comment
@Alienmoon: You may not have finished processing yet to place the credit codes. There are quite a few that are in a similar situation.
Report comment
@Walter DOG: oh ok, I thought it will do that thanks.
Report comment