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.
@Walter DOG: The Wmr is reflecting the length of time you’ve been in the system. That the processing has been delayed. It doesn’t know anything but that. Then when a review or audit code posts, it will reflect that. But, if you’re under the path freeze, it’s going to update to the path message because of those path credits and reflect that. There will be those that can’t see their transcripts and think because they updated to path on the Wmr, they’re good to go. But as soon as that freeze lifts, a few may see an update of a review/audit reference code on the Wmr instead of a refund date.
@Daniel: Thanks. Yes, the as of date is Feb. 20
@Walter DOG: For the ones that updated to the 570 today, there may be Wmr change tomorrow to a reference code like an 1181 or a 1221. Really depends on the severity of the review.
@DAZEDNconfused23: see the comments from Mike and me below. This is not unusual and you will likely see everything else fill in on Friday. On your Account Transcript was the As of date 2/20?
@Mike: thank you for sharing Mike. I completely agree with your assessment which was also my assumption. I just hope others can see that this isn’t always a clear and linear process. I’ve seen many people get very anxious when others that filed later than they did receive their refunds before them. It really doesn’t mean there is anything wrong and it just takes some patience until you can see some additional data online, eg codes, notice, or if you call and the IRS gives you additional information.
I filed and was accepted on January 27th. I just checked WMR and I have TT152. Transcripts are:
Return-N/A,
Record of Account-N/A,
Account 2022-No record of return filed
Wage 2022-No record of return filed
I did not file last year but before that, I was a weekly. What could be the issue?
@Walter DOG: I got the same message as you this morning. I also realized my 21 days are up since being accepted, so it could just be automatic
@Sheila_33: Hey Sheila Hiw would wmr know to give you a message like the ones we have if something was wrong like getting 570 code before you processed and transcript even updated understand my question hard to put into words
@Monee Unlogged: It did the same And then I updated the following week no problems
Hello all..
I got 810 freeze code says as of 2/13
971 code as of 2/13
Examination code as 1/27. Wmr states path message
@KGray23: I don’t have any codes. My account transcript is all 0s. I felt like something was wrong because my as of date kept moving forward and then changing back.
@Daniel: Mayan was exactly the same same date accepted everything but I updated last Friday for a deposit tomorrow so I’m sure you just got pushed forward a week and you’ll be updating this Friday for next Wednesday
@Walter DOG: there is no delay message. It is still processing and refund date will be provided when available.
I TALKED to NYS rep and she stated because they are behind the federal returns they used “further review” as a way to tell us we they have our returns and it’s going to take awhile.
@Daniel: Is it just Still being processed no refund date when available and no Delay message yet
@Monee: Did you have codes on your transcript? How did you know something was wrong with your return
@Wyatt: have you received your state refund yet? I was trying to get an idea of deposit date. Mine was approved yesterday