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.
@Sharon. O: does your account transcript has your name address and filing status with 0 or nothing but just 0
@Walter DOG: A 971 might trigger that but if their transcripts are n/a it’s hard to say.
@Sharon. O: what’s your wmr say right now
@Amy19: So it sounds like I’m just waiting until the PATH lifts and I should get a DD date shortly after? I’ve always been a weekly so I’m sure I still am. I was just curious about the 0405 and where I would fall for DD. Thank you so much for your response!
@Walter DOG: I am also N/A on top transcripts. My accountant transcript has all zeros with 2/13 as of date. No codes. Got a 60 day letter today saying they need more time to verify earnings, withholdings etc. Says I need to do nothing at this time. Again no codes.
@FunnyGirl881: 20230405….year, week then day….this year, 4th week, 5th day….day 5 is a Thursday. Thursday can be daily or weekly. Look back at previous years, if there is 05 for the last 3 or 4 years you are a weekly.
Just got a letter today saying my taxes where selected for review and that it will take up to 60 days. Is this because I filed early?
@804VA: That’s usually I’d verify but if it’s not then wait it could be nothing but login to your account and see if you have id verify you can google irs id verify/gov login to identification of tax return and if it prompts you to enter code then it’s id verify it can take a week to show up
@Benita: My SPTPG also says I’m funded but everything else is there
@RayC: wow. Do u kno what causes u to switch like tht?
@Sheila_33: Hey Sheila there’s a couple people on the sister page who’s transcripts are all NA but received a letter today to verify wages and withholdings I thought you had to process and get a code this is what I kinda been talking about
I’m a PATHer who has always been weekly. Can someone tell me what the cycle code 20230405 means in terms of day off the week or how the cycle code breaks down aside from being weekly/daily? Thank you in advance
@Walter DOG: lmao so true . We just should be happy they pay us and not make us swing with the fishes for our little money !!
@Amy19: yeessss I’m definitely thankful for tht change. Hanging tight fir tht 846 lol. Thanks for breaking tht down for me too. I understand how it works now
@Walter DOG
@Sheila_33
I went to my local
IRS OFFICE they said I have to call and make an appointment they gave me a number I spoke to
Them they said I CANT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT U LESS I HAVE A LETTER AND they said NO LETTER HAS BENT SENT OUT FOR ME TO VERIFY MY ID. THEY SAID I HAVE TO WAIT Until THE 13th to call back
I filed on the 1/20/2023
Accepted 1/21/23
My WMR SAYS “it is STILL BEING PROCESSED “ with zero BARS
MY REFUND AMOUNT IS VISIBLE on the side bar
NO TAX TOPIC 152
My transcripts are BLANK
at the bottom it says NO RETURN FILED
ZERO CODES
***PLEASE HELP*** anyone I. This same boat?!
@LoveMy3Munchkins: It is great that you went from a 05 to 02 this tax season. It goes year, week then day. So last year you were 20220605….6th week, day 5, which was a Thursday. This year you are 20230602….6th week, day 2, which is a Monday. Now just hang on to het the 846 when the PATH lifts.
@LoveMy3Munchkins: it does happen. I been a weekly for 10 years and this year I am a daily. My cycle code is different as well, even though it had been the same for 10 years. We are pathers.