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.
@NervousTaxPayer: thanks what does your wmr say
@Walter DOG: no
@Yandyy: haven’t processed got the delay message do you have any new codes that popped up on any of your prior years transcripts and what does your wmr say
@NervousTaxPayer: that’s weird did you file injured Spouse relieve
@Walter DOG: 4/20/2023
@Sheila_33: Hey how are you Yes hopefully it’s something that can be resolved. 570 is not good to get..
@Walter DOG: Hey how are you this evening. Well Nothing has changed. Still 570..How about you?
@NervousTaxPayer: so what’s your as of date
@Nikki_1220: Its rare but it can happen.
@Walter DOG: Oh sorry. No it’s the actual date not a code
This year is something a lot of people on Facebook page got the delay message and a few of them already got letters for review and wage and income verification don’t know what to think this year
@NervousTaxPayer: what do you mean as of date 4/20 do you mean you have code 420 or as of date 4/2023 don’t understand to help
Hello can someone help me I’m back for another tax year but my trans have all updated with as of date 2/20 all go codes on path but my question is can bad codes happen once path lifts or I’m done and just waiting on date
My As of date is 4/20. Is that bad
Why still have (path) and they still stealing money
@bulldogsfan: I don’t think we will see any DDD until after the path lifts on 2/15. That’s all that’s holding us up if everything correctly processed. However, this Friday we could see all our transcripts except the wage one, populate and show all our codes and such. Then we should know more. Then WMR should update to the path message Saturday (possibly). Hopefully all will go well. So just check your transcripts Friday – they update all day. I’ll be right here with you and others in this similar situation.
@Sheila_33: actually we filed separately, due to him paying child shipping and get to file his your son per court. So yea we 1 year newly wed but this year I decided to still file separately. Next year we’d file together.
@helpme: I had the same issue and just gave up. Paid my fees in advance and picked my own bank account for the deposit. It was stressful i tried for over an hour
@Whyisthissostressful: same here!
@Sheila_33: so ur saying probably won’t get it till the 24th then or later if u have to say??
@Sheila_33: I don’t have any new codes on my prior years just the as of date for those two years this is nerve racking I got audited in 2020 but got my refund
@Jenny04: In the past, I’ve seen those deposit on the same day the 846 posted but this year, they seem a little slower. Holiday on that following Monday so I just don’t know how that will play out. Weekly, maybe Friday evening but just a guess hun.