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 āqueueā 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.
@KGray23: I filed my Indiana refund on 1/20, was approved on 1/23 and I got my DD on 2/6
@PNC: mine is missing also. I wouldnāt worry. It did that last year too and I got my DD on 2/21.
Anyone else not able to update filing details?
@Mel: I haven’t gotten any thing yet. I filed Jan 29th I’m just waiting on Friday.
@Janel120: Seems a pattern though. most of us have gotten ID verification letters
@Janel120: I agree. It seems that things are moving quicker for a lot not on the PATH and a bit slower for those on the PATH. Then it hinges on daily vs. weekly. Hopefully a lot of weekly movement on Friday and even more once the PATH lifts.
@PNC: I lost my amount when the PATH message showed up. Same for others. Guessing it is normal until the PATH lifts.
@PNC:me too
I was updated to PATH two weeks ago, but my refund amount is missing, does anyone knows what that means?
Hey everyone I’ve been reading some of yall post. Let’s do logic alot of people have N/A for the top two on their transcripts and 2022 populated at the bottom with no return filed. As of date 2-20-2023 not everyone have an issue it just you haven’t process yet some have been updating during the week but their cycle code ends 01, 02 etc if you have 05 you more than likely will update Friday. I just don’t see everyone having the same problem it’s just the system moving different this year.
@Momof3helpme: I know it is beyond frustrating not updating. Hopefully yours finishes processing this week. If not, at least a notice shows up so you know what is going on.
@Momof3helpme: It seems that others have been half filled out since last week. Hopefully Friday there is an update that finishes filling in the transcripts. It is like the process started but could not finish. I wouldnāt panic, just keep your eye on it.
@Sally831: I’ll be curious if mine updates too. I filed a little bit before you, but I can’t access my transrcripts till tomorrow (updating phone and won’t have access to the IDme 2factor authorization text till tomorrow).
@Frank Garrett – Southpark IRS Agent (aka buckey12):
Okay thanks, I got my notification of being accepted thatās all for KY now being processed. I filed my Fed and state 1/24. ( pather 05 weekly) been on path for a few weeks now. Transcripts processing date still Feb 13th as well so far for my Fed.
@shelia33: HRU, I filed and accepted on 1/25 I am a PATHER, however when I check the IRS website it shows “No tax returned filed, and my 2022 transcripts have N/A in the first two boxes, any idea when they may update?
@Kymama84: Not yet for me. My federal was accepted, but I haven’t received a notification from KY. I’ve always had a delay of a few weeks between the two being accepted.
Anyone in Kentucky got their state yet? I havenāt saw anything anywhere. Kentucky started processing this week 2-6.
@Amy19: return transcript and record of account transcript both n/a for 2022. No notices. It just says my return has not been processed when I login to irs.gov