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.
Hi Guys, I’ve been using this site for years and the regular posters amaze me with their dedication to helping others. You guys are awesome!
So, I filed my federal with TT 2/20/23, Accepted 2/21. Transcripts were blank (& only account and wages visible but all zeros & as of date was 2/13/23) until the last update on friday (2/3) where it populated with cycle code 20230505 and as of date 2/20/23 early friday, and then back to 2/13/20 when i checked it later on which I thought was weird. 150, 806, 766 present. WMR Updated to path message Saturday. Wondering if im good and just waiting til next friday for path to lift and get my glorious 846.
@Vannyy They may just want to verify the winnings.
@Mary: on my 2021 transcripts
@Mary: i entered everything from my w2
@RayC: ok 🙏🏻
@Vannyy did you put in all the information that was on the W-2G you received?
@Vannyy: thats all normal codes. start checking around the 14th,15th on your transcripts. You should see refund code 846 then.
@Walter DOG: Hey how are you?Nothing has changed..still delay message and the lovely 570
@Sheila_33: Hey how are you?I don’t have anything different than last year.Back in June I won a 10,000 scratch ticket I brought on my way back from a cruise.When I went to cash it in.They took 2400 out smh.That amount was in the federal withheld.The lady said I should add it and I did.Thats the only thing..Now a 570 wow
@Vannyy You are good negative signs are good.
That was for last year taxes or this year?
@Monee: did you happen to get the advance monthly child payments you know the 250 and 300 dollars for 6 months just wondering trying to get a pattern or something
I question so as long as I have negative next to amounts on code 806 766 768 that good? It adds up to amount negative on account balance on top
Of transcripts! Im on path message as of two weeks now as of date 2/13/2023
My prepaid card is card.com, The Bankcorp Bank. This is the 1st year I have used this card . Does anyone know if they deposit early for tax refunds or do they wait for the actual deposit date?
Does anyone know how to speak with a live rep at Santa Barbra
@Claudia: thank you I can’t access my transcripts at this time so I can’t check them i’am hoping for a update I just had a simple w2
@Sheila_33: I filed my taxes on Jan 27 got accepted jan30 and last week only my account transcript updated will all 0.00 but the other 2 say N/A I can’t access my transcript at this time
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: Definitely. My daughter just became a daily after 10 years lol.
@PayMeplease: I believe it’s automated .. I just got the same email and I currently have the path message … all good codes just waiting for the 17th for the 846 release code
Just got the email from turbo tax saying thanks for filing .. refund on the way .. which I usually get when I’m on the PATH message … about a week or so before its lifted
@Thatchic Cherri: If you have 05 a few years in a row, most likely you are weekly. Mine fluctuates, like 05, 04, 05, 03 etc. That is daily.
@Stillwaitinginfairburnga: Yes you can.. I was weekly for 11 years after a soft audit. But I changed to daily this year
@PayMeplease: yes they sent me the same message it’s automated.
I got a email from turbo tax that said My Refund is on its way,
Says congrats you did it.
Thanks for choose turbo tax
Your refund is on its way … but I don’t have any irs updates via wmr or transcripts. Is this email valid? Is it automated??? Like whaaa? And I filed 1/23 accepted 1/24
@Sheila_33: I can’t access my transcripts right now but for last 10 plus years I have always been weekly do you think I can become daily this year
@Thatchic Cherri: This link can explain it in depth. But basically dailies can also process the same day as weeklies.
https://igotmyrefund.com/daily-weekly/
I have the “still being processed” message n/a on my transcripts and “not processed” on my irs profile
I have path message on wmr. All good codes on transcript, amounts all filled out with computer totals too. As of Feb. 20, 2023 date. But my 2021 and 2018 transcripts also have as of Feb 20,2023. I didn’t file in 2020, any idea what it could mean and why some of my past tax transcripts have an as of date this year?
@Walter DOG: I had the being processed message and then the delayed message. My transcripts have been all 0s for 2 weeks and stuck on 2/13. No codes or notices for me.
@Melvynjake: yes. It changed Monday for me
@Melvynjake: what was your wmr message before that delay message pooped up
Hey everyone hope everyone is well have a quick question about Iowa tax refund. I haven’t received a state refund from Iowa in about 5 to 7 years and always had to pay in. This year is the first time in that many years. How long after filing does it take to get it. It stated that the return was received and now being reviewed for accuracy. Has anyone from Iowa received their state refund yet